Social Leisure Research Articles

Isolation, opportunity, and the ‘third place’: The experiences of Timorese seasonal workers in Australia

AbstractOrganised, temporary labour migration from the Global South to wealthier countries is a growing and sometimes problematic phenomenon. This article considers Timorese involvement in the Australian Seasonal Workers Program (SWP) in relation to this trend. Drawing primarily on semi‐structured interviews and participant observation undertaken among an interconnected group of 50 Timorese seasonal workers across Australia and Timor‐Leste between 2016 and 2021, we found that geographical and social isolation and limited leisure all proved challenges while working in Australia. In some cases, it appears that the workers were able to lean upon their own social networks and local churches as a way to mitigate these challenges. We argue that, in considering the welfare of workers in temporary migration programs such as the SWP, it is important to be aware of the role played by informal groups that are formally outside the scheme itself.

Research on the Preference of Mobile Phone Photography in Leisure Life

The way of communication and thinking are reconstructed by mobile phone photography. Due to the advancement of technology and economy, mobile phone chips have become advanced and the quality of photography has improved. In addition to the communication function, the camera function of smartphones is more valued by consumers and mobile phone manufacturers. Apps with built-in cameras, photo editing and social websites are constantly being upgraded., and mobile phone photography and social media has been combined. The influence and interaction of digital images in social leisure makes mobile phone photography play an important role in people's communication on social websites. This research mainly analyzed the preferences of mobile phone photography in leisure, and the Evaluation Grid Method (EGM) of Miryoku Engineering was applied to extract the attractive attributes of mobile phone photography. William DuMouchel continuous Kano model was applied to summarize the evaluation factors of young users on the quality of mobile phone photography. SPSS.17 statistical software was applied for reliability analysis, and IPA satisfaction was applied as the weighted factor evaluation. Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) was applied to evaluate preference factors. The purpose of this research is to analyze the preferences of mobile phone photography in leisure life through these research methods, and also to provide a reference for the future promotion of mobile phone photography.

Voice Assistant Utilization among the Disability Community for Independent Living: A Rapid Review of Recent Evidence

The rapid advancement and widespread adoption of voice assistance technology have shown promise in benefiting individuals with disabilities, offering increased social participation, independence, and leisure activities. However, barriers to their full utilization have been identified, leading to potential abandonment by users with disabilities. This rapid review is aimed at filling the gap in the literature by investigating the utilization of voice assistants among people with disabilities for independent living and community participation. A comprehensive search was conducted in academic literature databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, and gray data was sourced from public social media domains through Infegy. The analysis included 48 articles and 281 social media posts that met the inclusion criteria. Neurodiversity, disabilities affecting vision, and general disabilities were the most frequently discussed categories in both sources. The most common tasks performed using voice assistants were interface control, reminders, and environmental control, with a focus on enabling independence. Barriers to use mentioned in the literature included cognitive load during use, speech interpretation, lack of nonverbal control, and privacy concerns, while gray data reported limited functionality and speech interpretation as primary barriers. Amazon Alexa was the most discussed brand in both sources. The findings highlight the need for further research and innovation to fully harness the potential benefits of voice assistants for individuals with disabilities. By addressing the identified barriers and tailoring voice assistance technology to cater to the specific needs of different disability types, this technology can become a powerful tool for enhancing the lives of individuals with disabilities and promoting greater independence and community participation.

The association between trajectory of change in social functioning and psychological treatment outcome in university students: a growth mixture model analysis

IntroductionAttendance at university can result in social support network disruption. This can have a negative impact on the mental health of young people. Demand for mental health support continues to increase in universities, making identification of factors associated with poorer outcomes a priority. Although social functioning has a bi-directional relationship with mental health, its association with effectiveness of psychological treatments has yet to be explored.ObjectivesTo explore whether students showing different trajectories of change in social function over the course of treatment differed in eventual treatment outcome.Methods Growth mixture models were estimated on a sample of 5221 students treated in routine mental health services. Different trajectories of change in self-rated impairment in social leisure activities and close relationships (Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) items 3 and 5) during the course of treatment were identified. Associations between trajectory classes and treatment outcomes were explored through multinomial regression.Results Five trajectory classes were identified for social leisure activity impairment (Figure 1), and three classes were identified for close relationship impairment (Figure 2). For both measures the majority of students remained mildly impaired (Class 1). Other trajectories included severe impairment with limited improvement (Class 2), severe impairment with delayed improvement (Class 3), and, in social leisure activities only, rapid improvement (Class 4), and deterioration (Class 5). There was an association between trajectories of improvement in social functioning over time and positive treatment outcomes. Trajectories of worsening or stable severe impairment were associated with negative treatment outcomes.Image:Image 2:ConclusionsChanges in social functioning impairment are associated with psychological treatment outcomes in students, suggesting that these changes may be associated with treatment effectiveness or recovery experiences. Future research should look to establish whether a causal link exists to understand if additional benefit for students can be gained through integrating social support within psychological treatment.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Dragon Dance: Reintegrating a Traditional Chinese Sports Event in Physical Education Teaching

