Vulnerable preschoolers mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic in Argentina: A cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT

Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, children have presented with increased psychiatric symptoms. Little research has been done regarding early childhood mental health, particularly those from vulnerable socioeconomic contexts who are exposed to adversity. We aimed to assess mental health and the impacts of the pandemic on this population. A survey and the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire were administered to the caregivers of preschoolers who were enrolled in a food-assistance programme. The participants were 807 preschoolers from the City of Buenos Aires, Argentina, which was ranked among the cities with the longest lockdown. Around 39% of preschoolers were classified as having a ‘possible/probable’ psychiatric disorder. Externalizing problems were predominant. Most caregivers (82.78%) reported increased psychological symptoms during the lockdown, mostly externalizing problems. Caregivers’ burdens were associated with the severity, duration, and exacerbation of their child’s symptoms. Further research should continue to monitor preschoolers’ well-being, with the goal of preventing future problems.

KEYWORDS:

• Preschooler
• Covid19
• quarantine
• mental health
• vulnerable children

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, Agustina Aragón-Daud, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Inter-American Development Bank: [Grant Number RG-T3106].

Notes on contributors

Agustina Aragón-Daud

Agustina Aragón-Daud. Research intern at Institute of Cognitive and Translational Neuroscience (INCyT) (INECO Foundation-Favaloro University-CONICET). Advanced undergraduate student in Psychology at Favaloro University, Argentina, class of 2022. She has experience as a research assistant at the Child and Youth Department and Neuropsychology Department in the INCyT, Argentina. She also worked as an editor for the book ‘Salud Publica y Mental Mental: del paragidma asilar al comunitario’ written by Prof. de Lellis. Awarded three times the Academic Merit Award offered by Santander Río Bank and seven consecutive semesters the Academic Excellence Scholarship offered by Favaloro University. Placed 1st out of +30 in the 2022 class for Psychology.

Andrea Abadi

Andrea Abadi. Child and adolescent psychiatrist and Director of the Child and Youth Department at the Institute of Cognitive Neurology, Argentina. Master’s degree in Psychoneuropharmacology at Favaloro University, Argentina; MD specializing in Psychiatry from Buenos Aires University, Argentina. Experience in research, diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents with behavioural management disorders, academic difficulties, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, depression, bipolarity, anxiety, obsessive disorder, ASD and emotional dysregulation.

Pablo López

Pablo López. Clinical psychologist and Academic Director of the Institute of Cognitive Neurology, and Director of Psychology Licentiate and professor at Favaloro University. PhD degree in Medicine from Favaloro University, 2013. He graduated from Psychology Licentiate with honours and specialized in Cognitive Psychotherapy and Research Design and Statistical analysis. He has vast experience in research onmental health topics, especially attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). On 2014 he received the ‘Nerio Rojas’ award for the best work in Legal Psychiatry from the International Congress of the AAP and was distinguished as an outstanding academic at the first International Symposium organized by the National University of Concepción, Paraguay.

Fernando Torrente

Fernando Torrente. Clinical Psychologist, Director of the Department of Cognitive Psychotherapy at the Institute of Cognitive Neurology, Dean of Favaloro University's Faculty of Human and Behavioral Sciences. PhD in Medicine at Favaloro University, Psychology Licentiate from Buenos Aires University. He co-directs the Laboratory for Psychopathological Research of the INECO Foundation and is the author of various scientific articles published in international journals. His current research interests are related to motivation, emotion and affection, ADHD, evidence-based psychological treatments in major psychiatric disorders, and cognitive–behavioural therapy.

Francisco Musich

Francisco Musich. Child and adolescent psychologist, Head of the Child and Youth Department at the Institute of Cognitive Neurology, and Head of the Complex Cases Department of ETCI Foundation. PhD in Psychology focused on Applied Cognitive Neuroscience from Maimonides University, Argentina. He graduated Psychology Licentiate with honours from Buenos Aires University. His research interests are related to mental health in children and youth, autism spectrum disorder, and psychopathology. He is a Board Member of the Cognitive Neuroscience Council, International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders, and United Nations Institute for Research and Training.