Examining the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on family mental health in Canada: findings from a national cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesIn the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation, school/child care closures and employment instability have created unprecedented conditions for families raising children at home. This study describes the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on families with children in Canada.Design, setting and participantsThis descriptive study used a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of adults living in Canada (n=3000) to examine the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Outcomes among parents with children <18 years old living at home (n=618) were compared with the rest of the sample. Data were collected via an online survey between 14 May to 29 May 2020.Outcome measuresParticipants reported on changes to their mental health since the onset of the pandemic and sources of stress, emotional responses, substance use patterns and suicidality/self-harm. Additionally, parents identified changes in their interactions with their children, impacts on their children’s mental health and sources of support accessed.Results44.3% of parents with children <18 years living at home reported worse mental health as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic compared with 35.6% of respondents without children <18 living at home, χ2 (1, n=3000)=16.2, p<0.001. More parents compared with the rest of the sample reported increased alcohol consumption (27.7% vs 16.1%, χ2 (1, n=3000)=43.8, p<0.001), suicidal thoughts/feelings (8.3% vs 5.2%, χ2 (1, n=3000)=8.0, p=0.005) and stress about being safe from physical/emotional domestic violence (11.5% vs 7.9%, χ2 (1, n=3000)=8.1, p=0.005). 24.8% (95% CI 21.4 to 28.4) of parents reported their children’s mental health had worsened since the pandemic. Parents also reported more frequent negative as well as positive interactions with their children due to the pandemic (eg, more conflicts, 22.2% (95% CI 19.0 to 25.7); increased feelings of closeness, 49.7% (95% CI 45.7 to 53.7)).ConclusionsThis study identifies that families with children <18 at home have experienced deteriorated mental health due to the pandemic. Population-level responses are required to adequately respond to families’ diverse needs and mitigate the potential for widening health and social inequities for parents and children.

How personality traits of neuroticism and extroversion predict the effects of the COVID-19 on the mental health of Canadians

“…Also, the existence of domestic conflicts negatively affected the emotional, psychological and social well-being of our participants. This is also in line with previous studies during COVID-19 pandemic indicating that domestic conflicts during the pandemic (such as have resulted in deteriorated mental health [71].…”

Parents Are Stressed! Patterns of Parent Stress Across COVID-19

“…In May 2020, about half of families reported that keeping children on a daily routine was effective in managing parenting difficulties, and over time, this percentage increased, suggesting this strategy was working for more families. A previous study also found that maintaining family routines helped children to cope with COVID-19-related stress (27). During this time of unpredictability in a rapidly changing environment, it can be difficult for families to keep a consistent daily routine.…”

“…Around the height of government closures and stay-athome orders (May 2020), one-in-five parents reported high stress, while three-in-four parents reported increased parentingspecific stress. Multiple other studies have found that high stress was a common initial reaction to this pandemic (26)(27)(28)(29)(30) and that parents are experiencing more stress than non-parents (17). These previous data were mostly collected in April/May 2020; therefore, the unique aspect of this study includes the longitudinal data across two timepoints during COVID-19 (May and September 2020), as the pandemic progressed.…”

“…Total scores ranged 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating greater stress. Total scores were categorized to describe parents who experienced low stress (0-13), moderate stress (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26), and high stress (27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40) based on previously established cutoff values (22)(23)(24)(25). Parenting-specific stress was assessed at each timepoint: parents reported if their parenting-specific stress increased, decreased, or remained the same since before COVID-19 (at T1) and since May 2020 (at T2).…”

COVID-19 lockdown and lifestyles: A narrative review

“…Higher stress levels associated with lockdown measures were observed in some groups, such as women [185][186][187] (particularly pregnant women 188,189 ), single/divorced adults 81 , older people (particularly with pre-existing mental health conditions 175,190 ), parents with young children 191 , university students and young adults [192][193][194] , workers 195 , those self-medicating 196 , the economically deprived 143 , those with pre-existing depression 197 , bipolar disorders 198 , and other chronic medical conditions 139,189,[199][200][201] . A large study of 56,679 participants in China found that quarantine had a profound effect on the mental health of specific vulnerable groups, including those with pre-existing mental disorders, chronic physical diseases, frontline workers, and those living in the most affected areas 202 .…”