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Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Mental Health in Canada: Findings from a Multi-Round Cross-Sectional Study

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  • Kimberly C. Thomson

    (Human Early Learning Partnership, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
    Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Providence Health Care Research Institute, British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada)

  • Emily Jenkins

    (School of Nursing, Faculty of Applied Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada)

  • Randip Gill

    (Human Early Learning Partnership, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada)

  • Chris G. Richardson

    (Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Providence Health Care Research Institute, British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada
    School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada)

  • Monique Gagné Petteni

    (Human Early Learning Partnership, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
    Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Providence Health Care Research Institute, British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada)

  • Corey McAuliffe

    (School of Nursing, Faculty of Applied Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada)

  • Anne M. Gadermann

    (Human Early Learning Partnership, School of Population and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
    Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, Providence Health Care Research Institute, British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1Y6, Canada)

Abstract

Pandemic-related disruptions, including school, child care, and workplace closures, financial stressors, and relationship challenges, present unique risks to families’ mental health. We examined the mental health impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic among parents with children <18 years old living at home over three study rounds in May 2020 ( n = 618), September 2020 ( n = 804), and January 2021 ( n = 602). Data were collected using a cross-sectional online survey of adults living in Canada, nationally representative by age, gender, household income, and region. Chi-square tests and logistic regression compared outcomes between parents and the rest of the sample, among parent subgroups, and over time. Parents reported worsened mental health compared with before the pandemic, as well as not coping well, increased alcohol use, increased suicidal thoughts/feelings, worsened mental health among their children, and increases in both negative and positive parent–child interactions. Mental health challenges were more frequently reported among parents with pre-existing mental health conditions, disabilities, and financial/relationship stressors. Increased alcohol use was more frequently reported among younger parents and men. Sustained mental health challenges of parents throughout nearly a year of the pandemic suggest that intervention efforts to support family mental health may not be adequately meeting families’ needs. Addressing family stressors through financial benefit programs and virtual mental health supports should be further explored.

Suggested Citation

  • Kimberly C. Thomson & Emily Jenkins & Randip Gill & Chris G. Richardson & Monique Gagné Petteni & Corey McAuliffe & Anne M. Gadermann, 2021. "Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Mental Health in Canada: Findings from a Multi-Round Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(22), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:22:p:12080-:d:681267
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katriona O’Sullivan & Serena Clark & Amy McGrane & Nicole Rock & Lydia Burke & Neasa Boyle & Natasha Joksimovic & Kevin Marshall, 2021. "A Qualitative Study of Child and Adolescent Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ireland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-15, January.
    2. Izu Nwachukwu & Nnamdi Nkire & Reham Shalaby & Marianne Hrabok & Wesley Vuong & April Gusnowski & Shireen Surood & Liana Urichuk & Andrew J. Greenshaw & Vincent I.O. Agyapong, 2020. "COVID-19 Pandemic: Age-Related Differences in Measures of Stress, Anxiety and Depression in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-10, September.
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    2. Daniella Spencer-Laitt & Elizabeth H. Eustis & David H. Barlow & Todd J. Farchione, 2022. "The Impact of COVID-19 Related Social Distancing on Mental Health Outcomes: A Transdiagnostic Account," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Juliette Faucher & Nagham Khanafer & Nicolas Chauliac & Aziz Essadek & Perrine Galia & Elise Mamimoue & Marie-Laure Leroux & Marie-Pierre Pollet & Françoise Imler-Weber & Yves Gillet & Pierre Fournere, 2023. "Factors Associated with Increased or Decreased Stress Level in French Children during the First COVID-19 Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-17, March.
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    5. Daniel T. L. Shek & Janet T. Y. Leung & Lindan Tan, 2023. "Social Policies and Theories on Quality of Life under COVID-19: In Search of the Missing Links," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 18(3), pages 1149-1165, June.

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