ERIC Number: ED659412
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Understanding Family Life during the COVID-19 Shutdown
Britt Singletary; Kammi K. Schmeer; Kelly M. Purtell; Robin C. Sayers; Laura M. Justice; Tzu-Jung Lin; Hui Jiang
Grantee Submission
Objective: Our study investigates how changes in family contexts were associated with child behaviors during Ohio's COVID-19 shutdown of early 2020. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused major economic and social changes for families. Rapid research was conducted to assess these changes and their potential impacts on child behaviors. Method: Using a diverse sample of families with children aged birth to 9 years (N = 559), we describe key economic changes and parent-reported stressors experienced during Ohio's shutdown period. Then, we use regression models to examine how these family conditions were associated with child emotional distress and changes in sleep routines. Results: When parents experienced more total COVID-19 pandemic-related stressors, they also reported that their children exhibited more anxious and withdrawn, fearful, acting out, and COVID-19 pandemic-related behaviors (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Families and children living at home in Ohio experienced significant stress during the shutdown. These findings can be used to inform future studies of the social and economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for parents and children. Implications: Families and children have experienced multiple stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers and practitioners should continue to monitor and support families and children to mitigate potential lasting consequences. [This is the online version of an article published in "Family Relations."]
Descriptors: Family Environment, COVID-19, Pandemics, Child Behavior, Young Children, Anxiety, Sleep, Parent Child Relationship
Publication Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Institute of Education Sciences (ED); National Institutes of Health (NIH) (DHHS)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Ohio
IES Funded: Yes
Grant or Contract Numbers: R305A180004; R305N160024; 1R01DC01800901; 3R01DC01800901S1