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Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Experimental Paradigm for Measuring the Effects of Self-distancing in Young Children
Published on: March 1, 2019
Family functioning and child internalizing and externalizing problems: A 16-wave longitudinal study during the
Hyanghee Lee1, Gregory M Fosco2,3, Mark E Feinberg2
1Department of Educational Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA.
Abstract:
This study explored young children's mental health trajectories during the pandemic (May 2020 to April 2021) as well as associations with family functioning (i.e., cohesion, conflict, chaos, and routines) using data reported by 204 parents (children Mage 5.49; 45% girls, 90% White). Children's internalizing problems decreased early on with the onset of the pandemic, but then leveled off, while no change in externalizing problems was found. Family conflict and chaos were significantly associated with internalizing and externalizing problems at the within- and between-family level, when examined independently. When family-level factors were evaluated simultaneously, family conflict emerged as a robust risk factor. Intervention efforts, specifically for families experiencing increased conflict, may help support the mental health needs of children.
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