J Korean Soc Biol Ther Psychiatry.  2021 Oct;27(3):180-189.

Comparison of Changes in Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics of Students Referred to One Hospital-Linked Wee Center after COVID-19 Outbreak

• Koo S
• Lee Y
• Jung HS
• Kim H
• Kim YG
• Seo MJ
• Seo WS

Abstract

Objectives
：The purpose of this study was to identify the change in the reasons for referrals before and after the COVID-19 outbreak among students who were referred to the one hospital-linked Wee center in Dalseo-gu, Daegu.
Methods
：324 students who were referred to one hospital-linked Wee center for personal counseling from January 1, 2019 to December 31 were included. In the initial session of individual counseling, 3 of the chief reasons among 27 emotional and/or behavioral problems were indicated. This reason was divided into before and after COVID-19 to determine whether there is a difference, and whether there is a difference between before and after COVID-19 depending on the school level.
Results
：The most frequent emotional and/or behavioral problem was ‘interpersonal problems’ in both pre- COVID-19 and post- COVID-19 groups. In post- COVID-19 group, ‘anxiety’ was significantly increased, whereas ‘conduct problems,’ ‘impulsivity’ and ‘inattention’ were significantly decreased. In elementary students group, only ‘conduct problems’ was significantly decreased after COVID-19 and the same result was shown in middle and high school students group.
Conclusions
：The study showed that after COVID-19 pandemics in Daegu the difference of students’ problems was noted, and internalizing problems seem to increase rather than externalizing problems. This result calls upon schools to plan for students’ further mental health care measures.

Keyword

Coronavirus disease-19; Hospital-type Wee center; Emotional-behavioral problem