Parental Depression, Anxiety, and Mental Health Service Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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

Abstract

Background
Parents and families are facing increasing challenges and changes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mental health difficulties are increasingly acknowledged as a significant and concerning secondary effect of the pandemic. While limited, extant research on previous epidemics/pandemics provide support that parents may be at increased risk for mental health problems given the increased stressors and parenting demands. There is substantial research to support an impact of parental mental health problems on child socioemotional and cognitive development. As such, investigating parental mental health concerns is vital to promoting positive family functioning. The current study aimed to: (1) describe prevalence rates of maternal and paternal depression and anxiety from an online convenience sample during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) identify risk and protective factors for elevated symptoms, and (3) describe current mental health service use and barriers.

Methods
Participants were mothers (n = 641) and fathers (n = 46) of children age 0-8 years, including expectant parents. Participants were recruited through online advertisements, poster sharing on social media platforms, or through previous study participation to uphold physical distancing recommendations. Parents completed an online survey from April 14, 2020 to April 28, 2020 through the REDCap electronic data capture tool. The survey assessed mental health, sociodemographic information, and COVID-19-related variables. Participants were entered into a draw to win one of five $100/CAD electronic gift certificates. The study protocol was approved by the University of Manitoba Research Ethics Board.

Results
The majority of parents were Canadian (87.6%). Prevalence of clinically-relevant depression was reported in 33.16%, 42.55%, and 43.37% of mothers of children age 0-18 months, 18 months to 4 years, and 5 to 8 years, respectively. Preliminary evidence of paternal mental health suggested similarly elevated rates of 36.96% (n = 17/46). Prevalence of anxiety was 36.27%, 32.62%, and 29.59% for mothers across age groups, respectively. Clinically-relevant anxiety was indicated in 22.22% (n = 10/45) of fathers (Figure 1). Binomial logistic regressions indicated significant associations between risk factors and depression/anxiety across child age groups. Specifically, mental health history, increased stressful events in the past month, and increased financial strain were risk factors for depression or anxiety in mothers. Higher marital quality and older maternal age were protective factors against depression or anxiety in mothers. Conversely, higher financial strain was the only variable that significantly increased odds of depression or anxiety in fathers. Risk and protective factors will be discussed specifically for depression and anxiety across child age groups.

Conclusions
Parental depression and anxiety are elevated in the context of COVID-19 compared to previously reported population norms. For mothers, this increase in depression and anxiety appears to be a 1.5- to 4-fold increase, while mental health concerns in fathers appear to have increased by 2- to 3-fold. Identified risk factors for depression and anxiety across different child age ranges can inform targeted early intervention strategies to prevent long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on family well-being and child development.

Authors

• Emily E Cameron, University of Manitoba
  Presenting Author

• Kayla Marie Joyce, University of Manitoba
  Non-Presenting Author

• Chantal P Delaquis, Maastricht University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kristin Reynolds, University of Manitoba
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jennifer Protudjer, University of Manitoba
  Non-Presenting Author

• Leslie E. Roos, University of Manitoba
  Non-Presenting Author