L’objectif est de comprendre les changements au sein des familles durant le confinement motivé par la pandémie de la COVID-19 et explorer le vécu psychoaffectif des enfants et de leurs parents face à cette situation.

Il s’agit d’une enquête en ligne anonyme avec méthodologie associant des analyses quantitatives et qualitatives. Les questions ciblaient plusieurs thèmes tels que le contexte de vie, le vécu émotionnel et les répercussions sur les habitudes quotidiennes chez les enfants et adolescents, tels que perçus par les parents.

Au total, 439 parents ont répondu au questionnaire. Les familles sont globalement restées dans leur lieu de vie habituel et ont réussi à bien s’adapter. En moyenne, le niveau d’inquiétude des enfants (estimé par les parents) était moins élevé que celui que les parents s’attribuent. L’état psychologique des enfants et adolescents était globalement stable mais pour ceux qui ont vécu davantage d’émotions négatives que d’habitude, il s’agissait d’une augmentation de l’ennui, de l’irritabilité et de la colère. Une baisse de la qualité de sommeil a aussi été constatée par un tiers des répondants. En revanche, une progression de l’autonomie a été soulignée. Les parents ont aussi rapporté une amélioration des relations familiales, mais aux dépens des liens sociaux habituels induisant un sentiment de privation.

Malgré des émotions négatives ressenties chez certains enfants, le confinement a permis de développer de nouvelles ressources dans la plupart des familles. Certains facteurs rapportés, tels que le renforcement des liens, pourraient être des facteurs protecteurs et constituent de bonnes pistes dans les interventions à proposer aux enfants et leur famille.

The aim of this study is to understand the changes within families during confinement motivated by the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the psycho-emotional experiences of children and their parents in this new situation. Confinement necessarily induced significant changes in daily family routines, particularly for work, education, leisure and social activities. In the more vulnerable pediatric population, several authors have warned of the need to consider the impact of lockdown measures during COVID-19 on the psychological impact and well-being.

This is an anonymous online survey with methodology combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. The questions targeted several themes such as life context, emotional experience and the impact on daily habits in children and adolescents, as perceived by parents. Participants are adults and parents of at least one child. They were recruited through social media and email.

A total of 439 parents responded to the questionnaire. The families generally stayed in their usual place of residence and managed to adapt well. On average, the children's level of worry (as estimated by parents) was lower than the level of worry parents attributed to themselves. For the majority, the parents did not observe any change, the psychological state of the children and adolescents was generally stable, but for those who experienced more negative emotions than usual, it was an increase in boredom, irritability and anger. A decrease in the quality of sleep was also observed by a third of the respondents. On the other hand, an increase in autonomy was noted. Regarding the quality of family cohabitation, an important result showed that confinement had improved family relationships for 41% parents but at the expense of usual social ties inducing a feeling of deprivation. Indeed, the participants evoke a lack of “social link” and “social contact with friends”. Lack became synonymous with absence, a feeling of loneliness and separation.

Our results confirm European and international data collected in children in countries where strict lockdown measures have been applied. Despite the negative emotions felt in some children, confinement has helped develop new resources in most families. Families seem to have been successful in maintaining a stable and secure routine which has certainly been a protective factor against anxiety. Some reported factors, such as bonding, could be protective factors and constitute good leads in interventions to be offered to children and their families.