B Guller, F Yaylaci

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The aim of our study is to compare the children between the ages of 6 and 16 being in quarantine or hospitalised for at least 14 days with suspicion of COVID-19 and their parents and the children without suspicion of COVID-19 and their parents in terms of their mental exposure level. Methods: A list of questions, investigating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in children and parents and prepared by arranging DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, The Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale – Parent Form, DSM-5 Level 2 Sleep Disorder Scale 6-17 Age Parents Form and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, were answered by parents. Results: The mean score of DSM-5 Level 2 Sleep Disorder Scale (respectively 16.72±8.31, 14.34±6.37) and the rate of confrontation of DSM-5 PTSD diagnostic criteria (respectively 8.5%, 2.9%) were statistically significantly higher in the study group of children compared to the control group (p<0.05). Mean score of the depression scale (respectively 8.37±3.70 and 6.97±3.63) and the rate of confrontation of DSM-5 PTSD diagnostic criteria (respectively 16.3%, 7.9%) were statistically notably higher in the parents of study group compared to the control group (p<0.05). In addition to this, a statistically important positive correlation was found between anxiety and depression levels of the parents and anxiety, depression and sleep scores of the children for all of them (p<0.05). Conclusion: Direct exposure to the COVID-19 poses a higher risk for both children and their parents in the emergence of psychiatric symptoms than those without any direct exposure.