THE IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN OF 8-12 YEARS OLD OF A PRIVATE SCHOOL IN CASCAVEL DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

With the onset of the covid-19 pandemic, there was a sudden change in the population's routine, and children and adolescents were subjected to forced social distancing, which can have an impact on mental health. This research aims to evaluate the influence on behavior change, analyzing possible depressive disorders in children aged 8 and 12 years, during the Covid-19 pandemic. A qualitative cross-sectional study was carried out between March and October 2021, investigating possible changes in mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic period, in children aged 8 and 12 years old in a private school in the city of Cascavel in the state of Paraná, through the demographic questionnaire and by the CDI. 78 children were interviewed, aged 8 and 12 years who are attending the 3rd and 7th year of elementary school, respectively, of which 34.61% achieved a score equal to or above 17 points on the CDI, and the average score obtained in the survey it was 0.53 with a standard deviation of 0.40. It is concluded that the mental health of children and adolescents was affected during the covid-19 pandemic period, which highlights the importance of social interaction, especially during childhood.