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. 2022 May 5;27(Suppl 1):S15-S21.
doi: 10.1093/pch/pxab102. eCollection 2022 Jun.

Return to school and mask-wearing in class during the COVID-19 pandemic: Student perspectives from a school simulation study

Sophie G Coelho  1 , Alicia Segovia  1 , Samantha J Anthony  2   3   4 , Jia Lin  2 , Sarah Pol  2 , Jennifer Crosbie  5   6 , Michelle Science  7 , Clyde T Matava  8   9 , Rulan S Parekh  7 , Monica Caldeira-Kulbakas  8 , Stacie Carroll  10   11 , Jodi L Greenwood  10   11 , Giovanna Panzera  10   11 , Ryan Imgrund  12   13 , Konstantin Osokin  14 , Daphne J Korczak  1   5   6
Affiliations

Return to school and mask-wearing in class during the COVID-19 pandemic: Student perspectives from a school simulation study

Sophie G Coelho et al. Paediatr Child Health. .

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined children's perspectives about returning to in-person school following lockdown due to the pandemic and about mask-wearing in class, as well as the mental health of children and parents during the pandemic.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was part of a 2-day school simulation exercise that randomized students to different masking recommendations. Parent-report of mental health and post-simulation child-report of COVID-19-related anxiety and mask-wearing were analyzed using descriptive and multiple regression analyses. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with older students to supplement questionnaire data.

Results: Of 190 students in this study, 31% were in grade 4 or lower 95% looked forward to returning to in-person school. Greater child anxiety about COVID-19 was predicted by increased parent/caregiver anxiety (β=0.67; P<0.001), and lower parental educational attainment (β=1.86; P<0.002). Older students were more likely than younger students to report that mask-wearing interfered with their abilities to interact with peers (χ2(1)=31.16; P<0.001) and understand the teacher (χ2(1)=13.97; P<0.001). Students in the group that did not require masks were more likely than students in the masking group to report worries about contracting COVID-19 at school (χ2(1)=10.07; P<0.05), and anticipated difficulty wearing a mask (χ2(1)=18.95; P<0.001).

Conclusions: For children anxious about COVID-19, parental anxiety and education about COVID-19 may be targets for intervention. Future research should examine the impact of prolonged implementation of public health mitigation strategies in school on academic achievement and children's mental health.

Keywords: COVID-19; Children; Masks; Mental health; School reopening.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Post-simulation questionnaire responses by grade group.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Post-simulation questionnaire responses by ‘mask’ or ‘no-mask’ groups.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Mental health change during the COVID-19 pandemic by grade group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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