Behavioral problems among children in Al-Kharj City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, due to COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the behavioral problems among children in Al-Kharj City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, due COVID-19 lockdown. The study sample consisted of 154 children, 83 boys and 71 girls, randomly chosen. The ages of the selected sample population range between 2-6 years. A questionnaire of 36 paragraphs was prepared by the researchers outlining the following dimensions. The results of the study showed the following that the level of behavioral problems resulting from quarantine among children in Al-Kharj city is low, however, there are differences in the behavioral problems of children attributed to the mother's occupation, no differences in the behavioral problems of children due to the age of the child in all dimensions except for “Sleep and emotional problems dimensions” which were in favor of age category (2-6) years.  There is also a positive relationship between the children's behavioral problems and the level of the mother's education, while there is no such relationship in the case of the father's education level.  Mental health must be supported by implementing the three mental health approaches: developmental, preventive, and curative, especially in times of public crises.

Keywords: Behavioral problems; COVID-19; lockdown; quarantine.