Impact of COVID-19 on Primary Caregivers of Children with and without Developmental Disabilities

• In Event: Effects of COVID-19 and the Pandemic Response on Families, Caregivers, and Children

Abstract

In the United States, nearly 17 million family caregivers provide support to children with developmental disabilities (DD; National Alliance for Caregiving & AARP, 2009). These caregivers are instrumental to supporting the physical, cognitive, socio-emotional, behavioral, and academic development of children with DD (Pinquart, 2018); these family caregivers must be physically and psychologically healthy in order to facilitate the best possible outcomes for the children they support (Quinn et al, 2013). Under typical circumstances, maintaining health and well-being has shown to be uniquely challenging for caregivers of children with DD (Chafouleas et al, 2020). The current global COVID-19 pandemic is presenting highly unique challenges; all caregivers are experiencing increased stress (Center on the Developing Child, 2020). Yet the situation presents additional challenges for caregivers of children with DD as they are now tasked with facilitating education, specialized instruction, and related services, without typical external resources. This study provides an exploration of the stress and mental health and well-being of caregivers of children with DD throughout global pandemic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate reported psychological distress, caregiving burden, and personal well-being needs of caregivers of children with moderate and severe DD. Comparison to caregivers of typically developing children was conducted, as well as change over a six-month period. Initial online surveys were conducted in April 2020 (N = 407) and follow-up interviews were conducted in May and June 2020. Results indicate that all caregivers indicated levels of psychological distress and caregiving burden, but that caregivers of children with DD experienced challenges at significantly higher levels. Follow-up surveys are currently being completed but will be closed after the first week of October 2020. Data will be analyzed using comparison procedures to determine within and between group differences between the initial and follow-up survey.

Authors

• Sandra M. Chafouleas, University of Connecticut
  Non-Presenting Author

• Emily A. Iovino, University of Connecticut
  Presenting Author