This study aimed to assess the status of using dragon dance as a tool in teaching physical education at the College of Science and Technology of Jiangxi Normal University. The output proposed a strategic plan for the integration of dragon dance into physical education. This study was be conducted in 2022/2023 academic year. The study purposively sampled two groups of respondents who are teachers and students belonging to the College of Science and Technology of the mentioned Chinese institution. The perceptions of both of the student-respondents on the integration of dragon dance in teaching physical education was assessed, with students’ information interpreted quantitatively through the gathering of the responses of the students using survey questionnaire. The teachers were interviewed about their perception pertaining to integrating the dragon dance in teaching physical education. Hence, the study utilized the descriptive-comparative correlational research design. Based on the study findings, The students perceived dragon dance to be useful at a high level in its cultural significance, usefulness for physical health and wellness, and for social entertainment and leisure. Students assessed dragon dance to be high-level useful for creative and cultural value, physical education, and for its collaborative use with technology. Female students have higher level of perception in terms of social entertainment and leisure compared to male students. There are no significant differences in the students’ assessment on the status of the use of dragon dance for teaching physical education among levels of age, sex, and year level in terms of usefulness to physical education, creative and cultural value, and collaborative use with technology. There are no significant relationships between the students’ perception on dragon dance during sports events and status of the use of dragon dance for teaching physical education. Finally, the strategic plan for the integration of dragon dance into physical education aimed to improve courses, stimulate students’ interest in dragon dance, adapt modern-day technology into dragon dance, use dragon dance to promote cultural value and significance, and to promote fitness and teamwork among students.

Effectiveness of Physical and Social Leisure Activities Program Participation on Feeling of Loneliness, Happiness and Self-Esteem among Institutionalized Elderly

Effectiveness of Physical and Social Leisure Activities Program Participation on Feeling of Loneliness, Happiness and Self-Esteem among Institutionalized Elderly

School students' burdens and resources after 2 years of COVID-19 in Austria: a qualitative study using content analysis.

The mental health of young people has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures associated with it. Mental health symptoms increased across various domains during the pandemic and subjective wellbeing decreased. This study examined the burdens and resources of Austrian school students (M = 16.63 years old) in the third year of the pandemic and compared them descriptively with the burdens and resources identified in a comparative study in 2021. A cross-sectional online survey with open-ended questions from April to May 2022 provided data that was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. A sub-sample of N = 214 was selected from the larger sample. This sub-sample is representative for the Austrian population aged 15-19 in terms of gender and migrant background. Analysis of the open-ended questions showed that concerns about the pandemic and the burdens of the measures were no longer on young people's minds at the time of the survey in 2022. On the other hand, stress at school was increasing and the opening of schools and the resumption of face-to-face teaching were challenging for respondents. While resuming social contacts and leisure activities was mentioned as a resource by many respondents, some also expressed a desire for more time off and a retreat into coping strategies such as sleeping more or avoiding problems. Our findings suggest that there is a need for low-threshold support from teachers and parents to help students catch up on missed lessons and to empathize with the mas they make the transition back to "old normal".

Utility of irritable bowel syndrome subtypes and most troublesome symptom in predicting disease impact and burden.

