Prevalence of Behavioral and Socioemotional problems in preschoolers born during COVID-19 pandemic and its correlation with Parenting style: An observational study.
Prevalencia de problemas conductuales y socioemocionales en preescolares nacidos durante la pandemia por COVID-19 y su correlación con el estilo de crianza: un estudio observacional
Brijesh M,1 Deepa Metgud,2
1Department of Pediatric Physiotherapy, KAHER Institute of Physiotherapy, Belagavi, Karnataka, India- 590010.
2Department of Pediatric Physiotherapy, KAHER Institute of Physiotherapy, Belagavi, Karnataka, India- 590010.
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7847-268X
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3012-1642
Received: 26 de enero 2026
Accepted: 23 de junio 2026
Correspondence
Brijesh M
u25brijeshyum@gmail.com
This article should be cited as: Brijesh M, Deepa M. Prevalence of Behavioral and Socioemotional problems in preschoolers born during COVID-19 pandemic and its correlation with Parenting style: An observational study. Acta Pediatr Méx 2026: 47: e3361.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Early childhood development has been uniquely shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, with disruptions to peer interactions, environments, and early experiences raising concerns regarding behavioral vulnerabilities. While increased behavioral and socioemotional difficulties were reported during the pandemic, there is limited post pandemic evidence on the prevalence of these problems among preschoolers born during the COVID-19 pandemic, and few studies have examined their association with parenting styles.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of behavioral and socioemotional problems among preschoolers born during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate its association with parenting styles.
METHODS: This observational cross-sectional study included preschoolers aged 3–5 years. The prevalence of behavioral and socioemotional problems was determined using Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/1½–5). Parenting styles were assessed using Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire-2 (PSDQ-2). Data were analyzed using appropriate parametric and non-parametric statistical tests based on data distribution. Correlation analyses were subsequently performed to examine associations between parenting style dimensions and CBCL outcome scores.
RESULTS: The prevalence of behavioral and socioemotional problems in preschoolers born during the pandemic was 12.8%. Maternal authoritative parenting demonstrated a significant negative association with total behavioral problems, whereas maternal authoritarian and permissive parenting styles showed positive associations with externalizing and internalizing problem domains, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Behavioral and socioemotional difficulties were observed among preschool children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant associations were identified between parenting styles and behavioral outcomes. Further longitudinal studies are needed to better understand these relationships.
KEYWORDS: Child, Preschool, Child Behavior Disorders, Social Behavior, COVID-19, Parenting.
Resumen
ANTECEDENTES: El desarrollo en la primera infancia se ha visto influenciado de manera particular por la pandemia por COVID-19, con alteraciones en las interacciones entre pares, los entornos y las experiencias tempranas, lo que ha generado preocupación sobre posibles vulnerabilidades conductuales. Aunque durante la pandemia se reportó un aumento de las dificultades conductuales y socioemocionales, existe evidencia limitada en el período post pandémico sobre la prevalencia de estos problemas en preescolares nacidos durante la pandemia, así como pocos estudios que hayan analizado su asociación con los estilos de crianza.
OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de problemas conductuales y socioemocionales en preescolares nacidos durante la pandemia por COVID-19 y evaluar su asociación con los estilos de crianza.
MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional de tipo transversal que incluyó a niños preescolares de 3 a 5 años de edad. La prevalencia de problemas conductuales y socioemocionales se determinó mediante el Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/1½–5). Los estilos de crianza se evaluaron utilizando el Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire-2 (PSDQ-2). Los datos se analizaron mediante pruebas estadísticas paramétricas y no paramétricas, según la distribución de los datos. Posteriormente, se realizaron análisis de correlación para examinar las asociaciones entre las dimensiones de los estilos de crianza y las puntuaciones obtenidas en el CBCL.
RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de problemas conductuales y socioemocionales en los preescolares nacidos durante la pandemia fue del 12.8%. El estilo de crianza autoritativo materno mostró una asociación negativa significativa con los problemas conductuales totales, mientras que los estilos de crianza autoritario y permisivo maternos presentaron asociaciones positivas con los dominios de problemas externalizantes e internalizantes, respectivamente.
CONCLUSIONES: Los preescolares nacidos durante la pandemia por COVID-19 presentan una carga relevante de dificultades conductuales y socioemocionales. El estilo de crianza emerge como un factor modificable clave. Estos hallazgos subrayan la necesidad de implementar estrategias tempranas de tamiz conductual e intervenciones centradas en los padres dentro de los marcos de salud pública en el período post pandémico.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Niño preescolar; Trastornos del comportamiento infantil; Conducta social; COVID-19; Relaciones Padres-Hijo.