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Understanding Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 on Puerto Rican Youth: Influence of Parental Stress

Author

Listed:
  • Gabriela M. Martínez-Seda

    (PhD Program in Clinical Psychology, San Juan Campus, Albizu University, San Juan, PR 00901, USA)

  • María C. Vélez-Pastrana

    (PhD Program in Clinical Psychology, San Juan Campus, Albizu University, San Juan, PR 00901, USA)

  • Andel Nicasio-Infante

    (PhD Program in Clinical Psychology, San Juan Campus, Albizu University, San Juan, PR 00901, USA)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted all areas of society. The socioemotional effects of isolation, financial instability, and educational and employment uncertainty are anticipated to have a ripple effect on the mental health of parents and children, which has not yet been studied in the Puerto Rican context. To examine the impact of COVID-19 on Puerto Rican families, we used a cross-sectional, correlational research design that studied the following: (a) Adverse experiences (AE) related to the COVID-19 pandemic reported by parents; (b) Parental stress; (c) Parental psychopathology: (d) The mental health of their children. We hypothesized that AEs have direct and indirect effects on child mental health, which are mediated by parental mental health and stress. One hundred and thirty-five parents with children aged 4 to 18 years completed an anonymous online survey from March to May 2022. Results show that COVID-19 AEs have significant direct and indirect effects on child mental health, which are mediated by parental stress and parental psychopathology. We observed medium-to-large effect sizes in the associations between child mental health and COVID-19 AEs, which are mediated by parental stress and psychopathology. Children’s mental health symptoms worsen as parental stress and parental psychopathology increase in the context of COVID-19 AEs.

Suggested Citation

  • Gabriela M. Martínez-Seda & María C. Vélez-Pastrana & Andel Nicasio-Infante, 2024. "Understanding Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 on Puerto Rican Youth: Influence of Parental Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(12), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:12:p:1564-:d:1529777
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ezra Golberstein & Gilbert Gonzales & Ellen Meara, 2019. "How do economic downturns affect the mental health of children? Evidence from the National Health Interview Survey," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(8), pages 955-970, August.
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