Social abilities in young Mexicans with Down syndrome during the COVID-19 pandemic

Background: Social abilities include interpersonal skills, interaction, and social responsibility. The nature of these abilities has not been explored in young people with Down syndrome (DS) during the social isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: The aim of this online study was to describe the social profile of a group of 30 Mexican people with DS, with a chronological age of 15-29 years, and explore the variables related to their psychosocial profiles. A sociodemographic questionnaire, mental age examination, and socialization battery were applied. Social behavior was analyzed in domains that facilitate socialization (leadership, joviality, social sensitivity, respect/self-control), in domains that disrupt socialization (aggressiveness/stubbornness, apathy/withdrawal, anxiety/shyness), and on a global scale. Results: Participants' scores in the facilitative domains were above average, and their scores in the disruptive domains were below average, as expected. Scores on the respect/self-control scale were associated with chronological age (CA), and those on the global scale with mental age (MA). Discussion: No impairments were found in the social skills of young people with DS according to the parameters of the scale. The development of the social profile with CA and MA stimulates cognition and promotes independence, autonomy, and proactivity. Parents' role in regulating children's behavior was an important factor in managing their social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.