Pandemic-Related Stress Symptoms Among Norwegian Parents of Adolescents in Grades 6 to 8.

Thormod Idsoe,Harald Janson,Ane Nærde,Atle Dyregrov

doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2021.701782

Abstract

We investigated pandemic-related stress symptoms during the first COVID-19 lockdown period in spring 2020 among parents of adolescents that were 11 to 13 years old in the study period. We also investigated whether parental stress symptoms were associated with family situation and family activities during lockdown. Altogether 147 couples reported about their own trauma-related stress symptoms following the outbreak of the pandemic. Among the respondents, 9.5% of the mothers and 10.2% of the fathers had scores over cutoff on the screener (IES-6) measuring stress symptoms, a non-significant gender difference. Scores on the screener were not associated with family contamination or lockdown consequences. Family activities during lockdown did not impact the pandemic stress symptom levels. Whereas, the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic pose a stressor to most people, it is unlikely to be a criterion A event for other than directly affected families.

Highlights

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may lead to stress symptoms in the same way as previous viral outbreaks [1]
The findings revealed that 20% reported significant posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms
Descriptive information about family situation and family activities are shown in Tables 1A,B, 2

Summary

Introduction

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may lead to stress symptoms in the same way as previous viral outbreaks [1] It is well-known that stress symptoms can have serious consequences for mental health and normal functioning. The occurrence of such symptoms related to the COVID19 outbreak should be investigated to identify potential needs for intervention. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declared the COVID-19 as a pandemic on March 11, 2020 [3] This triggered a series of national actions taken in many countries to prevent the spread of the virus, including social and physical distancing, hygiene measures (handwash, face masks etc.), closure of day-care centers, schools and universities, and encouragement to work from home when possible [4, 5].

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