An analysis of parents’ perceived stress and the parent-child relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives: The measures taken by governments to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have changed millions of people’s daily lives. This study analyzes parents’ perceived stress and parent–child relationship while staying home due to lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The sample for this descriptive and cross-sectional study comprised 521 parents with children aged 4–18 years. Data were collected online using a Personal Information Form, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-4), and Child Parent Relationship Scale (CPRS) between 2 and 27 April 2020 in Turkey. Findings: The mean age of the study participants was 38.98±6.578 years, and 53.2% of participants were female. The parents’ mean PSS-4 and CPRS scores were 8.45±2.37 and 53.62±11.71, respectively. Of the parents, 44.0% stated that the days spent in the “Staying Home” period strengthened their relationships with their children, and 56.4% thought that it had provided them with the opportunity to take better care of their child. Mothers’ mean CPRS conflict scores were significantly higher than those of the fathers, and a negative relationship was found between the PSS-4 and CPRS positive-relationship sub-dimensions. Conclusion: Psychosocially supporting interventions should be planned for parents, especially mothers, who hold the most responsibility concerning housework and childcare during situations affecting the life adversely.