Exploring American Parents’ Lived Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Ramifications for Well-Being

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to document the direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parents and families in the United States. Methods Parents’ experiences during the pandemic were examined using an online survey (N = 564) collected during May and June 2020. Results Parents reported experiencing a high frequency of COVID-19-related events (e.g., job loss and health concerns) and impact on their lives. Parents’ experiences with COVID-19, as well as self-reported perceived increase in home labor, experiences with assisting children with remote schooling, and work-life conflict were all significantly associated with higher levels of parental role overload. COVID-19-related events and impact, as well as parental role overload, significantly predicted parents’ anxiety and depression, even after controlling for demographic factors. Conclusions The findings suggest the importance of providing support for parents and families through direct services and public policy changes.

Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on refugee communities in San Diego, California: A participatory action research cross-sectional study

“…Younger respondents reported higher levels of adverse community effects overall, and in seven of eight individual effects assessed. Given that the mean age of respondents in this sample was 40, but ranged from 18 to 96, younger respondents may be more aware of changes brought on in their communities by the COVID-19 pandemic because the adverse effects assessed focus on income generation and school, factors more likely to affect younger respondents ( Kaugars et al, 2021 ). Additionally, older respondents may have experienced more severe trauma from factors such as war, persecution and natural disasters in their home countries, potentially making them less sensitive to issues such as COVID.…”

American Women’s Experiences With Intimate Partner Violence during the Start of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Risk Factors and Mental Health Implications

“…However, it is also important to note that the research on women's IPV experiences and employment is complex. For example, women who experience IPV are more likely to have job loss or employment instability as a result of their IPV experiences ( Browne et al, 1999 ; Crowne et al, 2011 , Kimerling et al., 2009 ; Showalter, 2016 ). Furthermore, some older research suggests that women who have higher occupational status or income than their male partner are at a greater risk of IPV ( Anderson, 1997 ; Hornung et al., 1981 ) than women in a relationship that is more gender traditional in regard to employment and income.…”

Parental burnout and emotion regulation in context: Considerations for science and practice.

“…In this domain, aspects that impact the resources available to parents are particularly relevant to parental burnout. Factors such as inadequate access to healthcare and affordable childcare, limited educational opportunities, economic strain, exposure to violence, gender, and racial/ethnic minority status have been consistently linked to parenting-related experiences including childrearing behaviors, satisfaction in the parenting role, and parenting stress (e.g., Kaugars et al, 2022; Kotchick & Forehand, 2002). Moreover, several sociodemographic characteristics including having a low monthly income, sex, number of children, education level, and job status have been directly associated with elevated parental burnout (e.g., Lebert-Charron et al, 2018; Mikolajczak & Roskam, 2018).…”

“…There are surely additional relevant contexts not discussed herein. For example, if we position this mother’s experience within the context of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, their risk/resource imbalance would most certainly be exacerbated by the unprecedented and significant demands placed on parents during this time, including burdens related to remote schooling and work, increased caregiving responsibilities, and heightened depression and anxiety symptoms (e.g., Kaugars et al, 2022). The dynamic interplay between contexts introduces additional levels of complexity.…”