COVID-19 pandemic may have increased mental health issues within families
The researchers said understanding what can help parents maintain positive parenting practices is key for helping protect children during future crises.
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COVID-19 pandemic may have increased mental health issues within families
Katie Bohn
April 13, 2021
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, many families found themselves suddenly isolated together at home. A year later, new research has linked this period with a variety of large, detrimental effects on individuals’ and families’ well-being and functioning.
The study led by Penn State researchers found that in the first months of the pandemic, parents reported that their children were experiencing much higher levels of “internalizing” problems like depression and anxiety, and “externalizing” problems such as disruptive and aggressive behavior, than before the pandemic. Paren
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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in early 2020, many families found themselves suddenly isolated together at home. A year later, new research has linked this period with a variety of large, detrimental effects on individuals and families well-being and functioning.
The study led by Penn State researchers found that in the first months of the pandemic, parents reported that their children were experiencing much higher levels of internalizing problems like depression and anxiety, and externalizing problems such as disruptive and aggressive behavior, than before the pandemic. Parents also reported that they themselves were experiencing much higher levels of depression and lower levels of coparenting quality with their partners.