COVID-19 pandemic stress and anxiety among South African parents and their children

The global outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) significantly impacted the mental health of individuals across all age groups. The Co-SPACE (COVID-19: Supporting Parents, Adolescents, and Children during Epidemics) study conducted in South Africa aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the mental health of parents/carers and their children. The online survey involved 257 parents/carers of children (aged 4 to 10 years) and adolescents (aged 11 to 18 years) attending school in Grades R (pre-formal schooling) to 12. The survey assessed the stressors faced by parents/carers, evaluated children’s anxiety levels using the Pandemic Anxiety Scale (PAS), created to measure specific pandemic-related mental health factors, and gathered information on children’s concerns and time allocation. Study findings revealed that the COVID-19 lockdown had a detrimental effect on both parents/carers and their children. The top three sources of stress reported by parents/carers were their work, their child’s future, and their child’s education. Children and adolescents had average anxiety levels of 11.60 ± 6.14 and 14.62 ± 5.56 on the PAS, respectively. Factors such as the child’s age, household income, and family composition were associated with higher anxiety levels. This study highlights the experiences and stress levels faced by parents/carers during the pandemic, as well as the concerns of their children and adolescents. It underscores the importance of identifying vulnerable groups and understanding the factors contributing to their mental health difficulties. This knowledge is crucial for developing effective strategies to address the mental health challenges arising from COVID-19 and future crises. By recognizing and addressing these issues, society can better support families and promote overall well-being.