Background The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in public health and policy measures to reduce in-person contact and the transmission of the virus. These measures impacted daily life and mental well-being (MWB). The aims of this study were to explore the MWB impacts of COVID-19 on children and assess the associations among perceived changes in physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviors (SB), with perceived MWB changes, using a mixed-methods approach. Methods A convergent parallel mixed-methods design consisting of an online survey with a convenience sample and interviews was conducted from May through July 2020 with parents/caregivers of kindergarten through 5th graders in the St. Louis region. Survey domains assessed included child MWB, PA, and SB. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and qualitatively analyzed using a code book developed to elicit themes. Survey data was analyzed with chi-squared tests and logistic regressions. The dependent variable was perceived change in child MWB due to the impact of COVID-19. Independent variables included perceived changes in PA, SB, and child concerns about COVID-19. Results Sample size consisted of 144 surveys and 16 interviews. Most parents reported a perceived decrease in child MWB (74%), a decrease in child PA (61%), and an increase in child SB (91%). Discontentment with stay-at-home orders and concern about COVID-19 were associated with a perceived decrease in MWB. Children whose PA decreased were 53% less likely to have the same or better MWB (OR 0.47) and children whose outside PA decreased were 72% less likely to have the same or better MWB (OR 0.28). Common qualitative themes included difficulty in adjusting to COVID-19 restrictions due to school closures and lack of socializing, child concerns about family getting sick, and PA benefits for improving MWB. Conclusions Based on parent perceptions, MWB decreased with COVID-19. Maintained or increased child PA improved the chances MWB would remain the same or improve. Parent interviews provide context to these findings by showing how COVID-19 impacted MWB and the associations between PA and MWB. Understanding protective factors for child MWB during COVID-19 is important to offset negative long-term health outcomes from this ongoing pandemic. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-11805-6.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, physical activity, Sedentary behavior, Child, mental well-being, Mixed-methods, 【초록키워드】 public health, pandemic, survey, children, COVID-19 pandemic, Transmission, outcome, virus, Health, Impact, understanding, association, Contact, changes, independent variable, supplementary material, domain, interview, protective factor, measure, parent, logistic regressions, MOST, Mental, approach, benefit, decrease, common, IMPROVE, Result, analyzed, lack, Sample, reported, conducted, less, changes in, elicit, increase in, transcribed, sick, reduce, impacted, were recorded, Maintained, offset, with COVID-19, 【제목키워드】 COVID-19 pandemic, Mental,