Peer-reviewed article
Child Externalizing and Internalizing Behavior and Parental Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Jill Portnoy, AnaCristina Bedoya, Keri Ka-Yee Wong ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-sonnet-5-5This study surveyed 175 parents living with at least one child under 18 in 66 countries during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents reported on their children's externalizing and internalizing behavior at the first survey. Six months later they reported their own stress, depression and conflict with their partner. Children's externalizing behavior (such as acting out) predicted higher parental stress later. Internalizing behavior did not predict parental stress or depression, and neither type of behavior predicted relationship conflict.
Key points
- Data came from online surveys of adults in 66 countries, collected in two waves six months apart.
- The analysis included 175 parents living with at least one child under 18 at Wave I.
- Child externalizing behavior at Wave I significantly predicted higher parental stress at Wave II, controlling for covariates.
- Child internalizing behavior at Wave I did not predict parental stress or depression.
- Neither externalizing nor internalizing behavior predicted parental relationship conflict.
Limitations
The sample is small (175 parents) and the data are self-reported by parents through online surveys, so children's behavior was not assessed directly. The abstract does not name the specific countries or the covariates, and it cannot show cause and effect.
Abstract
In this study we surveyed families’ experiences with parental depression, stress, relationship conflict, and child behavioral issues during six months of the COVID-19 pandemic through the COVID-19: Global Social Trust and Mental Health Study. The current analyses used data collected from online surveys completed by adults in 66 countries from 17 April 2020–13 July 2020 (Wave I), followed by surveys six months later at Wave II (17 October 2020–31 January 2021). Analyses were limited to 175 adult parents who reported living with at least one child under 18 years old at Wave I. Parents reported on children’s level of externalizing and internalizing behavior at Wave I. At Wave II, parents completed self-reported measures of stress, depression, and inter-partner conflict. Child externalizing behavior at Wave I significantly predicted higher levels of parental stress at Wave II, controlling for covariates. Child internalizing behavior at Wave I did not predict parental stress or depression, controlling for covariates. Neither child externalizing nor internalizing behavior predicted parental relationship conflict. The overall findings demonstrate that child behavior likely influenced parental stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings suggest that mental health interventions for children and parents may improve the family system during times of disaster.