School Attendance as a Potential Protective Factor Against COVID-19 Related Trauma Symptoms in Children

• In Event: Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: PS 12 Topic - Solicited Content: COVID-19 Related

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has been found to increase stress, anxiety, and depression for those confined in their homes (Wang et al., 2020). With many provinces in Canada following strict isolation regulations due to the pandemic, many children remained at home rather than attend school. Like any catastrophic event, children can develop trauma symptoms regarding COVID-19 such as sleeping disturbances, avoidance of triggers, and irritability (Imran et al., 2020). One protective factor against childhood trauma is external social support through positive school experiences, peer relationships and relationships with non-caregiving adults (Werner & Smith, 1992). Specifically, school can be a source of support for children who are at risk following a traumatic event (Masten, 2003). In fact, following such event, school support seems to be more influential in promoting resilience in children over time than parental support (O’Donnell et al., 2002). Given these findings, the current study investigated whether school attendance during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic influenced children’s trauma symptomology. Gender and age differences were also investigated.

The sample comprised of 133 Canadian children (boys = 70, girls = 60) from 97 families (Mage = 9.02, rangeage= 7-12). Of this total, 73.6% were White, 12.4% were Mixed Race, 4.7% were Black, 3.1% were Asian, 3.1% were Latino/a, and the remainder (3.1%) identified other backgrounds. Parents completed an online survey in June 2020. Children’s trauma symptoms regarding COVID-19 were measured using eight items deemed observable by parents from the Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale (Deeba et al., 2014). Parents were also asked about child’s school attendance and adherence to COVID-19 regulations.

Most children (56.2%) attended school online, 6.9% attended in person, and 36.9% did not attend school at all. Generalized estimating equations, to account for the nested nature of the data (i.e., siblings), revealed that school attendance predicted decreased COVID-19 related trauma symptoms in children (B= -0.46, SE= 0.07, p= .03). Parents of children who attended school online or physically reported less trauma-related symptoms than parents of children who did not attend school during the first wave of COVID-19. This result was significant above and beyond child gender, age, and ethnicity, parents’ education level, COVID-19 regulations adherence, and any alternative explanation for increased in child’s trauma symptoms. Lastly, no gender or age differences emerged in the previous association.

Studies have shown that COVID-19 distancing requirements are worsening children and family’s mental health (Wang et al., 2020). Although a small sample size, the current study results highlight the importance of school attendance during COVID-19 distancing regulations to protect against trauma-related symptoms. Indeed, school attendance appears to be an important factor in preventing trauma symptoms above several other factors. This study suggests that every effort should be made to accommodate children safely within school settings, including the use of online teaching.

Authors

• Elizabeth St. John, University of Ottawa
  Presenting Author

• Philip MacGregor, University of Ottawa
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jonathan Smith, University of Sherbrooke
  Non-Presenting Author

• Fanny-Alexandra Guimond, University of Ottawa
  Non-Presenting Author