scholarly journals Family Functioning in the Time of COVID-19 Among Economically Vulnerable Families: Risks and Protective Factors

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minxuan He ◽  
Natasha Cabrera ◽  
Jone Renteria ◽  
Yu Chen ◽  
Angelica Alonso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Functioning ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Parent Engagement ◽  
Prosocial Behaviors ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Social Stressors ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Vulnerable Families ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties

The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has been particularly harmful to economically vulnerable families with young children. We surveyed 247 low-income mothers and fathers from 142 families in the United States about changes in their family life following the economic and social restrictions imposed by the pandemic. We examined the associations between pandemic-related risk factors such as economic stressors (e.g., loss of job) and social stressors (e.g., exposure to the virus) on family functioning (e.g., parents’ mental health, parent engagement, and children’s socioemotional behaviors) and the degree to which coparenting support and parents’ positivity protected families from the negative effects of these stressors on their wellbeing. We found both positive and negative associations. Mothers and fathers who reported more economic stressors since the pandemic also observed that their children behaved more prosocially and that fathers experienced more mental health difficulties during the pandemic. Mothers and fathers who reported more social stressors reported that they were less engaged with their children and their children exhibited more behavior problems compared to before the pandemic. We also found that mothers and fathers who reported feeling more positive also reported feeling less depressed and stressed during the pandemic and observed that their children had more prosocial behaviors compared to before the pandemic. Compared to before the pandemic, mothers and fathers who reported a more supportive coparenting relationship also reported more parent engagement and observed more prosocial behaviors in their children. In terms of protective factors, high levels of parent positivity during the pandemic protected mothers (less mental health difficulties) whereas high levels of coparenting support protected fathers (less mental health difficulties) from the negative effects of economic stress on their mental health during the pandemic. These findings highlight family processes that could promote resilience in mothers and fathers in the face of pandemic-related economic and social stressors.

scholarly journals Quality of Life and Mental Health in Mothers and Fathers Caring for Children and Adolescents with Rare Diseases Requiring Long-Term Mechanical Ventilation

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
pp. 8975
Author(s):  
Johannes Boettcher ◽  
Jonas Denecke ◽  
Claus Barkmann ◽  
Silke Wiegand-Grefe
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Family Functioning ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Rare Diseases ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Mothers And Fathers

(1) Parents caring for children and adolescents with rare diseases fear the long-term progression of the child’s disease and the loss of their parental role. The aim of this study was to examine the quality of life, mental health and associated protective factors of mothers and fathers caring for children with rare diseases requiring mechanical long-term ventilation. (2) In a cross-sectional design, data on quality of life, mental health, coping mechanisms, social support and family functioning from n = 75 affected families were collected using standardized psychometric questionnaires. (3) Mothers compared to fathers were significantly more impaired in their quality of life and mental health. Protective factors significantly associated with the respective outcomes for mothers were coping mechanisms, social support and family functioning, whereas for fathers solely the latter was found to be significant. Multiple regression analyses showed that family functioning may be the most important predictor of quality of life and mental health. (4) The results support the need for family-oriented care in parents of children with rare diseases. To reach optimal efficiency, health care providers should not only screen parents for psychosocial impairment but also provide interventions that consider gender-specific differences in psychological health.

scholarly journals Vulnerability pathways to mental health outcomes in children and parents during COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jala Rizeq ◽  
Daphne J. Korczak ◽  
Katherine Tombeau Cost ◽  
Evdokia Anagnostou ◽  
Alice Charach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Functioning ◽  
Child Mental Health ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Material Deprivation ◽  
Reciprocal Effects ◽  
Prevention Policy ◽  
Economic Vulnerability ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Socioeconomic And Demographic Factors

AbstractWe examined pathways from pre-existing psychosocial and economic vulnerability to mental health difficulties and stress in families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from two time points from a multi-cohort study initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic were used. Parents of children 6–18 years completed questionnaires on pre-COVID-19 socioeconomic and demographic factors in addition to material deprivation and stress due to COVID-19 restrictions, mental health, and family functioning. Youth 10 years and older also completed their own measures of mental health and stress. Using structural equation modelling, pathways from pre-existing vulnerability to material deprivation and stress due to COVID-19 restrictions, mental health, and family functioning, including reciprocal pathways, were estimated. Pre-existing psychosocial and economic vulnerability predicted higher material deprivation due to COVID-19 restrictions which in turn was associated with parent and child stress due to restrictions and mental health difficulties. The reciprocal effects between increased child and parent stress and greater mental health difficulties at Time 1 and 2 were significant. Reciprocal effects between parent and child mental health were also significant. Finally, family functioning at Time 2 was negatively impacted by child and parent mental health and stress due to COVID-19 restrictions at Time 1. Psychosocial and economic vulnerability is a risk factor for material deprivation during COVID-19, increasing the risk of mental health difficulties and stress, and their reciprocal effects over time within families. Implications for prevention policy and parent and child mental health services are discussed.

