INFORMATION

Psicothema was founded in Asturias (northern Spain) in 1989, and is published jointly by the Psychology Faculty of the University of Oviedo and the Psychological Association of the Principality of Asturias (Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos del Principado de Asturias).
We currently publish four issues per year, which accounts for some 100 articles annually. We admit work from both the basic and applied research fields, and from all areas of Psychology, all manuscripts being anonymously reviewed prior to publication.

PSICOTHEMA
  • Director: Laura E. Gómez Sánchez
  • Frequency:
         February | May | August | November
  • ISSN: 0214-9915
  • Digital Edition:: 1886-144X
CONTACT US
  • Address: Ildelfonso Sánchez del Río, 4, 1º B
    33001 Oviedo (Spain)
  • Phone: 985 285 778
  • Fax: 985 281 374
  • Email:psicothema@cop.es

Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Children and Adolescents during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Transcultural Approach

Mireia Orgilés1, José Pedro Espada1, Elisa Delvecchio2, Rita Francisco3, Claudia Mazzeschi2, Marta Pedro3,and Alexandra Morales1

1 Universidad Miguel Hernández,
2 Università degli Studi di Perugia, and
3 Universidade Católica Portuguesa

Background: Despite being necessary to delay the spread of COVID-19, home confinement could have affected the emotional well-being of children and adolescents. Knowing which variables are involved in anxiety and depressive symptoms could help to prevent young people’s psychological problems related to lockdown as early as possible. This cross-sectional study aims to examine anxiety and depressive symptomatology in Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese children and adolescents in order to determine which variables are related to poorer well-being during the pandemic. Method: The parents of 515 children, aged 3-18 years old, completed an online survey. Children´s anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale-Parent Version, and depressive symptoms were measured with the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire-Parent Version. Results: We found differences in anxiety and depression between countries, with higher anxiety scores in Spanish children, and higher depression scores in Spanish and Italian children compared to the Portuguese. Anxiety and depressive symptoms were more likely in children whose parents reported  higher levels of stress. Conclusions: These findings are discussed in the light of detecting and supporting affected children as early as possible.

Ansiedad y Síntomas Depresivos en Niños y Adolescentes durante la Pandemia de la COVID-19: un enfoque transcultural. Antecedentes: a pesar de ser necesario para retrasar la propagación del COVID-19, el confinamiento podría haber afectado al bienestar emocional de niños y adolescentes. Conocer qué variables están involucradas en la ansiedad y depresión podría ayudar a prevenir en los niños los problemas psicológicos asociados al confinamiento lo antes posible. Este estudio transversal tiene como objetivo examinar la sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva en niños y adolescentes italianos, españoles y portugueses, para detectar qué variables están relacionadas con un peor bienestar durante la pandemia. Método: los padres de 515 niños de 3 a 18 años completaron una evaluación online. Los síntomas de ansiedad de los niños se evaluaron con la Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale-Parent Version, y los síntomas depresivos con el Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire-Parent Version. Resultados: se hallaron diferencias en la ansiedad y la depresión entre países, con mayor ansiedad en los niños españoles, y mayor sintomatología depresiva en los niños españoles e italianos, en comparación con los portugueses. Los síntomas de ansiedad y depresión eran más probables en niños cuyos padres informaron de un mayor nivel de estrés. Conclusiones: estos hallazgos se discuten con el propósito de detectar y apoyar a los niños afectados lo antes posible.

PDF

Impact factor 2022:  JCR WOS 2022:  FI = 3.6 (Q2);  JCI = 1.21 (Q1) / SCOPUS 2022:  SJR = 1.097;  CiteScore = 6.4 (Q1)