Child Externalizing and Internalizing Behavior and Parental Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Jill Portnoy (School of Criminology and Justice Studies, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA)
- AnaCristina Bedoya (School of Criminology and Justice Studies, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA)
- Keri Ka-Yee Wong (Department of Psychology & Human Development, University College London, UK)
This is version 2 of this article, the published version can be found at: https://doi.org/10.14324/111.444/ucloe.000040
Abstract
In this study we surveyed families’ experiences with parental depression, stress, relationship conflict and child behavioural issues during 6 months of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic through the Covid-19: Global Social Trust and Mental Health Study. The current analyses used data collected from online surveys completed by adults in 66 countries from 17 April 2020 to 13 July 2020 (Wave I), followed by surveys 6 months later at Wave II (17 October 2020–31 January 2021). Analyses were limited to 175 adult parents who reported living with at least one child under 18 years old at Wave I. Parents reported on children’s level of externalising and internalising behaviour at Wave I. At Wave II, parents completed self-reported measures of stress, depression and inter-partner conflict. Child externalising behaviour at Wave I significantly predicted higher levels of parental stress at Wave II, controlling for covariates. Child internalising behaviour at Wave I did not predict parental stress or depression, controlling for covariates. Neither child externalising nor internalising behaviour predicted parental relationship conflict. The overall findings demonstrate that child behaviour likely influenced parental stress during the Covid-19 pandemic. Findings suggest that mental health interventions for children and parents may improve the family system during times of disaster.Keywords: Covid-19, parental stress, relational conflict, mental wellbeing, internalising problems, externalising problems, family, children, health
Rights: © 2022 The Authors.