Children's resilience during Covid-19 confinement. A child's perspective-Which general and media coping strategies are useful?

This study explored how children (9-13 years old) coped with the uncertain situation during the first Covid-19 confinement period (Spring 2020) and whether media helped them handle the situation. Based on a survey among 667 West-European (Belgian) children, we concluded that children used various strategies to cope with the situation. Seeking social support via social media and searching for distraction was applied by most children. Creating a comforting atmosphere was used by many, although not evaluated as an effective strategy. Whereas older children searched for Covid-19-related information, younger children indicated to avoid news media to regulate their emotions. The Covid-19 anxiety of parents in the confinement period impacted upon the general level of concerns of their children. The results offer policy recommendations on how to support children in handling the tensive Covid-19 situation, especially during lockdown periods.

Automated summary

Children employed various coping strategies during the uncertain times of the first Covid-19 confinement period, including seeking social support through social media and searching for distractions. While many children tried to create a comforting atmosphere, this was not deemed as effective. Older children tended to seek Covid-19 related information, whereas younger children avoided news media to regulate their emotions. The anxiety levels of parents during the confinement period had an impact on the general concerns of their children. The study provides policy recommendations on supporting children during tense Covid-19 situations, especially in lockdown periods.