scholarly journals Perceived mental health in parents of children with rare congenital surgical diseases: a double ABCX model considering gender

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Boettcher ◽  
Holger Zapf ◽  
Mareike Fuerboeter ◽  
Rojin Nazarian ◽  
Konrad Reinshagen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Functioning ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Parental Adaptation ◽  
Double Abcx Model ◽  
Pile Up ◽  
Double Abcx ◽  
Abcx Model

Abstract Background Previous research has supported the utility of the Double ABCX model of family adaptation for parents in various diseases. Nonetheless, it remains unclear how raising a child with rare congenital surgical diseases impacts the mental health of both mothers and fathers. Methods The potential predictors of maternal and paternal mental health in a German sample of 210 parents of children with rare congenital surgical diseases were investigated. Parents were investigated cross-sectionally utilizing standardized psychometric questionnaires that assessed factors attributed to parental adaptation within the Double ABCX model. Results Stressor pile-up, family functioning, perceived stress, and mental health were positively associated with mothers and fathers. However, further analyses revealed that family functioning, social support, and perceived stress fully mediated the positive association between stressor pile-up and mental health in mothers, but not fathers. Conclusion Our findings suggest that parental adaptation to a rare congenital surgical disease in their children may be improved by increased intra- and extrafamilial resources and decreased perceived family-related stress in mothers, but not fathers. Our results may help to identify gender-specific factors that may guide clinicians and future interventions.

scholarly journals Material Hardship in Families With Low Income: Positive Effects of Coparenting on Fathers’ and Mothers’ Parenting and Children’s Prosocial Behaviors

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Y. Lee ◽  
Brenda L. Volling ◽  
Shawna J. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Prosocial Behaviors ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Risk And Resilience ◽  
Material Hardship ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Responsive Parenting ◽  
Positive Effects

Families with low income experience high levels of economic insecurity, but less is known about how mothers and fathers in such families successfully navigate coparenting and parenting in the context of material hardship. The current study utilized a risk and resilience framework to investigate the underlying family processes linking material hardship and children’s prosocial behaviors in a sample of socioeconomically disadvantaged mother-father families with preschoolers from the Building Strong Families project (N = 452). Coparenting alliance and mothers’ and fathers’ responsive parenting were examined as mediators. Results of structural equation modeling showed that coparenting alliance was associated with higher levels of both mothers’ and fathers’ responsive parenting. Subsequently, both parents’ responsive parenting were associated with higher levels of children’s prosocial behaviors. Material hardship was not associated with coparenting alliance and either parent’s responsive parenting. Tests of indirect effects confirmed that the effects of coparenting alliance on children’s prosocial behaviors were mediated through both mothers’ and fathers’ responsive parenting. Overall, these results suggest that when mothers and fathers have a strong coparenting alliance, they are likely to withstand the negative effects of material hardship and thus engage in positive parenting behaviors that benefit their children’s prosocial development. Family strengthening interventions, including responsible fatherhood programs, would do well to integrate a strong focus on enhancing a positive coparenting alliance between mothers and fathers.

scholarly journals Model Konseptual Resiliensi di Masa Pandemi Covid-19: Pengaruh Religiusitas, Dukungan Sosial dan Spiritualitas

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Wildani Khoiri Oktavia ◽  
Pipih Muhopilah
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Negative Effects

The spread of Covid-19 has various negative effects on mental health. One of the protective factors for decreased mental health is resilience. This literature review aims to apprehend the theoretical model of the factors that influence resilience. The results of this study indicate that resilience might be molded by religiosity, social support and spirituality. Religiosity, social support and spirituality might help one to increase the level of resilience, which might in turn be a protective factor for decreasing mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Responsive caregiving, opportunities for early learning, and children’s safety and security during COVID-19: A rapid review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerrie Proulx ◽  
Rachel Lenzi-Weisbecker ◽  
Rachel Hatch ◽  
Kristy Hackett ◽  
Carina Omoeva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Child Neglect ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Potential Child ◽  
Vulnerable Families ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Parent Child Relationships ◽  
Global Stakeholders

ABSTRACTIntroductionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been drastic changes in family life and programs and services that promote and protect early childhood development. Global stakeholders have raised concerns that the pandemic is putting enormous strain on parents and other caregivers, compromising capabilities and enabling environments for nurturing care of young children and therefore likely impacting children’s development.MethodologyThis rapid review takes stock of emerging research on nurturing care for young children during the COVID-19 crisis. Two databases were searched in addition to an extensive search for grey literature, drawing on 112 scholarly and scientific studies from more than 30 countries that have examined components of nurturing care during the pandemic, namely: responsive caregiving, early learning and play, and children’s safety and security.ResultsThere are some reports of unexpected positive benefits of the pandemic on families, including increased father involvement in caregiving. But more commonly, the studies’ findings reveal numerous issues of concern, including parental and caregiver mental health difficulties and less responsive parent-child relationships, increased screen time among children, limited opportunities for outdoor play, and fractured systems for responding to potential child neglect and maltreatment. Evidence suggests limited access and challenges in the provision of remote learning for the youngest learners, such as those in early childhood education.ConclusionThe findings can inform global stakeholders, who have advocated for increased support and funding to ensure young children and other caregivers are supported and protected during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is an urgent need for action-oriented implementation studies – those that go beyond identifying trends and begin to pinpoint “what works” to effectively promote and protect nurturing care during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.Key questionsWhat is already known?The most fundamental promotive experiences in the early years of life to reach optimal development come from nurturing care and protection received from parents, family, and community, which have lifelong benefits including improved health and wellbeing. Health and other emergencies are detrimental to the provision of nurturing care.What are the new findings?Findings from this rapid review reveal numerous areas of concern, including families reporting mental health difficulties and less responsive parent-child relationships, increased screen time among children, limited opportunities for outdoor play, and fractured systems for responding to potential child neglect and maltreatment. As with other features of this pandemic, not all families are affected equally: financially vulnerable families are much more likely to experience negative ramifications. The pandemic is also disproportionately affecting parents and other caregivers with young children, particularly mothers, those with pre-existing mental health difficulties, and those caring for children with disabilities.What do the new findings imply?Findings highlight the need for action by governments, civil society, international and community-based organizations to improve support for families so that the pandemic does not break the provision of nurturing care and wipe out decades of progress, especially for vulnerable families and children.

Stress, Marital Satisfaction, and Psychological Distress Among African Americans

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 1081-1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen D. Lincoln ◽  
David H. Chae
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Psychological Distress ◽  
African Americans ◽  
Marital Satisfaction ◽  
Marital Quality ◽  
Financial Strain ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Social Stressors ◽  
Unfair Treatment

This study examines relationships among financial strain, unfair treatment, and martial satisfaction among African Americans. Using data from the National Survey of American Life, findings indicated that social stressors that occur inside of the home (i.e., financial strain) as well as those experienced outside of the home (i.e., unfair treatment) have negative consequences for marital quality and psychological distress. Furthermore, the combination of experiencing unfair treatment and financial strain has particularly deleterious mental health consequences for married African Americans. Results also highlight the protective effect of marital satisfaction on psychological distress as well as its potential to buffer the negative effects of unfair treatment and financial strain on psychological distress. Implications for policy to improve marital quality and promote the mental health of African Americans are discussed.

FC03-01 - The relationship of internet addiction with family functioning and mental health among Iranian students

2011 ◽  
Vol 26 (S2) ◽  
pp. 1822-1822 ◽  
Author(s):  
O. Alizadeh Sahraee ◽  
Z. Khosravi ◽  
M. Yusefnejad
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Functioning ◽  
Family Environment ◽  
Internet Addiction ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Family Style ◽  
Iranian Students ◽  
The Relationship

IntroductionOne salient impact of information technology on students’ lives is the ever-increasing use of the Internet. Although there exist many reports in the media regarding the unhealthy Internet use among students, research is still limited.ObjectivesThus, the purpose of the present study was to examine the relation of internet addiction with family functioning and mental health among students. Two-hundred and eighty students from high school and guidance school were selected by multiple cluster sampling method. They participated in the present study by completing internet addiction questionnaire, family functioning scale and mental health questionnair.The method of this study was descriptive and correlational in order to analyze the results, descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) and inferential statistics (correlations and regression) were used.ResultsThe results showed negative significant correlation between internet addiction and some subscale of family function such as assertiveness, entertainment orientation and religious emphasis. Results also indicated positive significant correlation between 3 subscales of family functioning including dissociation, conflicts and authoritarian family style with internet addiction. No significant correlations were found between other subscales and internet addiction.Regarding the relationship between mental health and addiction to Internet, research results indicate a significant positive correlation between overall mental health score and two subscale of depression and somatization with internet addiction.ConclusionsThe results of this study confirmed the negative effects of Internet addiction on mental health and emphasized the importance of family on intensifying internet addiction. Hence in designing treatment programs, family environment must be considered.

