Cross-Sectional Study Protocol for the COVID-19 Impact Survey of Mothers and Their 7–11 Year Old Children in Alberta, Canada

Abstract

Objectives: Our aim is to understand the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on families who have been followed longitudinally in two cohorts studied in Alberta, Canada. We will examine household infections during the COVID-19 pandemic, financial impact, domestic violence, substance use, child school and daily life and relationships in the home. We will identify risk and protective factors for maternal mental health outcomes using longitudinal data that can inform policy and government resource allocation in future disasters.Methods: Mothers who are currently participating in two longitudinal studies, Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON; N = 1,800) and All Our Families (AOF: N = 2,534) were eligible to participate. Mothers were invited to complete the baseline COVID-19 Impact Survey (20–30 min) within 4 months of March 15, 2020, which was when the province of Alberta, Canada, implemented school closures and physical-distancing measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Mothers were asked to report on their own, their child's and their family's functioning. Mothers were re-surveyed at 6 months after completion of the initial COVID-19 Impact Survey, and will be re-surveyed again at 12 months.Results: Responses from participants in both cohorts will be examined in harmonized analyses as well as separately. Descriptive, multivariable analysis will be undertaken to examine risk and resiliency over time and factors that predict mental health and well-being.Conclusions: This study will provide timely information on the impact of COVID-19 for Albertan families. It will identify risk and protective factors for mental health and well-being among contemporary urban families supported by a publicly funded health care system to inform allocation of resources to support those most vulnerable during a global pandemic.

Financial Disruption and Psychological Underpinning During COVID-19: A Review and Research Agenda

“…The poor coverage of health insurance and financial problems forced people to postpone or avoid the institutional services related to pregnancy antenatal care ( Abufaraj et al, 2021 ; Johnson, 2021 ), child care ( Vance et al, 2021 ), and postponement of childbearing intentions ( Malicka et al, 2021 ). Rapid coverage of health insurance policies ( Abufaraj et al, 2021 ), counseling for childbearing and family planning, social security schemes, financial support for pregnant women ( Johnson, 2021 ), and neonatal care and improving public health facilities ( Letourneau et al, 2021 ) are some health-related measures to cope with these challenges. Healthcare workers struggled for better packages matching their efforts for defending COVID-19, especially nurses ( Akkuş et al, 2021 ; Cho et al, 2021 ); orthopedic surgeons ( Attarde et al, 2021 ); otorhinolaryngologists ( Dosemane et al, 2021 ); and dentists ( Kumar et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Canadian Institutes of Health Research has four funded papers on this topic with 252 citations. The funded papers were on the topic of financial and psychological impact to mothers and children during COVID-19 ( Letourneau et al, 2021 ); Chinese Canadians’ experience during pandemic ( Lou et al, 2021 ); and related to sleep-related issues and psychological impacts during COVID-19 ( Morin et al, 2020 , 2022 ). The pandemic opened new areas for the researcher to work upon the goals of the human community.…”

“…The financial struggles of vulnerable sections through financial support ( Hahlweg et al, 2020 ); financial support or assistance through social security schemes can alleviate the financial and psychological distress due to the COVID-19 ( Jha et al, 2021 ). The challenges for the healthcare facilities due to financial issues in COVID can be through better healthcare coverages ( Abufaraj et al, 2021 ); publicly funded healthcare systems ( Letourneau et al, 2021 ); and financial support for pregnant women ( Johnson, 2021 ). Promoting the psychological health of entrepreneurs ( St-Jean and Tremblay, 2021 ).…”

Mothers’ and Children’s Mental Distress and Family Strain during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Cohort Study

“…This prospective cohort study was drawn from the Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition (APrON) COVID-19 Maternal Impact Survey designed to assess the effects of COVID-19 on families living in Alberta, Canada [27]. Three survey waves (approximately six months apart) were undertaken from May 2020 to July 2021: Wave 1-May to July 2020, Wave 2-November 2020 to January 2021 and Wave 3-May to July 2021.…”

“…A recent systematic review found that the mental health of children under 12 years old has been negatively impacted during the pandemic; the most at-risk children were those with increased pandemic-related stressors and worsened mental health [28]. Details on the APrON Study and the COVID-19 Maternal Impact Survey are published elsewhere [27,29].…”