Factors modifying children’s stress during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

Abstract

We explored the factors associated with the stress signs among children during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. Although children showed increased stress signs, they also showed increased development of good behavioral traits during this period. Parenting styles were significantly correlated with the psychological and physical stresses experienced by children. While a punitive parenting style had significant correlations with increased psychological and physical stress, a warm and permissive parenting style had positive correlations with increased good behavioral traits and behaviors of children even during the pandemic. Social support enhanced mothers' selfesteem and positive perceptions among children. These findings provide us with important clues to support families, during the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Science Mapping of the Global Knowledge Base on Management, Leadership, and Administration Related to COVID-19 for Promoting the Sustainability of Scientific Research

“…In this context, these inequalities can be cited as higher mortality rates due to COVID-19 in more impoverished settlements, children from low-income families being more harmed by school closures, increased workload of women, and occupational groups that are unable to work from or run their business from home [14]. Another negative consequence of the pandemic is that many students have been forced to continue their education online from home following the physical closure of schools and face-to-face lessons [20]. Due to the pandemic, the transition from face-to-face to online education has brought digital inequality to the fore for economically disadvantaged students.…”

Identifying vulnerable children’s stress levels and coping measures during COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: a mixed method study

“…Children's stress was modified by parental behaviour-a warm and permissive parenting style had positive correlations with good behavioural traits. 9 Children's major stressors in this study were schoolrelated and pandemic fears. Their countermeasures were remote games and direct indoor and outdoor play with friends and connections via social media.…”

“…11 12 In March 2020, without implementing any other measures, the Japanese government instituted a sudden nationwide closure of schools and kindergartens. 11 12 Along with obvious impacts of losing crucial socialisation and education, 9 closures exposed children to heightened family tension, loss of support systems such as school lunch provision and increased health risks, including weight gain. 11 Pandemic measures and health-system strain also expedited breakdown in many Japanese public healthcare services, including maternal and child care.…”

Parenting style and its effect on eating disorders and substance abuse across the young population

“…This particular finding is interesting, for recent studies show that indulgent/permissive parenting seems to result in more positive outcomes in youngsters with higher self-esteem and good educational performance [ 11 ], shedding more light on the degree of responsiveness required and also the developmental timeframe for such variation. The social fabric has witnessed changes of the highest magnitude with the drastic measures imposed by multiple countries since the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak in 2020 which may seem to favor permissive parenting style as reported by the positive effects on the behavioural traits in Japanese children [ 90 ]. However, the conventional authoritarian style remains connected to negative outcomes such as the child’s mental health, screen time and sleep quality among others [ 103 ].…”