Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Parenting Stress, Social Support, and Discipline Practices Among Recipients of SNAP Supports

• In Event: Poster Session 11
  In Poster Session: PS 11 Topic - Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the lives of families and individuals, altering daily experiences and the way people interact with each other. In the absence of normal social activities and the exposure to high stress situations related to the pandemic, greater parent responsibilities and level of parental stressors are likely to negatively affect families (Griffith, 2020). Additionally, school and daycare closures continue to limit child interactions with mandatory reporters and increase the amount of time children spend inside the home, posing significant risks for child maltreatment (Baron, Goldstein, & Wallace, 2020). The economic impact of COVID-19 also presents a unique risk for families accessing public assistance programs, such as SNAP and TANF (Kinsey, Kinsey & Rundle, 2020), suggesting the need for research about parenting that is focused on more vulnerable populations. The present study aims to address this gap in the literature by identifying mechanisms which minimize the negative impact of COVID-related stressors on parenting practices and minimize risk for child maltreatment.
We propose that the relationship between COVID-related stressors and subsequent harsh parenting practices is mediated by parenting stressors (H1). Assuming the first hypothesis, the indirect effect of parenting stressors on harsh parenting practices is hypothesized to be moderated by parental sources of support (H2). Our next hypothesis proposes that parental sources of support moderate the relationship between COVID-related stressors and harsh parenting practices (H3). Lastly, we hypothesize that economic strain will moderate the relationship between COVID-related stressors and parenting stress (H4).
Participants for this cross-sectional study were recruited from state records of SNAP recipients via email. Individuals with an email address registered with the state agency overseeing SNAP services received information about the study, including a link to the anonymous online survey. A total of n=2948 participated in the study. The survey consisted of 11 measures with content related to COVID-19 exposure and stress, parenting practices and satisfaction, economic strains, sources of social support, and state program involvement.
Data collection for the present study is complete and analyses are currently underway. Moderation and mediation models will be run through the PROCESS procedure for SPSS (Hayes, 2017). The following PROCESS Models will be used to test our hypotheses; Model 4 for H1, Model 15 for H2 and H3. Model 1 for H4. Our data analyses will control for race of parent, gender of parent, gender of children, and age of children.
The results of the present study will provide more in-depth information about parenting during COVID-19, with a particular focus on SNAP participants. Identifying the extent to which COVID-related stress and parenting stressors are relevant to child maltreatment risks, will also help guide prevention, intervention and future research about child maltreatment.

Authors

• Marci Cross-Ramirez, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
  Presenting Author

• Isabel Marcovici, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
  Non-Presenting Author

• Christian M. Connell, Pennsylvania State University, University Park
  Non-Presenting Author

• Michael J Strambler, Yale School of Medicine
  Non-Presenting Author