Impact of Social Distancing on the Mental Health of Parents and Children in Qatar

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of COVID-19-related social distancing practices on parents and children’s mental health and explored joint parent-child activities and coping strategies among Arab families in Qatar. The sample of 308 parents answered self-reported questionnaires regarding their mental health, coping strategies, activities with their children, social distancing practices, and their children’s mental health. Pearson’s correlation coefficient and structural equation modeling were carried out. The results showed a significant positive correlation between social distancing and parents’ activities with their children and their coping strategies, as well as between parents’ mental health, activities with their children, children’s mental health, and parents’ coping strategies. Path analysis showed that social distancing practices influence both parents’ and children’s mental health through parents’ activities with children and their coping strategies. Our findings revealed how living under stressful conditions, such as COVID-19, could enhance the mental health of family members.

Nurturing care during COVID-19: a rapid review of early evidence

“…Studies found that partner support and cooperative co-parenting,13 14 20 32 and moderate physical exercise17 29 were associated with better mental health and coping among parents and caregivers during the pandemic. Lastly, some studies point towards mixed and potentially positive impacts of the COVID-19 restrictions on deepening family ties, improving couples’ relationships, and developing new family hobbies or activities 13 22 46 52–54. However, such positive benefits were typically found among parents and caregivers of older children (ie, adolescents) and families with several protective factors, including financial stability, comfortable and safe homes, enough food to eat, good health and healthy couple relationships 22 46.…”

The Research Progress and Practice Exploration of the Spread Period during COVID-19

“…Also, family members can bear closer bonds while staying relatively "alone as a team" in the state of extensive quarantining. [18] To recap, social distancing as an important executive measure of limiting the spread of COVID-19 is increasingly being implemented worldwide. An optimistic foresight is that people are making an effort to minimize the loss of changing lifestyle and social productivity, aiming to reach a balance between effective disease control and relatively energetic social environment, instead of abandoning sustainability for expedient decrease of case numbers in this prolonged war against COVID-19.…”

The impact of COVID-19 response measures on the quality of life for children in the Eastern Mediterranean region using an exposome approach: a narrative review

“…The 19 Pakistan 20 and Saudi Arabia 21 ; 3 studies described the delayed vaccination patterns among children in Saudi Arabia, [22][23][24] while 2 studies looked into children's behavioral changes in Qatar 25 and Egypt, 26 and 2 others tackled the impact of home confinement on children's relationship with their parents in Qatar 27 and Saudi Arabia. 28 Two papers analyzed the Poliomyelitis surveillance system performance indicators as well as national immunization activities taking place in Afghanistan and Pakistan.…”

“…28 The positive association between parental engagement in activities and enhanced mental health for children during home confinement was highlighted in a national study among parents (n=308) that took place in Qatar between June and July 2020. 27…”

“…94 Nevertheless, a potentially beneficial effect of NPIs was noted, as some studies showed positive association between parental engagement in activities and enhanced mental health for children. 27,28 Missed or delayed vaccinations in the region with suboptimal vaccination coverage during the COVID-19 period have put millions of children at higher risk of pediatric vaccine-preventable diseases. In case immunization activities are suspended for quite longer than the lockdown periods, millions of children in the region will be left with a lack or incomplete vaccination against essential vaccinepreventable diseases, hence holding back decades of efforts made by governments and health organizations in reducing related-morbidity and mortality as well as achieving elimination or eradication goals.…”