Relations between Child and Parent Fears and Changes in Family Functioning Related to COVID-19

Abstract

In adults, higher anxiety level related to COVID-19 has been associated with having a pre-existing medical or mental health condition and poor sleep quality. However, no study yet has looked at these links in children. The present study’s main aim was to assess family changes associated with child and parent fears and concerns about COVID-19. We conducted a cross-sectional study among 144 families with children aged 9–12 years during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Families came from Quebec, Canada, and the survey was done in the early stages of the lockdown (April–May 2020). A phone-based survey assessed parent and child COVID-19-related fears and concerns, family-related changes and health issues. Results showed the more fears parents have about COVID-19, the more fears their child also has. Moreover, changes in family sleep habits were associated with parental and child fears and concerns about COVID-19. Reduced access to health services was associated with parental concerns about COVID-19. If another lockdown was to be put in place in the future, it would be important to inform families on the importance of sleep schedules and to maintain or increase health appointments when possible.

Experience of Autistic Children and Their Families During the Pandemic: From Distress to Coping Strategies

“…Also, in line with our findings about the importance of giving accurate information, Suffren et al (2021) highlighted the importance of providing complete information in order to reduce the anxiety of typical children. Indeed, like in our study, in which the "fear of catching the virus" was the second barrier identified by autistic children, Suffren et al (2021) also showed a high level of similar fear in typical children. Here again, to help autistic children understand the pandemic, it is necessary to use tools that are suited to them and, to do this, parents need to be supported and well informed.…”

“…Since autistic children can sometimes have difficulty understanding what is happening (Eshraghi et al, 2020;Narzisi, 2020), it is necessary to adapt the information to make it accessible to various autistic profiles (e.g., use of visual representations, Kunda, 2013;Kunda & Goel, 2008). Also, in line with our findings about the importance of giving accurate information, Suffren et al (2021) highlighted the importance of providing complete information in order to reduce the anxiety of typical children. Indeed, like in our study, in which the "fear of catching the virus" was the second barrier identified by autistic children, Suffren et al (2021) also showed a high level of similar fear in typical children.…”

Family Cohesion and Stress Consequences Among Chinese College Students During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Moderated Mediation Model

“…Family cohesion is an important protective factor which is negatively related to negative emotion (26)(27)(28)(29). As expected, the study during the COVID-19 epidemic period also has found a significant negative relationship between family cohesion and fear of COVID-19 (30).…”

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

“…Parents indicated that they were concerned about their children's increased difficult behaviors and that they found it extremely difficult to balance homeschooling, working full-time hours from home and their parenting role ( 14 ). In a study conducted in Quebec, Canada among 144 families, 77% of parents reported changes in employment status, 44% reported changes in family income and 69% reported changes in sleep habits ( 15 ). Increased parent fear about COVID-19 was significantly related to child fear about COVID-19, and families who experienced changes in family income experienced increased concern about financial resources ( 15 ).…”

“…In a study conducted in Quebec, Canada among 144 families, 77% of parents reported changes in employment status, 44% reported changes in family income and 69% reported changes in sleep habits ( 15 ). Increased parent fear about COVID-19 was significantly related to child fear about COVID-19, and families who experienced changes in family income experienced increased concern about financial resources ( 15 ). Brown et al found that parents ( N = 183) in the US experienced increased anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic and that increased parental anxiety and depressive symptoms were associated with increased child abuse potential ( 16 ).…”