ArticleActa paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)2026
Behavioural and Emotional Symptoms Did not Increase During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Swedish Preschool Children.
Article in Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
aimThis study investigated whether behavioural and emotional problems among 3-year-olds increased during the COVID-19 epidemic in Sweden, a country that kept preschools open during the whole pandemic.
methodsThis was a cross-sectional study including 71 917 children in the Stockholm region whose parents had completed the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) prior to a routine well-baby clinic visit at age 3 years during 2018-2023. Multivariate linear regression was used to compare change in SDQ measures over time, and to compare change for children who attended preschool with children in home care in a difference in differences approach.
resultsMean and high scores on total as well as specific SDQ scales remained the same before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic for the children who attended preschool. For the children in home care the mean total estimate increased by 6.0% during the pandemic, compared with children attending preschool, with the highest increase for emotional symptoms, 14%, but gradually returned to the pre- COVID-19 level when the pandemic measures were lifted.
conclusionsThese results suggest a beneficial effect of the Swedish COVID-19 policy on behavioural and emotional symptoms of preschool children, with particular importance of keeping preschools open.
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