Risk and Protective Factors Associated with Parental Perceived Stress and Child Abuse Potential During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• In Event: Parenting in a pandemic: Family adversity and resilience during the onset of COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused families across the world to experience a new range of stressors that threaten their health, safety, and economic well-being. Cumulative stress alters family dynamics and may place children at risk of abuse and neglect. This risk may be compounded for children when their parents also experience comorbid mental health concerns, such as anxiety or depressive symptoms, as well as for marginalized families. However, many families are resilient in the face of adversity and certain factors may serve to protect against the consequences of stress and risk of child maltreatment. Although evidence is emerging regarding the impact of COVID-19 on parenting, we lack an advanced understanding of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to parental perceived stress and child abuse potential. This study aimed to identify the extent to which demographic characteristics, COVID-19 and mental health risk factors, and protective factors are associated with parental perceived stress and child abuse potential.

Methods: Cross-sectional data from 183 parents with a child under the age of 18 years were used. Families were recruited from child- and family-serving agencies and educational settings in the western United States. Tests of group differences and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were employed, which regressed parental perceived stress and child abuse potential on demographic characteristics (parent age, gender, race/ethnicity, financial assistance, education, relationship status, number of children and adults in household), COVID-19 risk factors (cumulative stressors from COVID-19, knowing someone who tested positive or died from COVID-19), mental health risk factors (anxiety and depressive symptoms, poor sleep), and protective factors (perceived control, parental support).

Results: Significant differences across racial and ethnic groups were found for COVID-19 related stressors, Welch’s F(3, 21.63)=5.72, p<.01, but not for mental health risk, protective factors, perceived stress, or child abuse potential. Latinx families reported more COVID-19 stressors (M=3.71, SD=1.73) than other racial/ethnic groups. In the final retained model for parental perceived stress, greater COVID-19 related stressors (B=.56, SE=.28, p<.05) and high depressive symptoms (B=3.05, SE=.98, p<.01) were associated with higher parental perceived stress. Greater parental support (B=-.61, SE=.10, p<.001) and perceived control (B=-.25, SE=.11, p<.05) were associated with lower parental perceived stress. In the final retained model for child abuse potential, greater parental support (B=-.23, SE=.05, p<.001) and perceived control (B=-.11, SE=.06, p<.05) were associated with lower child abuse potential.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that although families experience elevated stressors from COVID-19 and mental health symptoms, parental support and perceived control may act as important buffers to decrease risk of poor outcomes. Agencies that serve families during the pandemic will benefit from understanding the cumulative impact of COVID-19 related stressors among racially and ethnically diverse families. In addition, enhancing support networks and promoting strategies to increase perceptions of control may be promising intervention targets.

Authors

• Samantha Brown, Colorado State University
  Presenting Author

• Jenalee Doom, University of Denver
  Non-Presenting Author

• Stephanie Lechuga-Pena, Arizona State University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sarah E Watamura, University of Denver
  Non-Presenting Author

• Tiffany Koppels, Colorado State University
  Non-Presenting Author