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Stress & COVID-19: The Unique Experiences of Parents of Toddler and Preschool-Aged Children

Wed, April 7, 11:35am to 1:05pm EDT (11:35am to 1:05pm EDT), Virtual

Abstract

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit earlier this year, many families’ lives were disrupted. Families with toddlers and preschool-aged children faced unique challenges balancing childcare responsibilities with other family and work obligations, while also managing household stressors, and supporting their young children whose lives and routines were abruptly upended. In this study, we aim to describe the experiences, and perceived related stress, of parents of toddler and preschool-aged children during the months following the COVID-19 onset. We also examine the intersection of COVID-19 related stressors and family demographic risk.

Current study participants (N = 52) were drawn from a larger randomized controlled trial of Infant Mental Health Home Visiting (IMH-HV) services. The broader study included families with risk factors typical of those receiving IMH-HV services (e.g., eligible for public assistance, maternal mood symptoms, exposure to adverse events, and/or challenges with parenting or child behavior). Parents completed the COVID-19 Family Stress Screener (FSS) 21-34 months after enrollment in the larger study (child age M = 37.79 months, range = 21-51 months). The COVID-19 FSS is a self-report questionnaire that assesses individuals’ experiences of a number of different events, as well as subjective ratings of felt stress from COVID-19 related disruptions.

Parent-reported perceived stress was most commonly related to loss of childcare and a shift in caregiving responsibility, loss of social connections, balancing work and new responsibilities, and worries that they or a family member would contract COVID-19 (See Table 1). Nearly half of the sample wrote in additional concerns that were stressful, including the current sociopolitical climate, racial disparities, homeschooling/meeting children’s educational needs, and co-parenting. Parents reported increases in child temper tantrums and clingy behavior, as well as new problems in children’s sleep or eating patterns, regressions in toileting, and disruptions in routines. Several families also reported children’s increased connection with parents and/or siblings during this time.

Some events and felt stresses were different based on demographic factors. Although the total sample reported low stress related to discrimination, Non-White caregivers endorsed significantly more stress related to discrimination than White caregivers. Non-White caregivers endorsed more financial stress related to housing, utility, or other bills, but less stress related to tension between household members or loss of social connections than white caregivers. Further, while withdrawn child behavior was overall low, children residing in homes with more people were more likely to be endorsed by parents as withdrawn. Generally, older children were described as having more negative symptoms than younger children.

Participation in IMH-HV treatment was not associated with differences in COVID-19 related stressful experiences or perceived stress, though the COVID-19 related data collection occurred 18-32 months after participants’ treatment ended. Ongoing monthly data collection is planned; we will report patterns observed over time in COVID-19 related stressors as these data become available. In summary, among families with young children, the COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with increased stress for both parents and children, and racial disparities and discrimination can magnify these stresses for families of color.  

Authors