Short-term impacts of COVID-19 on family caregivers: Emotion regulation, coping, and mental health. J Clin Psychol 2022 Feb;78(2):357-374
Date
08/01/2021Pubmed ID
34331773Pubmed Central ID
PMC8427037DOI
10.1002/jclp.23228Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85111647783 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 25 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: The negative mental health impact of coronavirus disease 2019-related stressors may be heightened for those caring for children, who bear responsibity for their welfare during disasters.
AIM: Based on the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, we inquired whether caregivers' emotion regulation and coping behavior were associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).
MATERIALS & METHODS: Data were collected through a national online survey in April 2020, and again 60 days later.
RESULTS: Of the 801 longitudinal cases, 176 (63.6% female; mean age = 33.5) reported caring for minors in their homes during the pandemic. Over 20% of caregivers experienced clinically concerning PTSS, rates higher than their noncaregiving counterparts. Regression analysis indicates caregivers' baseline mental health symptoms and emotion regulation predicted PTSS 60 days later.
DISCUSSION: Implications for needed parenting supports among families experiencing traumatic stress are provided.
CONCLUSION: Anxiety symptoms at baseline were the most significant and consistent contributor to all models and were significantly higher among those with clinically concerning levels of PTSS suggesting a clear intervention target.
Author List
Russell BS, Hutchison M, Park CL, Fendrich M, Finkelstein-Fox LAuthor
Michael Fendrich PhD Professor in the Emergency Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Adaptation, PsychologicalAdult
Caregivers
Child
Female
Humans
Male
Mental Health
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