Little is known about the characteristics of individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) according to stool subtype or the most troublesome symptom reported by the individual, or whether these are useful in predicting the impact of IBS. We collected demographic, gastrointestinal, and psychological symptoms, healthcare usage and direct healthcare costs, impact on work and activities of daily living, and quality of life data from individuals with Rome IV-defined IBS. We recruited 752 people with Rome IV IBS. Individuals with IBS-D reported a poorer disease-specific quality of life than those with IBS-C or IBS-M (mean (SD) IBS-QOL 45.3 (23.0) for IBS-D, vs. 52.3 (19.9) for IBS-C, vs. 49.4 (22.0) for IBS-M, p = 0.005). Mean (SD) IBS-QOL scores were also lower amongst those who reported diarrhea (44.8 (22.3)) or urgency (44.6 (22.3)) as their most troublesome symptom, compared with those reporting abdominal pain (52.2 (22.9)), constipation (49.5 (21.8)), or abdominal bloating or distension (50.4 (21.3)). However, there were no differences in mean EQ-5D scores, IBS severity, levels of anxiety, depression, somatoform symptom-reporting, or gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety. Direct healthcare costs of IBS were similar across all subtypes and all most troublesome symptom groups, although some differences in work productivity and social leisure activities were detected. There appears to be limited variation in the characteristics of individuals with Rome IV IBS based on both stool subtypes and most troublesome symptom reported, suggesting that gastrointestinal symptoms alone have limited ability to predict disease impact and burden.

Accessibility of large events: an empirical study of the Expo 2020 Dubai

Event management is a growing sector in the tourism industry and one of the fastest growing industries in the world. The sector contributes significantly to global economies and provides substantial employment opportunities. Events are spaces for social interaction, education, leisure and opportunities. More recently, interest is being placed in making events accessible, yet the emerging body of research on accessibility, inclusion and diversity in events is still scarce. The objective of this paper is to contribute to understanding the accessibility of large events in an increasingly technology-dependent industry. With this purpose in mind, an evaluation of the accessibility of the Expo 2020 in Dubai has been conducted. Expos are events that showcase the latest technologies and innovation, are attended by million visitors and have hefty budgets. These factors make these events the ideal breeding ground for the implementation of advanced technologies. The study adopts a case study approach and draws on data from observation, in-depth interviews and online, qualitative questionnaires. The participants are people with disabilities (PwDs), the organizations in charge of the accessibility of the Expo and staff that worked at the event—some of whom were also PwDs. The experiences of PwDs at the event, the accessibility provision in place and the challenges and insights of accessibility experts involved are discussed, as well as the implications and recommendations for managing the accessibility of large events.

Evaluation of the Psychiatric Disorders among Amphetamine Addicts in Rehabilitation Centers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis.

People who are addicted to amphetamines have a much greater chance of developing psychosis compared to those who are not. It is essential to study the behavioral and psychological effects of amphetamines. Therefore, this research aimed to examine conditions such as depression, anxiety, mood, cognitive abilities at the workplace, and social responsibilities by using sociodemographic factors as useful tools in determining effective strategies for preventing, managing, and treating amphetamine addiction. A cross-sectional study among addicts hospitalized at two rehabilitation centers across Saudi Arabia between May and October 2023. A validated questionnaire consisting of psychiatric disorders assessment tools was distributed to healthcare professionals to start an interview with addicts to assess the abnormalities. The results were compared with healthy people (control). The assessment tools used are Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Rating Scale, Young Mania Rating Scale, and Work and Social Adjustment Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were employed. A total of 60 subjects participated in this study. The participants were divided into two groups (n = 60): group I was control (n = 25) healthy volunteers and group II was amphetamine abusers (n = 35), who were hospitalized for detoxification. The ages ranged from 18 to 60 years old with mean ages of 38.68 (±8.14) and 37.77 (±10.95) years in the control and amphetamine groups, respectively. Among the addicts, the mean severity dependence scale value was 10.46 (±1.82), which denotes high dependency on the illicit drug. The prevalence of high levels of anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder was significantly higher among addicts when they were compared to healthy people (control). The assessment of the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS) reflected a higher impairment that minimized their ability to perform the work requirements, home management, social leisure, and relationships. The addiction to amphetamines was associated with high impairment of work performance and social obligations and a negative impact on the addict's mental health. The risk of suffering anxiety, depression, and bipolar is higher than in nonaddict people. These effects are attributed to brain damage, neurotoxicity, and neuronal inflammation, particularly when these substances are abused over extended periods and at higher doses.

Factors associated with the quality of life of women undergoing radiotherapy.

