Socio-Emotional Behaviors of Japanese Children during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

A novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has spread widely throughout the world. To reduce the spread of infection, children are prevented from going to school and have fewer opportunities for in-person communication. Such changes in the everyday lives of children might influence their socio-emotional behaviors; however, the whole picture of the possible impact was not well known. This study examined socio-emotional behaviors of Japanese children (aged 4-9) during the pandemic and compared the data to the data before the pandemic. Children's socio-emotional behaviors in an everyday context was assessed using the parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. The results indicated that during the pandemic, children were more prosocial and experienced more problems in their peer relationships, but no differences were found in emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity between before and during the pandemic. The findings suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has mixed impacts on children's socio-emotional behaviors, implying that this topic should be considered in broader and fuller perspectives. Socio-emotional behaviors of Japanese children during the COVID-19 pandemicThe global spread of a new coronavirus, known as SARS-CoV-2, has dramatically changed the way we live. Among those most affected are children, who have had to adapt to not attending school and having limited face-to-face interactions with others. This shift in their daily lives could be affecting their social and emotional behaviors, but until now, the full extent of these impacts hasn't been clear. This study focused on Japanese children between the ages of 4 and 9 to see how the pandemic has influenced their social and emotional development. By comparing parents' observations from before and during the pandemic using a questionnaire, researchers were able to assess changes in the children's behavior. The findings reveal a mixed picture. During the pandemic, children seemed to behave more kindly and helpfully toward others, yet they struggled more in forming and maintaining friendships. Interestingly, there were no significant changes in how often they showed emotional distress, behaved badly, or were hyperactive compared to before the pandemic. These results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has had varied effects on children's social and emotional behaviors. This suggests that our understanding of these impacts needs to be viewed from a broader perspective, taking into account the different ways children are responding to the changes in their lives.