Parents’ Evaluation of Changes in Parents’ and Children’ Physical and Psychological Health Status in COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Introduction: People’s social activities were restricted by COVID-19 pandemic measures such as blocking access to cities, suspending schools. For normal psychological development and well-being of children, social interaction is an essential component. COVID-19 crisis has affected the psychological well-being of both parents and children through parental job loss, income loss, caregiving burden and terror of infection. 
 Materials & Methods: This research was done in the 2020-2021 academic year. Snowball sampling method is used, and 100 participants were reached during a 4-week time interval after ethical approval. Survey was created as an online form and its link was distributed via social media platforms. Survey composed of demographic questions and topic related questions about COVID-19 to both parents and children. Questionnaire was designed for parents to fill out. For data analysis, Chi-Square test was used.
 Results: The mean age of participants was 40.36 ± 6.463 and mean age of participants’ children was 11.69 ± 3.390. 93% of participants indicated that internet usage of their child increased during the pandemic. 91.9% of the parents stated that they have fears/concerns about the coronavirus becoming pandemic in the world. 52% of the parents stated that their child gained weight during the pandemic process. Significant association was found between the child's weight gain and the increase in the child's fears/worries (p= .006). A significant relationship was found between the presence of COVID-19 cases in or around the family and the increase in the fears/worries of the children (p= .024). 
 Conclusion: According to parents’ perspective, 93% of participants’ child internet usage increased during pandemic. 73% of the parents reported that there has been an increase in the fears/ worries of children. On the other hand, 96% of the participants have stated that they have concerns of being negatively affected economically due to coronavirus pandemic. Significant relationship between fears/worries of parents’ and children was not found. In our study, there has been a significant relationship between fears/worries of children and their weight status. Parents of children who stated an increase in the worries of their child also stated that their children gained weight. Also, significant relationship was found between the presence of COVID-19 cases in or around the family and the increase in the fears/worries of the children.