The longitudinal psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on caregivers with young children

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the longitudinal psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on caregivers of young children in communities of color.

Background

COVID-19 has disproportionately affected people of color, with adverse impacts on family functioning and well-being. However, few studies have examined the longer-term psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of caregivers of young children. As of the 2020 Census, Miami-Dade County was home to almost 130,000 young children ages 0–5, has a minority-majority population, and was an epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

Data from the COVID Risk and Resilience Survey collected over a 2-year period were used to conduct a path analysis predicting caregiver depression and anxiety in 2022 from caregiver stress and child behavioral problems in March 2020 and caregiver self-efficacy and use of coping skills in June 2020. The final model included 325 participants.

Results

The results suggest that caregiver experiences of stress and behavioral concerns for their children in the early COVID-19 pandemic affected their mental health after 2 years, but caregiver use of effective coping strategies helped reduce their later anxiety and depression symptoms.

Conclusion

COVID-19 had significant psychological impacts on caregivers of young children.

Implications

Understanding the impact of the pandemic on families can help community organizations and schools develop policies to better meet the longer-term needs of families with young children during pandemics and other widespread stressful events.