IN THE SHADOW OF COVID-19: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SLEEP AND EMOTION IN SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN

Abstract

This descriptive and analytical study was conducted to determine the interplay between sleep patterns and emotional states of school-age children during the global pandemic. The sample of this descriptive and cross-sectional study consisted of 407 volunteer parents whose children were enrolled in a primary school in a province in the Western Black Sea Region. Data were collected online using the “Demographic Information Form,” the “Children's Sleep and Sleep Habits Questionnaire,” and the “Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.” The mean score for the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire was 16.69±5.77, while the mean score for the Sleep Habits Questionnaire was 57.31±10.88. Regarding the age variable, it was found that the 9-year-old group had significantly higher scores on both scales (p<0.0001). Children with low academic achievement demonstrated higher scores compared to those with moderate or high achievement levels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between increased emotional difficulties and heightened sleep-related problems (F=421.191; p < 0.05). It was concluded that the pandemic period adversely affected children's sleep hygiene and emotional well-being. These findings highlight the importance of implementing psychosocial protective measures and supportive nursing interventions during crisis periods to enhance children's health outcomes.

Keywords

• Behavioral responses
• Emotional well-being
• Psychosocial impact
• School-age children
• Sleep pattern

Supporting Institution

No financial support was received for this study.

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Non-Invasive Clinical Research Ethics Committee (Date: 18.06.2021, Number: 49795). Electronic informed consent was obtained from the legal guardians of all participants .

Thanks

This study was produced from the master's thesis of Mustafa TUNCA, completed in 2022 at Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Department of Child Health and Diseases Nursing (YÖKTEZ ID: 10513666). Additionally, this study was presented as an oral presentation at the 9th International Congress on Women, Child Health and Education held on May 7-8, 2022 .

COVID-19’un Gölgesinde: Çocuklarda Uyku ve Duygu İlişkisi

Abstract

Tanımlayıcı ve analitik nitelikteki bu araştırma, küresel salgın sürecinde okul çağı çocuklarının uyku paternleri ile duygusal durumları arasındaki etkileşimi belirlemek hedefiyle yürütülmüştür. Tanımlayıcı ve kesitsel tipteki araştırmanın örneklemini, Batı Karadeniz Bölgesi'ndeki bir ilin merkez ilçesindeki bir ilköğretim okulunda öğrenim gören 407 gönüllü ebeveyn oluşturmuştur. Veriler, “Demografik Bilgi Formu”, “Çocuklarda Uyku ve Uyku Alışkanlıkları Anketi” ve “Güçler ve Güçlükler Anketi” kullanılarak çevrimiçi ortamda toplanmıştır. Katılımcıların Güçler ve Güçlükler Anketi (GGA) puan ortalaması 16.69±5.77; Çocuk Uyku Alışkanlıkları Anketi (ÇUAA) puan ortalaması ise 57.31±10.88 olarak saptanmıştır. Yaş değişkenine göre 9 yaş grubundaki çocukların her iki ölçekten de anlamlı derecede yüksek puan aldığı belirlenmiştir (p < 0.001). Akademik başarısı düşük olan çocukların puanlarının, başarı düzeyi orta ve iyi olan akranlarına kıyasla istatistiksel olarak daha yüksek olduğu bulunmuştur (p < 0.05). Ayrıca, çocukların duygusal güçlük düzeylerindeki artışın, uyku sorunlarındaki artışla paralel bir seyir izlediği tespit edilmiştir (F = 421.191; p < 0.05). Pandemi döneminin çocukların uyku hijyeni ve ruhsal iyi oluş halleri üzerinde negatif yansımaları olduğu görülmüştür. Bu bulgular, kriz dönemlerinde çocuklara yönelik koruyucu psikososyal stratejilerin ve destekleyici hemşirelik girişimlerinin geliştirilmesinin gerekliliğini ortaya koymaktadır.

Supporting Institution

Bu çalışma için herhangi bir kurum veya kuruluştan finansal destek alınmamıştır.

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışma, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit Üniversitesi Girişimsel Olmayan Klinik Araştırmalar Etik Kurulu tarafından onaylanmıştır (Tarih: 18.06.2021, Sayı: 49795). Araştırmaya dahil edilen tüm katılımcıların yasal vasilerinden elektronik bilgilendirilmiş onam alınmıştır

Thanks

Bu çalışma, Mustafa TUNCA tarafından 2022 yılında Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Hemşireliği Ana Bilim Dalı bünyesinde savunulan yüksek lisans tez çalışmasından (YÖKTEZ ID: 10513666) üretilmiştir. Ayrıca, 7-8 Mayıs 2022 tarihlerinde düzenlenen 9. Uluslararası Kadın Çocuk Sağlığı ve Eğitimi Kongresi'nde sözel bildiri olarak sunulmuştur .

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