To evaluate the skin characteristics and quality of life of patients with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy. Cross-sectional study conducted with 60 women. The classification scales of skin changes resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation (RTOG) and the validated versions in Portuguese of those that classified skin types (Fitzpatrick), symptoms (RISRAS) and quality of life (DLQI) were applied. in the period between December 2021 and October 2022. For data analysis, Fisher's Exact Test, Chi-Square and Asymptotic General Independence Test were used. 100% of patients had skin irritation. As the treatment progressed and the radiodermatitis appeared or worsened, there was a tendency for the intensity of signs and symptoms to increase, such as: sensitivity, discomfort or pain, itching, burning and heat, dry and wet desquamation, which may have impacted the quality of life and reflected in other aspects, such as: shopping activities or outings (p=0.0020), social activities or leisure activities (p=0.0420). Radiodermatitis is a common condition that affects women with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy, skin characteristics and quality of life of patients affected during this treatment.

The Historian of Everyday Life and Household Activities, Organizer of Science and University Education: on the 85th Anniversary of V. A. Balashov

Introduction. In 2022, the 85th anniversary of the birth and the 25th anniversary of the passing away of the Soviet and Russian historian Viktor Andreevich Balashov, who made a significant contribution to the study of everyday life of the peasantry in the pre-collective farm and collective farm periods: the conditions of their personal and social life, work and leisure, the transformation of material culture, economic factors influencing the formation of consciousness and norms of behavior. Materials and Methods. The research is based on the biographical method. The use of general scientific methods made it possible to present the studied problem as a process within the framework of a concrete historical situation, the tasks being solved, to analyze the essence and content of V. A. Balashov’s scientific, pedagogical and organizational activities. The article introduces the materials of the archives of the Ogarev Moscow State University and the Central State Archive of the Republic of Mordovia into scientific circulation. Results. The article is dedicated to the memory of Professor Mordovia State University Viktor Andreevich Balashov. The study provides biographical information about the scientist, considers the scientific, educational, methodological, administrative activities of the scientist-historian, focuses on the analysis of the main scientific works. Discussion and Conclusions. V. A. Balashov’s contribution to the history of the region is significant and has not been forgotten. V. A. Balashov devoted his whole life to science. From 1967 until the last days of his life, he worked at the Mordovian State University, went through a difficult path from a graduate of a small pedagogical college to the first vice-rector of Ogarev Mordovia State University, became an Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation. V. A. Balashov is the author of major works on the study of everyday life of the peasantry, ethno-cultural processes in the Volga and Ural regions, including the Mordovian people. His role as an organizer of science and university education is important.

The effect of “Housing First” on mobile and digital media usage by people experiencing homelessness: A program evaluation based on a randomized controlled trial in Spain

In 2014, a non-governmental organization called HOGAR SÍ initiated the Hábitat program as a pioneer attempt to implement the Housing First model in Spain. The present study is part of the evaluation of this program, which was carried out from May 2015 to February 2020 using a form of a randomized controlled trial. The treatment group was compared with a control group (people experiencing homelessness but not selected as Hábitat users), keeping track of their evolution over 18 months. Among the many dimensions that were evaluated (coverage of basic needs, life satisfaction, victimization, physical and mental health, etc.), the study analyzed social support and leisure activities involving the use of mobile media and other communication technologies—along similar lines to some previous research. The main results show that participating in the Hábitat program brought a few improvements in digital inclusion. That is the case of the higher use of mobile phones to receive calls, to connect to the Internet, or to have contact with relatives, partners, or friends. These gains seem to be significant for the increase in perception of available social support by Hábitat users, whereas these changes did not occur in the comparison group to the same extent. Additionally, participating in the program enhances satisfaction with leisure time, as well as the frequency of carrying out some activities such as shopping, watching TV, or doing a pastime or hobby. It could be concluded that the Hábitat program achieved significant improvements in areas beyond specific housing services. The positive effects regarding social support and leisure activities seem to be partly channeled through mobile phones and digital applications; nevertheless, we are aware that further research and discussion on the active role of these technologies in helping people experiencing homelessness is still necessary.

