COVID-19 Stress in Relation to Parent Emotional Intelligence and Child Mental Health among a Canadian Sample

Abstract

Due to the unprecedented nature of COVID-19, more studies are needed to examine how parents and children are impacted by the pandemic, and more specifically the role of parental Emotional Intelligence (EI) in the link between COVID-19 stressors and child mental health outcomes. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationships between COVID-19 stressors, parental EI, and child anxiety and depression outcomes. Fifty parents (mean age = 41.98 years; 88% mothers) of children between the ages of 8-11 years old (mean age = 9.46 years; 74% boys) completed online questionnaires assessing COVID-19 stress, parental EI, and child anxiety and depression symptoms. Although no significant results were found between parent COVID-19 stress, parent EI, and child depression symptoms, the results suggest that parental COVID-19 stress was related to child anxiety. Exploratory analyses were conducted examining specific domains of COVID-19 stress, parental EI, and child anxiety and depression symptoms. Findings indicate the resilience of child mood and parental EI to COVID-19 stress among this sample, as well as child anxiety being a potential area of risk during the pandemic. Knowledge of these associations gives insight into areas to prioritize for mental health clinicians in assessment and intervention.
 
 Public significance statement: There is a need for more research on parent and child psychological outcomes during COVID-19. This study suggests an association specifically between parental COVID-19 stress and child anxiety, and not with child depressive symptoms. Findings help with better understanding the experiences of families during COVID-19.