Research Article

The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic On Children's Rights And Psychosocial Status

Volume: 17 Number: 1 April 20, 2026
EN TR

The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic On Children's Rights And Psychosocial Status

Abstract

Objective: Children's rights emerged with the recognition of human rights and constitutional fundamental rights for children under eighteen. This study aimed to evaluate the attitudes and behaviors of parents towards children at home during the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of violation of children’s rights. Material and Method Parents whose children were hospitalized in the University Hospital Pediatric Service between January 2023 and June 2023 were included in the study (n: 3273). Parents with children with special needs, children aged between 0 and 36 months old, parents who did not want to participate in the study were not included in the study (n: 2733). There were 540 parents. Researchers administered a 38-question questionnaire, which is built by taking into our cultural condition account, to parents at the University Hospital Pediatrics Service. Results Among the participants, 70.4% were mothers, and 29.6% were fathers. The analysis indicated that fathers who took part in the survey engaged in child abuse less frequently than mothers at a statistically significant level. Furthermore, the severity of punishment administered by fathers to their children was statistically significantly lower than that of mothers. Regarding stress levels, 7.6% of mothers and 13.8% of fathers stated they weren’t stressed. Conclusion: In our study, it was found that 24.1% experienced verbal or physical violence within the family during the pandemic period. Analysis of the survey results indicates that the educational level of participating mothers and fathers does not show a statistically significant difference in the severity of punishment, the extent of child abuse, exposure to abuse by their own parents, or experiences of abuse.

Keywords

References

  1. 1. Dirican R. Childhood and children’s rights in the historical process. Journal of Child and Development. 2018;2(2):51-62.
  2. 2. Tuna C. Multidisciplinary approach to children's rights. (In Children's Rights with an Interdisciplinary Approach) Türkiye: Pegem A Publisher; 2020:75-98.
  3. 3. Ayhan M. The Effect of The Children’s Rights Curriculum Prepared for The Families of Preschool Children on The Attitude of Your Parents Children's Rights [master thesis]. Istanbul: Yıldız Technical University; 2021.
  4. 4. Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Türkiye; Circular on coronavirus measures to 81 provincial governorships [Internet]. [cited 2023 April 21] Available from: https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/81-il-valiligine-koronavirus-tedbirleri-konulu-ek-genelge
  5. 5. Karakoç Demirkaya S. Effects of forced migration on child mental health. Turkish J Clin Psy. 2020; 23(1): 5-6.
  6. 6. Bradbury‐Jones C, Isham L. The pandemic paradox: The consequences of COVID‐19 on domestic violence. J Clin Nurs. 2020;29(13-14):2047. doi: 10.1111/jocn.15296.
  7. 7. Dağ H, Doğan M, Sazak S, Kaçar A, Yılmaz B, Doğan A, et al. Current approach to children's rights. Cukurova Medical Journal. 2015;40(1):1-5.
  8. 8. Güler N, Uzun S, Boztaş Z, Aydoğan S. The behaviours of mothers who perform physical or emotional abuse/neglect of their children. CMJ. 2002; 24 (3):128 – 134

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Forensic Medicine

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

April 20, 2026

Submission Date

October 31, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 27, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 17 Number: 1

APA
Cenger, C. D., Doğan, A. H., Malkoç, M. A., Özçetin, M., Yıldız, İ., & Kılıç, A. (2026). The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic On Children’s Rights And Psychosocial Status. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, 17(1), 127-139. https://doi.org/10.22312/sdusbed.1809430
AMA
1.Cenger CD, Doğan AH, Malkoç MA, Özçetin M, Yıldız İ, Kılıç A. The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic On Children’s Rights And Psychosocial Status. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026;17(1):127-139. doi:10.22312/sdusbed.1809430
Chicago
Cenger, Cüneyt Destan, Adil Han Doğan, Mehmet Ali Malkoç, Mustafa Özçetin, İsmail Yıldız, and Ayşe Kılıç. 2026. “The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic On Children’s Rights And Psychosocial Status”. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 (1): 127-39. https://doi.org/10.22312/sdusbed.1809430.
EndNote
Cenger CD, Doğan AH, Malkoç MA, Özçetin M, Yıldız İ, Kılıç A (April 1, 2026) The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic On Children’s Rights And Psychosocial Status. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17 1 127–139.
IEEE
[1]C. D. Cenger, A. H. Doğan, M. A. Malkoç, M. Özçetin, İ. Yıldız, and A. Kılıç, “The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic On Children’s Rights And Psychosocial Status”, Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 127–139, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.22312/sdusbed.1809430.
ISNAD
Cenger, Cüneyt Destan - Doğan, Adil Han - Malkoç, Mehmet Ali - Özçetin, Mustafa - Yıldız, İsmail - Kılıç, Ayşe. “The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic On Children’s Rights And Psychosocial Status”. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 17/1 (April 1, 2026): 127-139. https://doi.org/10.22312/sdusbed.1809430.
JAMA
1.Cenger CD, Doğan AH, Malkoç MA, Özçetin M, Yıldız İ, Kılıç A. The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic On Children’s Rights And Psychosocial Status. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026;17:127–139.
MLA
Cenger, Cüneyt Destan, et al. “The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic On Children’s Rights And Psychosocial Status”. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol. 17, no. 1, Apr. 2026, pp. 127-39, doi:10.22312/sdusbed.1809430.
Vancouver
1.Cüneyt Destan Cenger, Adil Han Doğan, Mehmet Ali Malkoç, Mustafa Özçetin, İsmail Yıldız, Ayşe Kılıç. The Impact Of The COVID-19 Pandemic On Children’s Rights And Psychosocial Status. Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi. 2026 Apr. 1;17(1):127-39. doi:10.22312/sdusbed.1809430