Frontline health care workers as parents: The pandemic's effect on family relationships

The COVID-19 pandemic created significant psychological and relational challenges for frontline health care workers (FHCWs), particularly those with parenting responsibilities. Disruptions such as increased workload, quarantine, and reduced childcare support strained family functioning.

To examine the relationships among COVID-19 exposure and impact, parental depressive symptoms, and family relationships in FHCW parents, and to test whether depression mediates these associations.

This cross-sectional study used data from 71 FHCW parents participating in the COVID-19 Caring about Health for All study. Participants completed validated measures including the COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Scales (CEFIS), PROMIS Family Relationships Short Form, and CES-D-10 for depressive symptoms. Correlation and regression analyses assessed associations and mediation effects while controlling for demographic variables.

Greater COVID-19 exposure and impact were associated with poorer family relationships. COVID-19 impact was significantly related to higher depressive symptoms, and depression was negatively associated with family relationship quality. Regression analyses indicated that depressive symptoms mediated the relationship between COVID-19 impact and family relationships, reducing the direct effect of pandemic-related stressors.

COVID-19-related stress adversely affected family relationships among FHCW parents, with depressive symptoms playing a key mediating role. Targeted interventions addressing mental health may help mitigate family strain and support workforce well-being during public health crises.