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COVID-19 Pandemic and Changes in Children's Behavioral Problems: The Mediating Role of Maternal Depressive Symptoms

Stacey N Doan1,2, Anna Beth Burniston1, Patricia Smiley3

  • 1Department of Psychological Science, Claremont McKenna College, Claremont, CA 91711, USA.

Children (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic increased maternal depression and children's behavioral issues. Maternal mental health significantly influenced children's problems, highlighting the family context during the pandemic.

Area of Science:

  • Child Psychology
  • Maternal Mental Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic is associated with adverse child behavioral outcomes.
  • Longitudinal data on child behavior pre- and post-pandemic is scarce.
  • The family context, particularly maternal well-being, is understudied in relation to pandemic effects on children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate changes in maternal depressive symptoms and children's behavioral problems from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.
  • To examine the mediating role of maternal mental health in the relationship between pandemic stressors and child behavioral issues.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study design comparing pre-pandemic data with early pandemic data.
  • Assessment of maternal depressive symptoms and children's behavioral problems.
  • Statistical analysis to examine changes and mediation effects.

Main Results:

  • A significant increase in children's internalizing problems was observed.
  • Maternal depressive symptoms also significantly increased during the pandemic.
  • Maternal mental health status mediated the link between COVID-19 stressors and children's behavioral problems.

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted both maternal mental health and child behavior.
  • Maternal well-being is a critical factor influencing children's adjustment during crises.
  • Findings support stress proliferation models, emphasizing the interconnectedness of family mental health.

Keywords:
COVID-19 mental healthdepressive symptomsexternalizing behaviorsfamily systemsinternalizing behaviorsstress proliferation

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