Emotional reactions of hospitalized children due to COVID-19

Gjeorgjina Kuli- Lito; Alberta Shkembi; Elda Skenderi

doi:10.30574/wjarr.2024.24.2.3546

eISSN: 2581-9615 || CODEN: WJARAI || Impact Factor 8.2 || CrossRef DOI

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Emotional reactions of hospitalized children due to COVID-19

Gjeorgjina Kuli- Lito ¹, Alberta Shkembi ^{2, *} and Elda Skenderi ²

¹Infectious Disease Ward, University Hospital Center “Mother Tereza”, Tirana, Albania.

²General Pediatric Ward University Hospital Center “Mother Tereza”, Tirana, Albania.

Research Article

World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 24(02), 2610-2615

Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2024.24.2.3546

DOI url: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.24.2.3546

Publication history

Received on 11 October 2024; revised on 27 November 2024; accepted on 30 November 2024

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the manifestation of anxiety symptoms in children who have experienced COVID-19. It examines psychological effects, their emotional responses to distress, and the coping mechanisms they employ to manage their illness.

Methodology: Participants included 50 children aged 6-14, hospitalized in the "General Pediatrics" and "Infectious Pediatrics" departments at the University Hospital Center Tirana (QSUT). The "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC)" was used to assess self-reported anxiety.

The children's way of life changed significantly due to social isolation and fears of losing their own lives or those of family members. These fears affected their daily functioning. While anxiety is a natural adaptive response, it becomes a disorder when uncontrollable, frequent, and occurs without external stimuli, manifesting in physical and emotional symptoms, and leading to behavioral and cognitive changes.

Conclusions: Children aged 10-14 reported higher levels of anxiety. Variables such as illness severity and age influenced results. Common symptoms included:

· Need for reassurance

· Irritability

· Physical complaints (functional)

· Difficulty concentrating

· Feelings of tension and fear

· Negative thoughts about the future

Children aged 6-10 expressed their anxiety through symptoms such as fear of being alone, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and changes in eating habits.

Keywords

COVID-19; Anxiety; Emotional symptoms; Children

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How to cite this article

Gjeorgjina Kuli- Lito, Alberta Shkembi and Elda Skenderi. Emotional reactions of hospitalized children due to COVID-19. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 24(2), 2610-2615. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2024.24.2.3546

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Emotional reactions of hospitalized children due to COVID-19

Gjeorgjina Kuli- Lito ¹, Alberta Shkembi ^{2, *} and Elda Skenderi ²

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Emotional reactions of hospitalized children due to COVID-19

Gjeorgjina Kuli- Lito 1, Alberta Shkembi 2, * and Elda Skenderi 2

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Issue details

Gjeorgjina Kuli- Lito ¹, Alberta Shkembi ^{2, *} and Elda Skenderi ²