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

Jala Rizeq1, Daphne J Korczak1,2, Katherine Tombeau Cost1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), 555 University Ave, Psychiatry Research, 4th Floor, Black Wing, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8 Canada.

Current Psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.)
|November 24, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Pre-existing vulnerability increased material deprivation during COVID-19, leading to parent and child stress and mental health issues. These effects were reciprocal over time, impacting family functioning.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to family well-being.
  • Pre-existing socioeconomic and psychosocial factors may exacerbate pandemic-related stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the pathways from pre-existing vulnerability to mental health and stress in families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To examine the reciprocal effects of stress and mental health difficulties over time within families.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from a multi-cohort study with two time points during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Employed structural equation modeling to analyze pathways.
  • Collected parent and youth self-report data on socioeconomic factors, material deprivation, stress, mental health, and family functioning.

Main Results:

  • Pre-existing vulnerability predicted increased material deprivation due to COVID-19 restrictions.
  • Material deprivation was associated with heightened parent and child stress and mental health difficulties.
  • Significant reciprocal effects were found between parent and child stress and mental health difficulties over time.
  • Parent and child mental health and stress at Time 1 negatively impacted family functioning at Time 2.

Conclusions:

  • Psychosocial and economic vulnerability are significant risk factors for material deprivation during the pandemic.
  • These factors increase the risk of mental health difficulties and stress, with reciprocal effects over time.
  • Findings highlight the need for targeted prevention policies and mental health services for families.

Keywords:
DeprivationFamily functioningMental healthStressVulnerability

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