Family vulnerability, disruption, and parent mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study evaluated two pathways that may help explain changes in parent mental health during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. One pathway, the preexisting vulnerability pathway, considered whether family relationship quality prior to the COVID-19 pandemic predicted parent mental health during the pandemic. The second, the family disruption pathway, considered deterioration in family relationship quality as predictive of declines in parent mental health during the pandemic. We measured family relationship quality in terms of family cohesion, conflict, and routines and predicted parent anxiety, depression, and hostility. All models included financial strain and child externalizing behavior as covariates. The sample included 204 parents who completed one survey prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, a second survey after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in May 2020, and a third survey 2 weeks after the initial survey was sent. Analyses utilized a model-building approach where separate structural equation models were calculated for each family dimension and covariate and significant findings were integrated into a single model. Results supported the preexisting vulnerabilities and disruption hypotheses. Pre-COVID-19 family conflict, financial strain, and child externalizing problems were risks for parent mental health problems. Disruption effects were evident, such that increases in family conflict and increases in financial strain each predicted worse parent mental health. Family cohesion, routines, and social support did not predict parent’s mental health outcomes.