Are the Kids Really Alright? COVID-19-Related Fears of Contamination and Social Distancing in Elementary Schoolchildren

• In Event: Poster Session 09
  In Poster Session: PS 09 Topic - Solicited Content: COVID-19 Related

Abstract

Background: Children may be susceptible to psychological effects of the novel 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) because they may have less understanding of the virus and suffer from disruptions to normal day-to-day life that can limit opportunities for learning and socioemotional development. This study examined COVID-related fears of contamination and social distancing in elementary schoolchildren. We also examined the potential impact of socioeconomic status (SES) and direct and indirect exposure to the virus on COVID-related fears.

Methods: Sixty-four children (ages 7-10, 24 female) and 64 caregivers completed online surveys during May 2020 – two months after schools were released (March). Fifty-three of the N=64 additionally completed surveys during August 2020 – just before starting the new school year. Participants were students from three elementary schools (2 public, 1 private) in the Detroit area (Michigan, USA), a COVID-19 hotspot. Caregiver-report of child race/ethnicity was 67.2% Black/non-Hispanic, 26.6% White/non-Hispanic, and 6.2% other. As a measure of SES, 6.3% of caregivers had a high school degree, 34.4% had some college, and 59.3% reported a college degree or greater. Surveys examined child COVID-related fears of social distancing and contamination using the Fear of Illness and Virus Evaluation (Ehrenreich-May, 2020). Caregivers reported on their child’s direct and indirect exposure to the coronavirus.

Results: During May, the majority (>60%) of children were afraid they would get the virus, and 89% reported fear that a family member might get sick or die because of the virus (see Fig.1A). The majority also reported fears related to social distancing (Fig.1B). Importantly, there was an increase in COVID-related fears of contamination from May to August, t(52)=3.5, p=0.001. (Fig.1C). Direct or indirect exposures to the coronavirus (Fig. 2) were not associated with fears in children during May. In August, however, both direct and indirect exposures to the coronavirus were associated with higher fears of viral contamination (t’s>2, p’s<0.04). Higher caregiver education was associated with a lower fear of contamination in August (r(53)=-0.3, p=0.024) and with lower fear regarding social distancing (r’s<-0.26, p’s<0.05) in May and August.

Conclusions: Although our results demonstrate variability in children’s fears about viral contamination and social distancing, the majority of children endorsed feeling afraid. Importantly, fear of contamination increased from May to August, which may be associated with additional stressors associated with the start of a new school year. Fear in August was further exacerbated by direct or indirect exposure to the virus, suggesting that exposure may increase the personal relevance (to themselves or to loved ones) of the threat. There was also evidence that COVID-19 affects lower vs. higher households differently, with lower frequency of indirect exposures and lower fear of social distancing among higher SES children. This is important given the reported socioeconomic disparities in the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, these data highlight the presence of COVID-related fears in elementary schoolchildren. They also underscore the need for research on evidence-based methods to promote mental health among particularly vulnerable (e.g., lower SES) pediatric populations during and after the pandemic.

Authors

• Hilary Marusak, Wayne State University
  Presenting Author

• Breanna Borg, Wayne State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Amanpreet Bhogal, Wayne State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Tanja Jovanovic, Wayne State University
  Non-Presenting Author