Dataset Information

Identifying vulnerable children's stress levels and coping measures during COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a mixed method study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected vulnerable children and youth. In Japan, despite evidence that the paediatric age group holds a lower risk of infection than the older population, there was a nationwide closure of schools as an early public health measure. Acknowledging that school closures brought heightened psychological and physical stress among Japanese children, we aimed to explore vulnerable children's experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, focusing on socially disadvantaged subset of the population.

Methods

We used an adapted version of the 'Perceived Stress Scale for Children', with additional free-text space, delivered online to children attending three non-profit organisations which provide support for this group of vulnerable persons and families experiencing social disadvantage. Simple descriptive analysis was undertaken on the quantitative data; we used thematic and content analysis for the qualitative data.

Results

Thirty-six children participated in the online survey, mean age was 11.3 years, majority (61%) were male. The mean overall stress score (score distribution width: 0-39) was 14.8, with no difference in score distribution by age or gender. Free-text responses obtained revealed a range of stressors and protective factors. Schooling, COVID-19 fears, family tension and pandemic measures were sources of stress; family-in particular, the support of the mother-food, friendship and recreation were sources of comfort. While most responses indicated positive coping mechanisms, some displayed maladaptive behaviours.

Conclusions

The children in this cohort had high mean stress scores overall. Responses indicated that they were acutely reactive to COVID-19 as well as pandemic public health measures, and that missing schooling and contact with friends exacerbated their stress. Family was a source of strength as well as stress. A tailored public health response to COVID-19 needs to take into account the concerns voiced by vulnerable child populations be based on equity and child rights.

SUBMITTER: Takeuchi H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8889347 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Identifying vulnerable children's stress levels and coping measures during COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a mixed method study.

Takeuchi Hajime H Napier-Raman Sharanya S Asemota Osamagbe O Raman Shanti S

BMJ paediatrics open 20220301 1

<h4>Background</h4>The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected vulnerable children and youth. In Japan, despite evidence that the paediatric age group holds a lower risk of infection than the older population, there was a nationwide closure of schools as an early public health measure. Acknowledging that school closures brought heightened psychological and physical stress among Japanese children, we aimed to explore vulnerable children's experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan, f ...[more]

PMID: 36053626

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Project description:(1) Background: This mixed-method study aims to identify and describe factors associated with acute and long-term parenting stressors and coping strategies in caregivers of children with intraluminal pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS). (2) Methods: Parents of children with severe PVS were recruited from a large quaternary hospital to complete a survey that included demographics, the Pediatric Inventory for Parents (PIP), and the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP). We determined the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) based on self-reported home address. A subset of caregivers completed a 60 min semi-structured interview via Zoom exploring the impact their child's diagnosis had on their family; experience managing stress in the hospital and at home; current resources and processes for coping; and potential recommendations for hospitals to build resilience and coping. We used multivariable linear regression to examine the association between SVI and parental stress and coping while adjusting for possible confounders. Thematic analysis identified themes related to stress and coping. Finally, we assessed instances of convergence and difference between the qualitative and quantitative results. (3) Results: Participants included 32 caregivers who were 91% female with a mean age of 39 years. The children of participants were 66% female, with a mean age of five years. The parents reported a high amount of stress with an average PIP score of 120, nearly 46 points higher than similar studies in the congenital heart community. We observed no significant associations between SVI and either parental stress or coping in adjusted models. We identified 13 themes, including medical care, hospital, family, support systems, and home medical routine or support. (4) Conclusions: Our study found high levels of illness-related parental stress among caregivers of children with PVS. Stress evolved over time from what caregivers described as 'survival mode' to a future-oriented outlook. Currently, caregivers rely heavily on support networks that are not available to all caregivers or may experience strain over time. Caregivers indicated that communication and parental role functioning were coping strategies that could be better supported by providers and health systems.

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Dataset Information

Identifying vulnerable children's stress levels and coping measures during COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a mixed method study.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Identifying vulnerable children's stress levels and coping measures during COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a mixed method study.

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