The Relationship between Work Stressors and Work Performance of Banking Employees: The Moderating Effect of Social Support and Leisure

Objective: This study aims to identify the influence of work stressors on work performance and the moderating role of social support and leisure in the influence of work stressors on work performance. Design/Methods/Approach: The study respondents were employees who work in various banks. Data was collected using a convenience sampling method by distributing questionnaires through Google Forms. The collected data were analyzed using SEM-AMOS. Findings: This study found that work stressors negatively affect work performance. Social support can be a coping used by individuals to reduce the negative impact of work stressors on work performance. The findings of this study indicate that social support significantly moderates the effect of work stressors on work performance. However, unlike expectations, leisure does not significantly moderate the effect of work stressors on work performance. Originality: Unlike other studies, this research considers the role of two coping strategies, i.e., social support and leisure, as moderators of the relationship between work stressors and work performance among bank employees. Existing studies still show inconsistent results regarding the relationship between work stressors and work performance and the moderating role of social support in the relationship between the two. Leisure is also rarely investigated as a moderator of the relationship between the two, especially in the context of employees who work in the bank. Practical/Policy implication: The findings of this study show the importance of companies and managers recognizing employee conditions that indicate a work stressor. They also need to identify what factors are a source of stress. As a form of concern for employees and their work performance, companies and managers need to consider strengthening social support and leisure, which can reduce the negative response of employees to work pressure.

Leisure Participation for Mental Health Promotion in Later Life: A Six-Year Longitudinal Study.

Engaging in leisure activities is essential for mental health in older adults. This longitudinal study (n = 1,101, mean age = 69.20 ± 6.23 years at baseline) examined the associations between leisure participation and mental health over 6 years in three waves: 2016, 2018, and 2020. Pearson's correlation analyses and generalized estimating equations were performed for data analyses. The frequency of participation in physical and social activities was significantly positively associated with happiness, life satisfaction, and self-rated health, and significantly negatively associated with depression. Passive activities were significantly positively associated with happiness, life satisfaction, and self-rated health but not with depression. The time effect had no significant association with any mental health outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of leisure activities in promoting mental health among older adults. Policy makers should encourage older adults to engage in physical and social leisure activities.

Social restrictions, leisure and well-being

A wide-ranging public debate surrounds how pandemic lockdown measures differentially impacted individuals and which precise mechanisms – whether financial-, health-, or policy-driven – predominate in determining these effects. Using a nationally representative 24-h diary survey covering the first two years of the pandemic, we explore potential mechanisms underlying changes in well-being. We exploit the variation in the stringency of the social restrictions implemented by the UK government during this period and use an event-study methodology to net out the impact of social restrictions from other pandemic effects. We find that well-being dropped by 47 % (for men) and 71 % (for women) of a standard deviation during the strictest lockdown and that it took longer to revert to pre-pandemic levels than previously estimated. This finding holds after we account for financial conditions and changes in local infection and death rates, suggesting that the time use–related changes driven by social restrictions dominate financial and health shocks in driving the overall well-being effects during the pandemic. Our detailed data on time allocation and individual preferences over the activities undertaken throughout the day suggest that the drop in well-being was primarily associated to a drastic reduction in time spent in leisure with non–household members or outside the home, a category with greater weight in the well-being of women.

Social Participation and Perceived Quality of Environment of Adults with Disabilities

Background: Social participation is a fundamental right; however, restrictions often arise due to environmental barriers, both physical and social. The ‘Handicap Innovation Territoire’ (HIT) project aims to enhance social participation for individuals with disabilities living in Brittany, France. To gain insight into the desired areas of intervention and evaluate the HIT project, an initial experiment was conducted to assess the level of social participation and perceived environmental quality among people with disabilities. Methods: A cross-sectional investigation was performed, utilizing the Assessment of Life Habits (LIFE-H) and Measure of the Quality of the Environment (MQE). Results: Twenty-five individuals with disabilities, with an average age of 46.0 ± 23.6 years, were recruited. The results indicated an overall high level of social participation, while work, education, and leisure showed participation restrictions. The MQE scores revealed variations in the environmental perception across disability groups concerning work environment (p = 0.035), stores and services (p = 0.014), health care services (p = 0.006), education (p = 0.043), access to radio and television (p = 0.002), road accessibility (p = 0.003), and time allowed for tasks (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The study identified factors that influence social participation among individuals with disabilities living in Brittany, and highlighted the actions implemented within the HIT project to address the challenges related to social participation.