scholarly journals Parenting Stress and Mental Health in Midlife Adults: Evaluating the Role of Gender

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 861-862
Author(s):  
Jean Choi ◽  
Elizabeth Munoz ◽  
Robin Corley ◽  
Sally Wadsworth ◽  
Chandra Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Parenting Stress ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Multilevel Models ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Mothers And Fathers ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Midlife Adults

Abstract Parenthood is a major source of stress in midlife that can have adverse consequences for long-term mental health trajectories. Yet, little research asks how parenting stress impacts mental health for both mothers and fathers in midlife. The current study examined (a) whether parenting stress was associated with parental depressive and anxiety symptoms and (b) whether these associations vary by gender. We utilized data from the ongoing Colorado Adoption/Twin Study of Lifespan behavioral development and cognitive aging (CATSLife); participants were aged 28 to 49 who reported having child(ren) (N = 520). Participants completed surveys that encompassed measures of demographics, relationships, health, and well-being. Overall, multilevel models accounting for non-independence among siblings and with relevant covariates (e.g., number of children, marital status) showed that higher levels of parenting stress were associated with greater depressive (b = .47 (.12), p<.001) and anxiety (b = .27 (.09), p<.05) symptoms. An evaluation of the individual parenting stress items indicated that feeling less happy and more overwhelmed in the parental role were significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Parents who reported feeling less close to their children were also significantly more likely to report greater levels of depressive symptoms. These effects were consistent across mothers and fathers. Our study provides further insight into the negative associations between parenting stress and mental health among both mothers and fathers, and warrants further investigation into resources that may buffer these negative effects prior to late life.

Associations between social camouflaging and internalizing symptoms in autistic and non-autistic adolescents

Autism ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 136236132199728
Author(s):  
Courtney J Bernardin ◽  
Timothy Lewis ◽  
Debora Bell ◽  
Stephen Kanne
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Skills ◽  
Internalizing Symptoms ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Autistic Traits ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
Self Acceptance ◽  
The Relationship

Autistic individuals experience higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities than their peers. Camouflaging, the process through which individuals hide autistic traits, can be detrimental to mental health. This may be particularly true for autistic females, although research on sex differences in the relationship between camouflaging and mental health has focused on adults. The purpose of this study was to extend previous research on camouflaging and mental health through examining age, sex, autism diagnosis, and camouflaging as predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress levels in autistic and non-autistic adolescents. One hundred forty adolescents ages 13–18 years (62 non-autistic, 58 female) completed an online survey including measures of camouflaging, autistic traits, and internalizing symptoms. Hierarchical linear regression was used to examine age, sex, diagnosis, and camouflaging as predictors of internalizing symptoms. Findings suggest that level of camouflaging is an important predictor of depression, anxiety, and stress in autistic and non-autistic adolescents and that camouflaging may be particularly distressing for females, regardless of diagnosis. These findings inform our understanding of camouflaging and its consequences and point to future directions for support for autistic and non-autistic adolescents. Clinicians may consider interventions targeting social skills, self-acceptance, and self-esteem to reduce possible negative effects of camouflaging. Lay abstract Autistic individuals have more mental health difficulties than non-autistic individuals. It is important to understand why this might be. Research has shown that camouflaging, or strategies used to hide autistic traits, might contribute to mental health difficulties in autistic adults. We examined whether this was also the case for autistic adolescents. This study included 140 adolescents ages 13–18 years (62 non-autistic, 58 female). All participants answered questions about camouflaging, autistic traits, and mental health difficulties. We found that autistic and non-autistic adolescents who reported higher levels of camouflaging also reported higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. We also found that camouflaging might be particularly stressful for females. These findings improve our understanding of camouflaging during adolescence and point to potential ways to support autistic adolescents, such as help with social skills, self-acceptance, and self-esteem. The findings also support the importance of increasing autism acceptance in the general population.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document