Abstract:

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the status of children in public care being affected by the COVID-19. Methods: The population of this descriptive study was composed of children between the ages of 7 and 12 living under the public care. 83 children were reached within the scope of the study. A questionnaire form, Beck Depression Scale for Children and State Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children were used as data collection tools. Data were analyzed using descriptive analyzes and difference analyzes. Statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05. Results: The mean age of the children is 11.18 ± 1.58 years. The mean fear score of the children due to the epidemic was 2.42 ± 1.34 according to themselves and 2.42 ± 1.22 according to the observer. The mean score of the children's Beck Depression Scale was determined as 5.51 ± 3.06. It was determined that 62.7% (n=52) were low and 37.3% (n=31) were moderately depressed. Both state (35.57 ± 6.16) and trait (38.43 ± 6.41) anxiety scores were found to be above the median value. It was determined that the depression and anxiety score averages of the children varied according to the genders and the parents' involvement with the child. Conclusion: It was determined that children in public care experienced moderate anxiety and depression during the pandemic process. It was observed that those who experienced anxiety and depression the most were men and children whose parents were not interested.

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