Abstract
Objectives: The measures taken by governments to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have changed millions of people’s daily lives. This study analyzes parents’ perceived stress and parent–child relationship while staying home due to lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The sample for this descriptive and cross-sectional study comprised 521 parents with children aged 4–18 years. Data were collected online using a Personal Information Form, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4), and Child Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS) between 2 and 27 April 2020 in Turkey. Findings: The mean age of the study participants was 38.98±6.578 years, and 53.2% of participants were female. The parents’ mean PSS-4 and CPRS scores were 8.45±2.37 and 53.62±11.71, respectively. Of the parents, 44.0% stated that the days spent in the “Staying Home” period strengthened their relationships with their children, and 56.4% thought that it had provided them with the opportunity to take better care of their child. Mothers’ mean CPRS conflict scores were significantly higher than those of the fathers, and a negative relationship was found between the PSS-4 and CPRS positive-relationship sub-dimensions. Conclusion: Psychosocially supporting interventions should be planned for parents, especially mothers, who hold the most responsibility concerning housework and childcare during situations affecting the life adversely. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.20(5) 2021 p.97-107
Highlights
Since the beginning of humanity, exceptional situations such as natural disasters or pandemics have affected societies
Variable Sex Female Male Age 24–30 31–40 41–50 51-60 Educational Status Primary Education High School University Master’s Degree Marital status Married Single Occupation Unemployed Freelancer Private sector Retired Worker, driver, iron Healthcare professionals Officer Sergeant, police Status of employment Currently working Unemployed I do not work due to COVID-19 I work on certain days because of COVID-19 Number of children between the ages of 4-18 1 2 3 and above Ages of the children* 4–6 years old 7–13 years old 14–18 years old Characteristics of the children * Calm Harmonious Docile Active Moody Restless Other Presence of child disease Yes ** No Total
66.0% stated that they provided their children with complete information concerning coronavirus at a level they could understand; 44.0% stated that the quarantine (“Stay Home”) process allowed them to build a closer relationship with their child, 56.4% had greater opportunity to take care of their children and 59.5% stated that this process made the children gain positive behaviors, such as hand washing and personal hygiene
Summary
Since the beginning of humanity, exceptional situations such as natural disasters or pandemics have affected societies. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spreading globally is clearly an exceptional situation. The measures taken by governments to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have changed millions of people’s daily lives. During this process, workplaces, educational environments, and public activities have been closed or restricted, and physical distance measures have been implemented. The “social isolation” or “stay home” restrictions have been effective in preventing the spread of the virus, they have negative economic, social, and health-related effects.[1,2] The literature reports mental problems related to quarantine restrictions implemented during such pandemics, such as anxiety, depression symptoms, impaired sleep quality,[3]
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