Assessing the Influence of Parental Anxiety on Child Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

Background: Studies have investigated the psychosocial impact of infectious disease outbreaks in adults; however, there is limited information on the mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children and the general UAE community. The aim of this study was to explore anxiety levels among parents, teachers and the general community amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the UAE, as well as to identify emotional and anxiety disorders in children. Methods: Using a web-based cross-sectional survey we collected data from 2,200 self-selected, assessed volunteers. Demographic information, knowledge and beliefs about COVID-19, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) using the (GAD-7) scale , emotional problems in children using the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), worry and fear about COVID-19, coping mechanisms and general health information were collected. Results: The overall prevalence of GAD in the general population was 71% with younger people (59.8%) and females (51.7%) reporting highest levels of anxiety. Parents who were teachers reported the highest percentage of emotional problems in children (26.7%). Multivariate logistic regression for GAD-7 scores showed that being female, reporting high levels of worry associated with COVID-19, intention to take the COVID-19 vaccine and smoking were associated with higher levels of anxiety. Multivariate logistic regression for SDQ showed that parents with severe anxiety were seven times more likely to report emotional problems in their children than less anxious parents.Conclusions: This study is among the first to report the psychological impact of COVID-19 among adults and children in the UAE, and to highlight the significant association between parental and child anxiety. Findings suggest the urgency for policy makers to develop effective screening and coping strategies for parents and especially children.

The effect of online solution‐focused support program on parents with high level of anxiety in the COVID‐19 pandemic: A randomised controlled study

“…In the same study, the participants stated that the measures taken by the government to prevent the pandemic increased their anxiety. 24 In another study conducted with 1069 participants, it was stated that having a child is one of the reasons that increase anxiety during the COVID‐19 pandemic. 3 All these studies and our study findings show similarities in the sense that parental anxiety is high during the pandemic.…”

“…A descriptive information form which was prepared by the researchers in line with the literature 3 , 10 , 21 , 23 , 24 and the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory were used for collecting the data of the study.…”