Caregivers’ Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Children’s Behavior

The COVID-19 pandemic has financial and emotional impacts on families. We explored how caregivers’ financial strain and mental health are associated with changes in their young children’s behavior during the pandemic. We additionally considered whether having a sense of purpose moderated these associations. Caregivers ( n = 300) in the emergency department of a children’s hospital were surveyed anonymously about changes to their employment (e.g., reduced/increased hours and job loss), ability to pay for expenses and whether their child’s behavior had changed. Aligned with the Family Stress Model, caregivers’ financial strain was associated with poor mental health, inconsistent sleep routines, and changes in children’s problematic and prosocial behaviors. A sense of purpose buffered some of these relationships. Families are differently affected by the pandemic and our findings underscore the need for supporting caregivers’ mental health and connecting them with resources.

Effect of family stress on life satisfaction among female workers during the COVID-19 epidemic in China: Exploring the roles of anxiety symptoms and age

The study aimed to investigate the level of life satisfaction (LS) among Chinese female workers after resuming work during the COVID-19 epidemic, and to further explore the potential mediating and moderating roles in the association between family stress and LS. Self-reported questionnaires were completed by 10,175 participants. Results showed that the level of LS decreased. The family stress had a negative effect on LS, and the effect was mediated by anxiety symptoms. Additionally, age moderated the direct and indirect effects within this relationship. Interventions aiming to improve LS should consider these aspects and younger workers should be given special attention.

Chronic and cumulative adverse life events in patients of premature ovarian insufficiency with unknown cause: an exploratory qualitative study

Background Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) has serious physical and psychological consequences due to estrogen deprivation, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. However, the causes of most POI cases remain unknown (idiopathic POI). Environmental factors play an important role in the occurrence of complex diseases. To explore whether chronic and cumulative adverse life events occur in patients before POI diagnosis. Searching for the potential relative risk factors may find an intervention strategy to prevent POI in young women.Results Forty-three women (mean age=33·8 years) were recruited who were newly- diagnosed with idiopathic POI in a Chinese Ob/Gyn hospital to participate in semi-structured interviews through convenience sampling. The main questions covered by the topic guide were designed to explore adverse life events prior to POI diagnosis. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically. Data were analyzed from June 2019 to August 2020. Among the POI patients, the mean age at diagnosis of POI was 33·8 years (range from 19 to 39 years), and the average time between the onset of irregular menstruation and POI diagnosis was 2.3 years. These patients had a relatively normal menstrual cycle before the diagnosis of POI. A number of stressful life events prior to POI diagnosis were discussed by them as important factors influencing their health and well-being. Four core themes emerged: 1) persistent exposure to workplace stress, 2) persistent exposure to family stress, 3) chronic sleep problem/disturbance existed in patients before POI diagnosis, and 4) participants' general cognition and concerns about POI. Conclusions Persistent exposures to adverse life events related to work stress, family stress and sleep disturbance exist in idiopathic POI patients. In addition, patients and their families generally have incorrect cognition of POI disease and its treatment. Future case-control studies should demonstrate whether chronic and cumulative adverse life events are risk factors of POI disease. Provision of tailored interventions (i.e. preventing or mitigating impact of adverse life events) aimed at high-risk populations is urgently needed to prevent new POI cases and promoting understanding of disease may improve health conditions of POI patients.

Clinical, financial and social impacts of COVID-19 and their associations with mental health for mothers and children experiencing adversity in Australia

Background Australia has maintained low rates of SARS-COV-2 (COVID-19) infection, due to geographic location and strict public health restrictions. However, the financial and social impacts of these restrictions can negatively affect parents’ and children’s mental health. In an existing cohort of mothers recruited for their experience of adversity, this study examined: 1) families’ experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and public health restrictions in terms of clinical exposure, financial hardship family stress, and family resilience (termed ‘COVID-19 impacts’); and 2) associations between COVID-19 impacts and maternal and child mental health. Methods Participants were mothers recruited during pregnancy (2013–14) across two Australian states (Victoria and Tasmania) for the ‘right@home’ trial. A COVID-19 survey was conducted from May-December 2020, when children were 5.9–7.2 years old. Mothers reported COVID-19 impacts, their own mental health (Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales short-form) and their child’s mental health (CoRonavIruS Health and Impact Survey subscale). Associations between COVID-19 impacts and mental health were examined using regression models controlling for pre-COVID-19 characteristics. Results 319/406 (79%) mothers completed the COVID-19 survey. Only one reported having had COVID-19. Rates of self-quarantine (20%), job or income loss (27%) and family stress (e.g., difficulty managing children’s at-home learning (40%)) were high. Many mothers also reported family resilience (e.g., family found good ways of coping (49%)). COVID-19 impacts associated with poorer mental health (standardised coefficients) included self-quarantine (mother: β = 0.46, child: β = 0.46), financial hardship (mother: β = 0.27, child: β = 0.37) and family stress (mother: β = 0.49, child: β = 0.74). Family resilience was associated with better mental health (mother: β = -0.40, child: β = -0.46). Conclusions The financial and social impacts of Australia’s public health restrictions have substantially affected families experiencing adversity, and their mental health. These impacts are likely to exacerbate inequities arising from adversity. To recover from COVID-19, policy investment should include income support and universal access to family health services.