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Pampati S, Verlenden JV, Cree RA, Hertz M, Bitsko RH, Spencer P, Moore S, Michael SL, Dittus PJ. Children's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a population-based cohort study in the United States. Ann Epidemiol 2023; 88:7-14. [PMID: 37858782 PMCID: PMC10843774 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2023.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Examine children's mental health symptoms, including changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS The COVID Experiences Surveys, designed to be representative of the U.S. household population, were administered online to parents of children aged 5-12 years (wave 1 (W1), October-November 2020, n = 1561; wave 2 (W2), March-May 2021, n = 1287). We modeled changes in children's symptoms of anxiety, depression, and psychological stress and examined associations between demographic characteristics, COVID-19 related experiences, and protective factors with symptoms across both waves using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS Based on parent-report, children's symptoms of anxiety and depression decreased from W1 to W2 (Δ t-score anxiety = -1.8 [95% confidence intervals (CI): -2.5, -1.0]; Δ t-score depression = -1.0 [CI: -1.7, -0.3]). Psychological stress remained consistent. Across waves, older children and children with an emotional, mental, developmental, behavioral, physical, or medical condition were more likely to have specific poor mental health symptoms. Poor mental health symptoms were more likely among children with several contextual stressors (e.g., economic stress, parental emotional strain) and less likely among children with protective factors (e.g., daily routines, neighborhood cohesion). CONCLUSIONS Establishing programs that support mental health, improving access to mental health services, and fostering collaborations to advance children's mental health is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjana Pampati
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health, Atlanta, GA.
| | - Jorge V Verlenden
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health, Atlanta, GA
| | - Robyn A Cree
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Human Development and Disability, Atlanta, GA
| | - Marci Hertz
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health, Atlanta, GA
| | - Rebecca H Bitsko
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Division of Human Development and Disability, Atlanta, GA
| | - Patricia Spencer
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health, Atlanta, GA; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN
| | - Shamia Moore
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health, Atlanta, GA; Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN
| | - Shannon L Michael
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Population Health, Atlanta, GA
| | - Patricia J Dittus
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Division of Adolescent and School Health, Atlanta, GA
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Reich SM, Dahlin M, Tulagan N, Kerlow M, Cabrera N, Piroutek MJ, Heyming T. Caregivers' Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Children's Behavior. JOURNAL OF FAMILY ISSUES 2023; 44:1093-1112. [PMID: 36941899 PMCID: PMC10009501 DOI: 10.1177/0192513x211055511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has financial and emotional impacts on families. We explored how caregivers' financial strain and mental health are associated with changes in their young children's behavior during the pandemic. We additionally considered whether having a sense of purpose moderated these associations. Caregivers (n = 300) in the emergency department of a children's hospital were surveyed anonymously about changes to their employment (e.g., reduced/increased hours and job loss), ability to pay for expenses and whether their child's behavior had changed. Aligned with the Family Stress Model, caregivers' financial strain was associated with poor mental health, inconsistent sleep routines, and changes in children's problematic and prosocial behaviors. A sense of purpose buffered some of these relationships. Families are differently affected by the pandemic and our findings underscore the need for supporting caregivers' mental health and connecting them with resources.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melissa Dahlin
- UCI School of Education, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Nestor Tulagan
- UCI School of Education, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Theodore Heyming
- CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Orange, CA, USA
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
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Topothai T, Suphanchaimat R, Topothai C, Tangcharoensathien V, Cetthakrikul N, Waleewong O. Thailand Achievement of SDG Indicator 4.2.1 on Early Child Development: An Analysis of the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137599. [PMID: 35805256 PMCID: PMC9265658 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The early years of a child’s life are the foundation for their future capability development. Poor health, hunger, poverty, low parental education, lack of parental interaction, high screen time, and poor housing environment hamper their development. There is little evidence of a link between early child development (ECD) and sociodemographic factors in Thailand. In response to monitoring the achievement of SDG target 4.2.1 (the proportion of young children who are developmentally on track in health, learning and psychosocial well-being) as required by all UN Member States, this study analyses the prevalence of appropriate levels of ECD and its correlates of Thai children aged 3 to 4 years. A cross-sectional study of the 6th Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) data in 2019 conducted by the National Statistical Office was employed. Face-to-face