Transition in the cognitive continuum from normal cognition to dementia: the interplay of lifelong cognitive reserve with brain aging and genetic predisposition

AbstractBackgroundHigher cognitive reserve (CR) has been associated with lower risks of cognitive decline and dementia. In this study, we sought to investigate associations of lifelong CR capacity with transitions of cognitive phenotypes in older adults, while accounting for age, sex, APOE genotype, and pathological load of brain aging.MethodThis population‐based Swedish National study on Aging and Care‐Kungsholmen included 2631 participants (age≥60 years, 61.4% female) free of dementia at baseline (2001‐2004); among them 517 had brain MRI. At baseline, lifelong CR capacity was assessed by integrating early‐life education, midlife occupational complexity, later‐life social network and leisure activity. The load of pathological brain aging was assessed using volumes of grey matter (GM), white matter, hippocampus, and white matter hyperintensity, and count of perivascular space and lacunes. Cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) and dementia were defined at baseline and across up to 15 years until 2016‐2019. Data were analyzed using the Markov multi‐state model.ResultDuring the mean 10.7 years of follow‐up, 9.0% had incident dementia (95%CI: 7.8%–10.3%). Among people free of CIND at baseline (n = 2023), 27.4% had incident CIND during follow‐up (25.3%–29.6%). Higher lifelong CR capacity (mean value of composite CR score = 0.2; range: ‐4.2‐3.6) was associated with a lower risk of direct transitions from non‐dementia (normal or CIND) to dementia (multivariable‐adjusted HR = 0.84; 95% CI 0.73–0.95) and from normal cognition to CIND (0.79; 0.73–0.85), but not with the direct transitions from normal cognition to dementia (0.86; 0.72–1.03), from CIND to dementia (0.93; 0.76–1.14), or from CIND to normal cognition (1.15; 0.98–1.35). Higher lifelong CR capacity was associated with a lower risk of direct transition from normal cognition to dementia in people with APOE‐ε4 and those with high GM volume (2nd‐4th quartiles), but not in those without APOE‐ε4 or with low GM volume (1st quartile) (P‐for‐interaction<0.05). There was no statistical interaction of CR with age, sex, or other brain MRI markers on cognitive transitions.ConclusionHigher lifelong CR capacity may benefit late‐life cognitive status by reducing the risk of cognitive deterioration to dementia, especially in people with genetic predisposition or with low neurodegenerative load.

Impact of digital assistive technologies on the quality of life for people with dementia: protocol for a scoping review

IntroductionDigital assistive technologies (eg, applications, wearables and robots) have emerged as promising tools for managing various aspects of daily life, such as basic assistance, encompassing social interaction, memory support, leisure...

Parental anxiety and depression are associated with adverse mental health in children with special needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to restrictions in various areas of life, including social life, work, leisure, health, and education. Vulnerable groups, such as children with special needs and their parents, may be at increased risk of experiencing exacerbated mental health problems during stressful periods such as the COVID-19 lockdowns. Telephone interviews were conducted with 954 parents of children with special needs. We assessed parental levels of generalized anxiety and depression using the validated GAD-7 and PHQ-8 scales. Parents were asked to rate family burden and their worry about the COVID-19 crisis, as well as their children's adverse mental health symptoms and health behaviors. Parents also reported their children's worries about the COVID-19 crisis. We conducted regressions to examine the relationship between parents' mental health problems and their children's adverse mental health symptoms and health behaviors. Qualitative data from open-ended questions were coded thematically and major themes of parental worry about the COVID-19 crisis were identified. Parental anxiety and depression symptoms predicted adverse mental health symptoms and behaviors in children with special needs. Criteria for current depression were met by 7.9% of parents of children with special needs, whereas 4.7% of the general population in Vorarlberg met the criteria for current depression according to data from the Austrian Health Interview Survey in 2019. Parental self-ratings of both depression and anxiety were highly correlated. The majority of parents reported being burdened (79.1%) or worried (67.8%) about the COVID-19 crisis. The main themes of parental worry about the COVID-19 crisis included COVID-19 infection (40.6%), economic situation (13.1%), uncertainty (8.4%), lack of social contact with family and friends (8.1%), family health status (7.5%), and school life (7.5%). Mental health symptoms in parents of children with special needs were strongly associated with increased adverse mental health symptoms and health behaviors in their children. Parents of children with special needs were more likely to be depressed during the COVID-19 pandemic than adults in 2019. We call for additional mental health support to reduce the mental health burden in families with children with special needs.