COVID-19 and the emotional well-being of children and adolescents in Santa Elena

Anabel Sarduy-Lugo, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y de la Salud, Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena, La Libertad, Santa Elena, Ecuador
Yuniel Rojas-López, Departamento de Enseñanza Básica, Unidad Educativa Cristo Rey, Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador
Ma. Caridad Mederos-Machado, Facultad de Educación e Idiomas, Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena, La Libertad, Santa Elena, Ecuador
Sandra J. Andino-Espinoza, Facultad de Ciencias Sociales y de la Salud, Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena, La Libertad, Santa Elena, Ecuador
Pedro G. Marcano-Molano, Facultad de Educación e Idiomas, Universidad Estatal Península de Santa Elena, La Libertad, Santa Elena, Ecuador

Introduction: Mental health is a condition of satisfaction that enables human beings to cope with stressful situations in their lives. Additionally, it provides them with the possibility to develop their physical and mental capacities to face the challenges of society. Objective: To analyze the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the emotional well-being of children and adolescents in the province of Santa Elena. Method: The study included a quantitative analysis, and the design used was descriptive and cross-sectional. The research was conducted from September to December 2023. The population consisted of 422 students. For data collection, a questionnaire with a Likert scale was used through the Google Form tool. Results: Thirty-nine percent of the population experienced anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, with girls and young females being the most affected, 51% currently do not experience anxiety or stress, 56% reported not feeling lonely during the months of social isolation, 48% of respondents expressed that they could not control their emotions and displayed them at any moment, 50% of respondents claim not to have had any mental health issues. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on emotional well-being due to experienced changes such as anxiety, depression, problems in interpersonal relationships, and stress.

Keywords: COVID-19. Child health. Adolescent. Learning. Mental health.