interviews with mothers and/or legal guardians were conducted. A total of 5787 children aged 3 to 4 were enrolled in this study. The majority of participants, approximately 92.3%, had achieved an appropriate level of ECD index, defined as children who were developmentally on track in at least three out of these four domains: cognitive, physical, social, and learning. Multivariate logistic regression showed that girls had a higher appropriate development index than boys (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 1.56, 95% Confidence Interval [95% CI] 1.28–1.90; children living in the 5th wealth quintile had a higher appropriate index than those in a less well-off family the first wealth quintile (AOR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.86–4.58. Univariate logistic regression showed children living with parents achieving post-secondary education had a significantly greater appropriate index than children living with parents completing secondary education or below (Crude OR = 1.95, 95% CI 1.47–2.58); children who had appropriate parental interactions of more than four out of six interactions, had a significantly higher chance of having an appropriate index than less than four interactions (Crude OR = 1.52, 95% CI 1.14–2.04). Multi-sectoral policies to support child development in low socio-economic households should be strengthened. In addition, family and community should promote parental interactions through reading and playing with young children. Future studies which directly measure ECD in conjunction with regular monitoring through MICS are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thitikorn Topothai
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (R.S.); (C.T.); (V.T.); (N.C.); (O.W.)
- Division of Physical Activity and Health, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +66-2590-2366
| | - Rapeepong Suphanchaimat
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (R.S.); (C.T.); (V.T.); (N.C.); (O.W.)
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
| | - Chompoonut Topothai
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (R.S.); (C.T.); (V.T.); (N.C.); (O.W.)
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
- Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
| | - Viroj Tangcharoensathien
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (R.S.); (C.T.); (V.T.); (N.C.); (O.W.)
| | - Nisachol Cetthakrikul
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (R.S.); (C.T.); (V.T.); (N.C.); (O.W.)
| | - Orratai Waleewong
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (R.S.); (C.T.); (V.T.); (N.C.); (O.W.)
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Singletary B, Justice L, Baker SC, Lin TJ, Purtell KM, Schmeer KK. Parent Time Investments in their Children's Learning during a Policy-Mandated Shutdown: Parent, Child, and Household Influences. EARLY CHILDHOOD RESEARCH QUARTERLY 2022; 60:250-261. [PMID: 35874171 PMCID: PMC9302861 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecresq.2021.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
State-level policies in Ohio during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. involved physical school closures and work-from-home requirements when possible. Presumably, these policies and resulting impacts on homes with children would alter parent time investments in their children with respect to home-learning activities. In this study, we assessed parent time investments specific to home-learning activities with their children, and key predictors of these investments. Using data from a comprehensive survey completed by 559 caregivers of children (aged birth to 9 years) during a state-mandated stay-at-home order and widespread school closure, we assessed whether parent time investments in children's learning were associated with: (1) parents' mental health and social connectedness, (2) children's level of emotional distress, and (3) household characteristics including chaos, social needs, and structure. Results indicate significant negative associations between each of parent loneliness, children's emotional distress, and household chaos with parent time investments in children's learning, controlling for parents' socio-demographic and economic status. This suggests that parent time investments during the early stages of the pandemic were limited by a number of factors outside of socioeconomic resources. Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects of home environments, including parent time investments in children's learning, on child development during this unprecedented time in world history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britt Singletary
- Crane Center for Early Childhood Research & Policy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Laura Justice
- Crane Center for Early Childhood Research & Policy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Sugene C. Baker
- Crane Center for Early Childhood Research & Policy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Tzu-Jung Lin
- Crane Center for Early Childhood Research & Policy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Department of Educational Studies, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Kelly M. Purtell
- Crane Center for Early Childhood Research & Policy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
| | - Kammi K. Schmeer
- Department of Sociology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
