Positive and negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on families of young children in rural Colombia and implications for child outcome research.

The survey included 70 children and their caregivers, and only 21 caregivers gave open-ended responses. The CEFIS was created and validated in the United States and was not validated for this Colombian community. Most CEFIS forms were completed by mothers, so results may differ for other caregivers. The authors say families experienced the pandemic in complex ways that a positive or negative impact score may not fully reflect. The sample had limited differences in socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, so the study could not find many associations with those variables. The study did not compare families over time, and the authors note that longitudinal evaluation may show how family impact fluctuates. The authors say results may not be generalizable to all communities because of differences in culture, opportunities, and resources.

The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. The funders had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; or decision to submit it for publication.

Do not read the positive family impact scores as evidence that the pandemic improved child outcomes or that any therapy helped. The study measured caregivers’ reports of family impact and distress at a study visit, and it did not test an intervention or child developmental outcome.