Parenting Cognitions' Influence on Familial Mental Health and Educational Experiences at Home During COVID-19

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: COVID, Child Outcomes, and Home Learning Environments

Abstract

This recent COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted children and their families’ lives causing decline in children’s mental health and has provided a unique opportunity to study the influence of parenting cognitions on the level of challenge faced by children. The present study examines the interdependent relationships between socioeconomic status, parenting, and children’s mental health. There was a negative and significant relationship between maternal education and maternal self-efficacy. Perceived parental impact had a positive relationship with challenges children experienced with their education at home while controlling for prior risk factors. Self-efficacy significantly negatively predicted children’s conduct problems and positively increased their prosocial behaviour. Better understanding the influential role parenting cognitions plays will inform policy and public investments around parenting programs.

Authors

• Calpanaa Jegatheeswaran, University of Toronto

• Samantha C. Burns, University of Toronto

• Jennifer Jenkins, OISE/University of Toronto

• Michal Perlman, University of Toronto