Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the general psychiatric disorders and state anxiety levels of children and adolescents who visited the child psychiatry outpatient clinic during the first three months of the pandemic. Sociodemographic Data Form, collected the basic sociodemographic information (age, gender, parental education, etc.) and children’s awareness and knowledge level of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Child Behavior Checklist-Parent Form (CBCL), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), and Children Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) were used to evaluate behavioural and emotional problems, anxiety and global functioning. The study included a total of 62 female (mean age 13.72±2.44) and 38 male (mean age 12.98±2.95) children and adolescents aged 6-18 who visited the Child Psychiatry outpatient clinic of Tekirdağ State Hospital between 1 April 2020 and 30 June 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic (n=100). The level of knowledge about the pandemic and prevention from COVID-19 viruses was at a moderate level. STAIC scores were significantly higher in girls (p=0.016). To assess variables that could predict Children Global Assesment Scale (CGAS) scores, the best predictors of the CGAS scores were anxiety score. In conclusion, it is suggested that the mental health of children and adolescents should be monitored carefully during pandemics.

Key words: COVID-19 pandemic, anxiety, depression, child psychiatry