Attachment and meaning-making of Arabic mothers during the coronavirus pandemic

Abstract

The global impact of COVID-19 heightened existential awareness particularly among parents. This period provided a unique opportunity to implement the circle of security program, equipping parents to address parental stress, anxiety, and depression. Conducted with mothers in Saudi Arabia ranging in age from 19 to 30 years, this quasi-experimental intervention study demonstrated a notable reduction in negative emotions, coupled with enhanced parent–child relationships and a strengthened sense of purpose in parenting. A total of 70 (55%) mothers attended at least 6 of 8 sessions, the criteria for completer status. After the intervention, there was a significant improvement in mental health, as the majority of participants fell within the normal ranges for anxiety (91.4%), depression (95.7%), and stress (95.7%). Furthermore, statistical evaluations provided strong evidence of the intervention's success, demonstrating a significant reduction in mean anxiety scores from 4.44 ± 3.88 to 2.8 ± 2.01 (p = 0.08), depression scores from 6.2 ± 5.0 to 3.54 ± 2.5 (p < 0.001), and stress scores from 9.29 ± 4.45 to 4.9 ± 4.5 (p < 0.001). These findings underscore the importance of interventions supporting parents during challenging times, such as a global pandemic.