@article{ref1,
title="Examining the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on family mental health in Canada: findings from a national cross-sectional study",
journal="BMJ open",
year="2021",
author="Gagné, Monique and Richardson, Chris G. and Thomson, Kimberly C. and Gadermann, Anne C. and McAuliffe, Corey and Hirani, Saima and Jenkins, Emily",
volume="11",
number="1",
pages="e042871-e042871",
abstract="OBJECTIVES: In the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, social isolation, school/child care closures and employment instability have created unprecedented  conditions for families raising children at home. This study describes the mental  health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on families with children in Canada. DESIGN,  SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This descriptive study used a nationally representative,  cross-sectional survey of adults living in Canada (n=3000) to examine the mental  health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Outcomes among parents with children <18  years old living at home (n=618) were compared with the rest of the sample. Data  were collected via an online survey between 14 May to 29 May 2020. OUTCOME MEASURES:  Participants reported on changes to their mental health since the onset of the  pandemic and sources of stress, emotional responses, substance use patterns and  suicidality/self-harm. Additionally, parents identified changes in their  interactions with their children, impacts on their children's mental health and  sources of support accessed. <br><br>RESULTS: 44.3% of parents with children <18 years  living at home reported worse mental health as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic  compared with 35.6% of respondents without children <18 living at home, χ(2) (1,  n=3000)=16.2, p<0.001. More parents compared with the rest of the sample reported  increased alcohol consumption (27.7% vs 16.1%, χ(2) (1, n=3000)=43.8, p<0.001),  suicidal thoughts/feelings (8.3% vs 5.2%, χ(2) (1, n=3000)=8.0, p=0.005) and stress  about being safe from physical/emotional domestic violence (11.5% vs 7.9%, χ(2) (1,  n=3000)=8.1, p=0.005). 24.8% (95% CI 21.4 to 28.4) of parents reported their  children's mental health had worsened since the pandemic. Parents also reported more  frequent negative as well as positive interactions with their children due to the  pandemic (eg, more conflicts, 22.2% (95% CI 19.0 to 25.7); increased feelings of  closeness, 49.7% (95% CI 45.7 to 53.7)). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies that  families with children <18 at home have experienced deteriorated mental health due  to the pandemic. Population-level responses are required to adequately respond to  families' diverse needs and mitigate the potential for widening health and social  inequities for parents and children.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2044-6055",
doi="10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042871",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-042871"
}