Coping in crisis: Family processes and maternal-child psychological well-being during COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically reshaped family life, forcing parents, particularly mothers, to manage extraordinary caregiving demands under heightened stress. The present study examined how pandemic-induced changes in family processes, including difficulty accessing childcare, household disagreements, relational tensions, and family togetherness, were associated with maternal and children's pandemic-focused emotional distress during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from 76 mothers and their preschool-aged children in a longitudinal study, we leveraged prepandemic assessments to account for maternal and children's preexisting psychological vulnerabilities, including depressive symptoms, parenting stress, and children's internalizing problems. Mothers completed online questionnaires at two time points: before the pandemic and approximately 3-6 months after the initial U.S. lockdown. After controlling for prepandemic vulnerabilities, mothers who experienced fewer household disagreements and greater family togetherness during the pandemic reported lower pandemic-focused emotional distress. In turn, lower maternal pandemic-focused emotional distress and fewer childcare difficulties were associated with lower children's pandemic-focused emotional distress. These findings underscored that the pandemic's psychological toll was not simply the result of external crises but unfolded through the relational and caregiving processes that structured daily family life. By identifying modifiable family processes, this study provided insights for designing family-centered interventions that strengthen resilience during future societal disruptions. Programs that promote healthy family communication, foster collaborative problem solving, and enhance reliable access to childcare could help safeguard the psychological well-being of both caregivers and children when families face widespread upheaval. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).