Parenting during the second year of COVID‐19: Positive and negative parental experiences in the U.S.A.

Abstract

ObjectiveIn this study, we examine the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on parenting during the second year of the pandemic.BackgroundMany families experienced abrupt and prolonged changes in their daily routines. Due to the influence of long‐term stress on parenting quality and parenting behaviors, the current study focused on understanding the potential impact of the ongoing pandemic on parents.MethodTwenty parents (Mage = 38.25, SD = 7.77), living in the United States, with at least one child (newborn to 18 years of age) participated in an online interview. The majority of participants identified as White/European (80%), married (95%), and female (80%), with an undergraduate degree or higher (95%). All participants were fluent in English. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes based on parents' answers to questions about their parenting and family routines during the pandemic.ResultsFour themes and three subthemes were produced from the data: experiences as a parent (subthemes included negative experiences, positive experiences, and sources of social support), stressors impacting parenting, concerns for child(ren), and changes in child(ren)'s daily lives.ConclusionParents reported experiencing some of the same stressors that were identified at the beginning of the pandemic. The majority had positive and negative experiences parenting, and a few participants reported similarities in their parenting. Many parents utilized their social supports, but some lost social relationships. Finally, potential patterns emerged based on parent gender, household size, and household income.ImplicationsSupporting healthy child development during stressful periods may involve providing support for parents and assistance managing parental stress.