Dyadic associations between COVID-19-related stress and mental well-being among parents and children in Hong Kong: An actor-partner interdependence model approach.

Abstract

The spread of COVID‐19 and its subsequent social distancing policies have profoundly impacted the lives of parents and children. Prolonged exposure to parenting‐related responsibilities and heightened levels of family conflict under stay‐at‐home orders coupled with reduced access to support systems and resources have rendered parents and children more prone to stress and mental health difficulties. Drawing on a transactional model of parent–child interactions, the present study applied an actor–partner interdependence model approach to examine the transactional relationship between COVID‐19‐related stress and mental well‐being among parents and children. Data from 109 Chinese parent–child dyads in Hong Kong were included in the study. Parents and their 8‐ to 10‐year‐old children completed a questionnaire on COVID‐19‐related stress, parent–child relationships, and mental well‐being. The results showed that 53.2% and 30.3% of the parents and children, respectively, showed poor mental well‐being, indicating possible emotional problems. Both actor and partner effects of parent COVID‐19‐related stress were found. Parent COVID‐19‐related stress was indirectly related to lower levels of parent and child mental well‐being, through the mediation of parent–child conflict. To facilitate psychological adjustment following the COVID‐19 outbreak, effective family‐based mental health and parenting interventions are needed to promote family cohesion and alleviate stress‐induced psychological symptoms. Even in the time of social distancing, telepsychotherapy and other online non‐psychotherapeutic interventions can serve as a valid alternative for parents and children who experience excessive distress. Implications for psychological services, family‐friendly policies, and social protection measures are also discussed.