Parental Stress Provoked by Short-Term School Closures During the Second COVID-19 Lockdown.

Isabelle May,Albert Ziegler,Sarah Awad,Matthias S May

doi:10.1177/0192513x211041987

Isabelle May, Albert Ziegler + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513x211041987

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Journal: Journal of Family Issues	Publication Date: Oct 12, 2021
Citations: 9	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

Abstract

Governments of numerous countries implemented school closures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. Several investigations have shown the negative impact of social-distancing policies and school closures on children worldwide. Recently, research also demonstrated adverse effects on adults' well-being. The development of children is strongly affected by their parent's emotional state. The present study aimed to examine parental stress levels caused by a short period of homeschooling in December 2020 in Germany. A structured survey was set up and distributed randomly via social media and parent associations. We observed a significant increase in stress and concerns. Family conflicts significantly increased, social isolation was feared, and powerlessness and helplessness ascended. Risk factors were parental education levels, parental working time, and teaching features like the frequency of feedback, correction, and accessibility.

Highlights

Three billion people have been affected by containment policies due to the COVID-19 pandemic since the beginning of 2020
About school closings and distance teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic, we have developed the following parenting– distance learning–stress model based on Abidin’s modified parenting stress model (Figure 1)
Parental stress caused by short-term school closures increased

Summary

Introduction

Three billion people have been affected by containment policies due to the COVID-19 pandemic since the beginning of 2020. These measures have significantly reduced infection rates and have saved millions of lives (Hsiang et al, 2020). The extent of the social consequences caused by these policies, such as school closures and exit restrictions, on the human psyche is not yet clear. Studies showed an overall reduced mental well-being among the general population in Germany already in May 2020. Several studies on effects on children have demonstrated substantial negative consequences on their psychological well-being (Fegert, Vitiello, Plener, & Clemens, 2020; Haas, 2020; Ravens-Sieberer et al, 2020)

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