Associations between parent–child relationship, and children’s externalizing and internalizing symptoms, and lifestyle behaviors in China during the COVID-19 epidemic

Abstract

To investigate associations between parent–child relationships, children’s externalizing and internalizing symptoms, and lifestyle responses to the COVID-19 epidemic, we conducted an online survey of a random, representative sample of residents with children aged 3–17 years during mid-March 2020 in Wuhan and Shanghai, China. A total of 1655 parents and children were surveyed with a response rate of 80.1% in the survey. During the epidemic, the frequency of children enquiring about the epidemic (AOR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.06), parents explaining the epidemic to them (AOR = 2.87, 95% CI: 1.80, 4.58), parents expressing negative emotions in front of them (AOR = 2.62; 95% CI = 2.08–3.30), and parents with more irritable attitudes (AOR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.33–2.81) were significantly associated with children’s externalizing symptoms. For internalizing symptoms, significant associations were found with worse parent–child closeness (AOR = 2.93; 95% CI = 1.80–4.79), the frequency of parents expressing negative emotions in front of them (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI = 1.68, 4.12), and more irritable attitudes (AOR = 2.24; 95% CI = 1.42–3.55). We also found that each indicator of parent–child relationships had the significantly similar associations with children’s lifestyle behaviors. These findings suggest that improving parents’ attitudes towards their children and parent–child closeness during the epidemic, especially among parents with lower educational levels, are important to ensure the wellbeing of children.

Emotional and Behavioral Performance among Adolescents Attending at Outpatient Departments of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In our study 34% had emotional 31% had conduct and 17% had hyperactivity symptoms respectively during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a similar study found that a small proportion of children (8.0%, 65/816 in Wuhan and 11.7%, 98/839 in Shanghai) had a substantial risk of clinically significant emotional problems which is lower prevalence than our study and 39.5% of children in Wuhan and 58.4% in Shanghai had behavioral problems such as aggressive or stubborn behavior and tantrums or meltdowns during the epidemic (p < 0.001) which is higher than our study [7]. This result is slightly different because in our study the sample size is smaller and our study conducted in one area whereas the other study conducted in two big cities with large sample.…”

Associations of connectedness and parental behaviors with adolescent physical activity and mental health during COVID-19: A mediation analysis using the 2021 adolescent behaviors and experiences survey

“…However, higher levels of stress and the changing work environments during COVID-19 may have negatively influenced how parents interacted with their children. It has been shown that COVID-19 associated with higher levels of parental emotional abuse ( Chung et al, 2020 ; Du et al, 2021 ) , and changing work environments and schedules may have altered how parents monitored their children during the pandemic ( Chung et al, 2020 ; Du et al, 2021 ; Chen and Harris, 2019 ).…”

Family satisfaction and self-efficacy among low-income adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A comparative analysis of parents' educational attainment

“…Since COVID-19 has spread around the world, vulnerable groups such as low-income families and adolescents have been more exposed to difficulties ( 26 , 34 ). Given that low-income students might not have sufficient support for development of self-efficacy compared to those in middle or high economic classes, it is necessary to pay more attention to development of their self-efficacy.…”

“…Generally, family satisfaction is related to self-efficacy ( 28 – 30 ), and this was confirmed in the current study, particularly among adolescents in low-income families. However, parents in low-income households might be busier and more exhausted in workplace since COVID-19 because an economic recession has made it more challenging to make money and be employed, particularly for low-income families ( 26 ). Unstable wages and job insecurity might interrupt communication or cohesion among or satisfaction with family members ( 27 , 35 ).…”

“…Two studies were located that examined family dynamics and parental educational attainment among families with adolescent children during COVID-19. In a sample of parents of children aged 3–17 years in March 2020 in Wuhan and Shanghai, China, parents with a higher educational attainment (bachelor's degree or above) were less irritable toward their children and reported higher closeness with their children than parents with lower educational attainment (high school or below) ( 26 ). Second, during the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents in the Midwestern US who had parents with low or moderate levels of education (a bachelor's degree or below) had a more significant increase in family stressors during the pandemic and associated lockdowns than did adolescents with parents with a high level of education (a graduate degree) ( 27 ).…”