PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND PARENTAL STRESS DURING THE OUTBREAK OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

The parent-child relationship has always been affected by various circumstances. Parent-child relations may have been influenced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of COVID-19 on parents had increased parenting stress and has affected parents' relationships with their children. The present study assesses parental stress and parent-child relationship during an outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study was an online cross-sectional survey carried out among 503 parents. The socio-demographic datasheet, Parental Stress Scale (PSS), and Child Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS) were converted into Google Forms and distributed via email, WhatsApp, LinkedIn, etc. as well as social media platforms. Majority (66.2%) of the parents reported moderate parental stress. Closeness was found to be high in the parent-child relationship during the lockdown period. Parental stress showed a significant positive correlation with the conflict domain of CPRS (r=.525, p<0.001) whereas a significant negative correlation with the closeness domain of CPRS (r= -.294, p<0.001), age (r= -.188, p<0.001), and year of marriage (r= -.122, p<0.01). The parental-child relationship domain of conflict (B=.687, t=18.707, p<0.001) and closeness (B=-.661, t=-14.094, p<0.001) contributed significantly to the prediction of parental stress [F (5,502) = 235.550, p<0.001] accounting for 49.5% of the variance. COVID-19 has affected parental stress and the parent-child relationship, especially during the lockdown. Psychosocial care programmes and interventions should be planned for parents to uphold stress and the parent-child relationship during crises. Positive parenting and the self-care of parents would serve as promotional and preventative measures. Supporting parents and mitigating the impact of COVID-19 is important.