Table 2.
Children’s Attention and Behavior-Related Difficulties as Reported by Parents on the POCA (n = 45)
| Pre-Pandemic | During COVID-19 Pandemic | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variable | Mean (SD) | Mean (SD) | t a | p-value |
| Concentratesb | 4.17 (1.2) | 3.70 (1.1) | 2.13 | .04 |
| Poor Effort | 2.38 (.94) | 2.53 (1.1) | −1.0 | .32 |
| Pays Attentionb | 4.36 (1.2) | 3.84 (.98) | 2.69 | .01 |
| Learns up to Abilityb | 5.09 (1.1) | 4.56 (1.2) | 2.70 | .01 |
| Easily Distracted | 3.20 (1.3) | 3.20 (1.2) | .00 | 1.00 |
| Eager to Learnb | 4.73 (1.3) | 4.20 (1.4) | 3.2 | .003 |
| Mind Wanders | 2.89 (1.4) | 2.89 (1.4) | .00 | 1.00 |
| Works Hardb | 4.82 (1.1) | 4.18 (1.2) | 3.02 | .004 |
| Stays on Taskb | 3.98 (1.4) | 3.76 (1.2) | .97 | .34 |
| Cannot Sit Still | 3.00 (1.3) | 3.11 (1.3) | −.49 | .62 |
| Runs Around | 3.11 (1.4) | 2.76 (1.6) | 1.43 | .16 |
| On the Go | 2.80 (1.6) | 2.73 (1.4) | .24 | .81 |
| Waits for Turnb | 4.43 (1.3) | 3.73 (1.1) | 3.05 | .004 |
a
df = 44; paired t-tests used to examine differences in self-regulation pre-pandemic to during pandemic.
b.
lower scores on these items indicate worse behaviors. The question stem for the POCA items is: In the last three weeks, would you say your child never or almost never, sometimes, often, or almost always…