Dataset Information

Return to school and mask-wearing in class during the COVID-19 pandemic: Student perspectives from a school simulation study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study examined children's perspectives about returning to in-person school following lockdown due to the pandemic and about mask-wearing in class, as well as the mental health of children and parents during the pandemic.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was part of a 2-day school simulation exercise that randomized students to different masking recommendations. Parent-report of mental health and post-simulation child-report of COVID-19-related anxiety and mask-wearing were analyzed using descriptive and multiple regression analyses. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with older students to supplement questionnaire data.

Results

Of 190 students in this study, 31% were in grade 4 or lower 95% looked forward to returning to in-person school. Greater child anxiety about COVID-19 was predicted by increased parent/caregiver anxiety (β=0.67; P<0.001), and lower parental educational attainment (β=1.86; P<0.002). Older students were more likely than younger students to report that mask-wearing interfered with their abilities to interact with peers (χ²(1)=31.16; P<0.001) and understand the teacher (χ²(1)=13.97; P<0.001). Students in the group that did not require masks were more likely than students in the masking group to report worries about contracting COVID-19 at school (χ²(1)=10.07; P<0.05), and anticipated difficulty wearing a mask (χ²(1)=18.95; P<0.001).

Conclusions

For children anxious about COVID-19, parental anxiety and education about COVID-19 may be targets for intervention. Future research should examine the impact of prolonged implementation of public health mitigation strategies in school on academic achievement and children's mental health.

SUBMITTER: Coelho SG

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9126272 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Return to school and mask-wearing in class during the COVID-19 pandemic: Student perspectives from a school simulation study.

Coelho Sophie G SG Segovia Alicia A Anthony Samantha J SJ Lin Jia J Pol Sarah S Crosbie Jennifer J Science Michelle M Matava Clyde T CT Parekh Rulan S RS Caldeira-Kulbakas Monica M Carroll Stacie S Greenwood Jodi L JL Panzera Giovanna G Imgrund Ryan R Osokin Konstantin K Korczak Daphne J DJ

Paediatrics & child health 20220505 Suppl 1

<h4>Objectives</h4>This study examined children's perspectives about returning to in-person school following lockdown due to the pandemic and about mask-wearing in class, as well as the mental health of children and parents during the pandemic.<h4>Methods</h4>This cross-sectional study was part of a 2-day school simulation exercise that randomized students to different masking recommendations. Parent-report of mental health and post-simulation child-report of COVID-19-related anxiety and mask-we ...[more]

PMID: 35620563

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Dataset Information

Return to school and mask-wearing in class during the COVID-19 pandemic: Student perspectives from a school simulation study.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Return to school and mask-wearing in class during the COVID-19 pandemic: Student perspectives from a school simulation study.

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