Publication Date
10-18-2022
Keywords
anxiety, family, child, COVID-19, pandemic, mental health, public health
Abstract
Purpose: The objective of this study was to explore parent and child anxiety during the pandemic. Unlike previous pandemics, measures implemented to prevent the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have been much more limiting.
Methods: An explanatory convergent mixed-methods design was used to describe anxiety of children 9–17 years of age and their parents during August–October 2020. Adult and child versions of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) were used to examine levels as measured on STAI’s state-anxiety subscale. Web-based interviews with a subset of patients were conducted qualitatively to analyze anxiety-related themes.
Results: A total of 188 parents and 140 children responded to the questionnaires. Mean overall anxiety scores for parents (49.17 [standard deviation: 12.247]) and children (35.43 [standard deviation: 7.894]) were higher than published norms. Parent and child anxiety were positively correlated (r = 0.36; P = 0.01). From interviews with 11 parents and 11 children; 4 major themes and 10 subthemes describing physical and emotional outcomes resulting from limited social contact, work and family role strain, and uncertainty about COVID-19 were identified.
Conclusion: Parents and children reported elevated anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings of this study can guide the development of strategies that mitigate the negative impact of isolation, role strain, and uncertainty related to future public health crises.
Recommended Citation
Abela KM, Acorda D, Cron S, LoBiondo-Wood G. Parent and child anxiety evaluated during an early period of the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods study. J Patient Cent Res Rev. 2022;9:272-81. doi: 10.17294/2330-0698.1950
Included in
Maternal and Child Health Commons, Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons, Other Mental and Social Health Commons, Pediatric Nursing Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Public Health and Community Nursing Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons
Submitted
January 27th, 2022
Accepted
June 2nd, 2022