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Topothai T, Suphanchaimat R, Topothai C, Tangcharoensathien V, Cetthakrikul N, Waleewong O. Self-Reported Parental Interactions through Play with Young Children in Thailand: An Analysis of the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19063418. [PMID: 35329102 PMCID: PMC8954988 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19063418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Parental interactions through play contributes significantly to child development of cognitive and executive functioning skills. In Thailand, there is little evidence of factors contributing to parental–child interactions. In response to SDG target 4.2.3 monitoring (the percentage of children under 5 years experiencing positive and stimulating home learning environments), this study aimed to assess the prevalence and profile of parental interactions with their children under the age of five. We analysed data from the 6th Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) conducted by the National Statistical Office in 2019. Face-to-face interviews with mothers and/or legal guardians were conducted. A total of 8856 children under the age of five were enrolled in this survey. Most participants, 90.3%, had engaged in at least four out of six activities with their children. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that children raised by parents with secondary or post-secondary educations had a significantly greater chance to have parental interactions than children raised by parents who completed primary education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.66, and AOR = 2.34 for secondary and post-secondary education). Children who possessed three or more children’s books and had experience of toy play had a significantly higher chance of having parental interactions (AOR = 3.08 for book possessing, and AOR = 1.50 for the experience of toy play). Children who spent 1–3 h daily screen time had a significantly lower chance of having parental interactions than those who spent less than one hour of screen time (AOR = 0.67). In conclusion, with the emerging influence of digital technology, we recommend family and community promote parental interactions through play with young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thitikorn Topothai
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (R.S.); (C.T.); (V.T.); (N.C.); (O.W.)
- Division of Physical Activity and Health, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +66-2590-2366
| | - Rapeepong Suphanchaimat
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (R.S.); (C.T.); (V.T.); (N.C.); (O.W.)
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
| | - Chompoonut Topothai
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (R.S.); (C.T.); (V.T.); (N.C.); (O.W.)
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117549, Singapore
- Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
| | - Viroj Tangcharoensathien
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (R.S.); (C.T.); (V.T.); (N.C.); (O.W.)
| | - Nisachol Cetthakrikul
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (R.S.); (C.T.); (V.T.); (N.C.); (O.W.)
| | - Orratai Waleewong
- International Health Policy Program, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand; (R.S.); (C.T.); (V.T.); (N.C.); (O.W.)
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Abstract
The study examines whether and why parental job loss may stifle early child development, relying on cohort data from the population of children born in Ireland in 2007–2008 (N = 6,303) and followed around the time of the Great Recession (2008–2013). A novel approach to mediation analysis is deployed, testing expectations from models of family investment and family stress. Parental job loss exacerbates problem behavior at ages 3 and 5 (.05–.08 SDs), via the channels of parental income and maternal negative parenting. By depressing parental income, job loss also hampers children’s verbal ability at age 3 (.03 SDs). This is tied to reduced affordability of formal childcare, highlighting a policy lever that might tame the intergenerational toll of job loss.
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Morrissey TW, Cha Y, Wolf S, Khan M. Household economic instability: Constructs, measurement, and implications. CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES REVIEW 2020; 118:105502. [PMID: 32981999 PMCID: PMC7508048 DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of research demonstrates the multiple dimensions and dynamism of family income and employment. The metrics of household economic instability and their associations with household characteristics and hardship require further examination in order to compare across studies, subgroups, and historical periods. This paper empirically examines and compares commonly used measures of income and employment instability, how these measures inter-relate, vary by household characteristics, and how they predict household hardship. Using longitudinal data from the 2008 panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), and focusing on households with children, this study examined a range of descriptive measures of economic instability, including in income, earnings, public assistance benefits, and employment status, and how these measures related to each other. Results indicate that overall rates of income and employment instability were high, particularly among less-educated families, those with young children, and those who did not own a home. Economic instability, particularly decreases in employment, was associated with increased household hardship three months later. Findings also show that the source of income included in the instability measure affects the patterns identified and conclusions drawn, whereas the specific type of measure used matters less. Results highlight the instability of public assistance benefits and suggest that safety net programs must take economic instability into account when designing programs and benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taryn W Morrissey
- Department of Public Administration and Policy, School of Public Affairs, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016, United States
| | - Yun Cha
- Department of Sociology, University of Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Sharon Wolf
- Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Mariam Khan
- Department of Public Administration and Policy, School of Public Affairs, American University, United States
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