Parents’ COVID-19 stressors and associations with self-rated health, symptoms of mental health problems, and substance use: a cross-sectional study

The aim of this study was to understand associations between pandemic stressors and parents’ self-rated physical and mental health; symptoms of mental health problems, and at-risk substance use problems. Data were collected from February 2022 to March 2022 as part of Wave 2 of the Well-being and Exp...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Janique Fortier, Samantha Salmon, Tamara Taillieu, Ashley Stewart-Tufescu, Harriet L. MacMillan, Lil Tonmyr, Andrea Gonzalez, Melissa Kimber, Leslie Roos, Jitender Sareen, Tracie O. Afifi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:FACETS
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Online Access:https://facetsjournal.com/doi/10.1139/facets-2023-0161
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Summary:The aim of this study was to understand associations between pandemic stressors and parents’ self-rated physical and mental health; symptoms of mental health problems, and at-risk substance use problems. Data were collected from February 2022 to March 2022 as part of Wave 2 of the Well-being and Experiences Study in Manitoba, Canada (n = 749). Stressors frequently identified since the onset of the pandemic included inability to spend time with family and friends, worry about getting coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), and travel restrictions. In the past month, the most frequently identified stressors were worry about getting COVID-19, travel restrictions, public health restrictions, and worry about the future. The stressors with the greatest number of associations with worse health outcomes included: job loss or financial burden; feeling lonely or isolated; disrupted or poor sleep; uncertainty about the future; accessing health care for any reason; increased conflict in relationships; cancellation of surgeries, caregiving for children; and inability to spend time with family. Understanding the COVID-19 stressors that were associated with health and substance problems can inform clinical approaches to respond to pandemic-related problems, as well as public health preparedness to mitigate declines in parents’ health and well-being in the context of future pandemics.
ISSN:2371-1671