Helicopter Parenting and Emerging Adulthood Mental Health during COVID-19: A Longitudinal Study Examining Changes from 2019 to Fall 2020

• In Event: Poster Session 10
  In Poster Session: PS 10 Topic - Parenting & Parent-Child Relationships

Abstract

Early research suggests that individuals are experiencing increased mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic (Pierce et al., 2020). Emerging adulthood is an especially important developmental period to consider as rates of mental illness during this period are heightened (Ho, Chee, & Ho, 2020). One factor that contributes to mental health outcomes in emerging adulthood is helicopter parenting, which can be particularly harmful as young adults are working toward developmental goals of self-reliance and autonomy (Kouros et al., 2017). Helicopter parenting is associated with increased depressive symptoms in emerging adults (Cook, 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic presents a unique opportunity to examine associations between helicopter parenting and emerging adult mental health. Few studies have been able to examine the effect a global pandemic may have on mental health during emerging adulthood or explore whether the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic has led to changes in helicopter parenting. In the USA, college students have returned to campus amid rising rates of COVID-19 infections. Parents and students were faced with difficult decisions about whether to return to campus and students have grappled with the challenges of online classes, quarantines, and possible illness. The purpose of the current study was twofold: (1) to examine changes in helicopter parenting and mental health outcomes from pre-COVID-19 to Fall 2020, and (2) to examine changes in the association between helicopter parenting and mental health outcomes during the same period.

Authors

• Whitney Sullivan, Texas Christian University
  Presenting Author

• Deborah Rafferty, Texas Christian University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Naomi Ekas, Texas Christian University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Chrystyna D Kouros, Southern Methodist University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Madeline Jane Filippi, Texas Christian University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Camille Eastin, Texas Christian University
  Non-Presenting Author