Study Protocol for the COVID-19 Pandemic Adjustment Survey (CPAS): A Longitudinal Study of Australian Parents of a Child 0–18 Years

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presents significant risks to the mental health and wellbeing of Australian families. Employment and economic uncertainty, chronic stress, anxiety, and social isolation are likely to have negative impacts on parent mental health, couple and family relationships, as well as child health and development. Objective: This study aims to: (1) provide timely information on the mental health impacts of the emerging COVID-19 crisis in a close to representative sample of Australian parents and children (0-18 years), (2) identify adults and families most at risk of poor mental health outcomes, and (3) identify factors to target through clinical and public health intervention to reduce risk. Specifically, this study will investigate the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with increased risk for parents' mental health, lower well-being, loneliness, and alcohol use; parent-parent and parent-child relationships (both verbal and physical); and child and adolescent mental health problems. Methods: The study aims to recruit a close to representative sample of at least 2,000 adults aged 18 years and over living in Australia who are parents of a child 0-4 years (early childhood, N = 400), 5-12 years (primary school N = 800), and 13-18 years (secondary school, N = 800). The design will be a longitudinal cohort study using an online recruitment methodology. Participants will be invited to complete an online baseline self-report survey (20 min) followed by a series of shorter online surveys (10 min) scheduled every 2 weeks for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., estimated to be 14 surveys over 6 months).

Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on alcohol use disorders and complications

“…As there are some countries in the second wave at the time of this review, we need newer protocols and cohorts to study the long-term effects on mental health and addiction of different populations [ 123 ].…”

Gender roles during COVID‐19 pandemic: The experiences of Turkish female academics

“…Our fourth theme, family relationships after the pandemic , comprises three subthemes: tension, intimacy, and the need for personal space. To control the COVID‐19 outbreak, work‐from‐home and homeschooling practices implemented within the scope of social distance measures have created unprecedented changes in our lifestyles (Westrupp et al., 2020). With the closure of daycare centers and kindergartens, parents who undertake full‐time childcare and work from home simultaneously feel increasing pressure and strive to adapt to the new order (Restubog et al., 2020; Westrupp et al., 2020).…”

“…To control the COVID‐19 outbreak, work‐from‐home and homeschooling practices implemented within the scope of social distance measures have created unprecedented changes in our lifestyles (Westrupp et al., 2020). With the closure of daycare centers and kindergartens, parents who undertake full‐time childcare and work from home simultaneously feel increasing pressure and strive to adapt to the new order (Restubog et al., 2020; Westrupp et al., 2020). Restrictions to stay at home necessitate close physical and emotional contact (Lebow, 2020).…”

“…Restrictions to stay at home necessitate close physical and emotional contact (Lebow, 2020). Staying in a restricted area with family members likely has multiple and significant adverse effects on spousal and family relationships (Westrupp et al., 2020). Restubog et al.…”

Karantzas et al. (2020) COVID-19 Relationship Wellbeing & Loneliness

“…The current study drew on baseline data from Australian parents in a romantic relationship recruited as part of the COVID-19 Pandemic Adjustment Survey (CPAS) (N=1,829; 1394 women, 394 men, 41 gender not specified; M age = 38.21 years, SD = 6.88). Full details regarding the study are described in Westrupp et al (14). Parents were recruited via paid and unpaid social media advertisements containing a hyperlink directing parents to a study website in which they read through a plain language statement, provided online consent, and then undertook the online survey.…”