The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and public health measures that were necessary to minimize risk led to unique challenges for parents. Studies have found that the impact of the pandemic on stress, mental health, and substance use was different, and often more pronounced, among parents or caregivers than among those who did not care for children at that time.
A new study co-authored by CHRIM scientists Drs. Tracie Afifi, Leslie Roos, Tamara Taillieu and Ashley Stewart-Tufescu has studied parents’ COVID-19 stressors and associations with self-rated health, symptoms of mental health problems, and substance use.
The study team used data collected from February 2022 to March 2022 as part of Wave 2 of the Well-being and Experiences Study in Manitoba, Canada. The stressors frequently identified since the onset of the pandemic included the inability to spend time with family and friends, worry about getting coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), and travel restrictions. In the past month, the most frequently identified stressors were worrying about getting COVID-19, travel restrictions, public health restrictions, and worries about the future. The stressors with the greatest number of associations with worse health outcomes included: job loss or financial burden; feeling lonely or isolated; disrupted or poor sleep; uncertainty about the future; accessing health care for any reason; increased conflict in relationships; cancellation of surgeries, caregiving for children; and inability to spend time with family.
By understanding the COVID-19 stressors that were associated with health and substance problems, research can inform clinical approaches to respond to pandemic-related problems, as well as public health preparedness to mitigate declines in parents’ health and well-being in the context of future pandemics.
The specific stressors associated with negative outcomes suggest areas that might be targeted for additional support, intervention, and prevention for pandemic recovery, as well as public health preparedness to mitigate declines and/or bolster parents’ health and well-being in the context of future pandemics.