For the Greater Good: Isolating Young Children From Their Own Mothers During COVID-19. Was It a Good Idea? An Empirical Study

Abstract

Introduction: During the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments enacted strict measures to stop the spread of the virus. Among these was the recommendation that children with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 be isolated in a room at home. Methods: Through a longitudinal study with three waves and using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, the Child Behavior Checklist 1,5-5, and the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form, we intended to verify whether young children and their mothers showed psychopathological symptoms and distress as a result of quarantine separation. Results: Our results showed that mothers’ symptoms significantly increased from Time 1 to Time 2 and remained stable at Time 3, except for the anxious and depressive symptoms, which increased also at Time 3. Similarly, children’s problems significantly increased from Time 1 to Time 2 and remained stable and high at Time 3. Discussion: This descriptive study may help policy makers to consider the negative outcomes of quarantine separation for children’s and mothers’ psychological well-being in case of future pandemics.