| Summary: | <p class="first" id="d5998e125">In this study we surveyed families’ experiences with parental depression, stress,
relationship conflict and child behavioural issues during 6 months of the coronavirus
(Covid-19) pandemic through the Covid-19: Global Social Trust and Mental Health Study.
The current analyses used data collected from online surveys completed by adults in
66 countries from 17 April 2020 to 13 July 2020 (Wave I), followed by surveys 6 months
later at Wave II (17 October 2020–31 January 2021). Analyses were limited to 175 adult
parents who reported living with at least one child under 18 years old at Wave I.
Parents reported on children’s level of externalising and internalising behaviour
at Wave I. At Wave II, parents completed self-reported measures of stress, depression
and inter-partner conflict. Child externalising behaviour at Wave I significantly
predicted higher levels of parental stress at Wave II, controlling for covariates.
Child internalising behaviour at Wave I did not predict parental stress or depression,
controlling for covariates. Neither child externalising nor internalising behaviour
predicted parental relationship conflict. The overall findings demonstrate that child
behaviour likely influenced parental stress during the Covid-19 pandemic. Findings
suggest that mental health interventions for children and parents may improve the
family system during times of disaster.
</p>
|
|---|