Changes in Children’s Mental Health, Parenting and Socioeconomic Status of the Families During the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic at a Private School in Bangkok
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Abstract
Objective : To assess the changes in children’s mental health, parenting behaviors and socioeconomic status of the families during the first lockdown of COVID-19 pandemic.
Method : This is a cross-sectional study. Parents of children studying in grade 1-6 at private school in Bangkok completed a questionnaire from October 2020 – January 2021. A questionnaire was made by a researcher and was used to assess the changes in children’s mental health, parenting behaviors and socioeconomic status of the families. The population’s demographic data was analyzed with percentage and mean. Logistic regression analysis was used to predict the factors affecting children’s mental health and parenting behaviors.
Results : Of the 348 participants, there was no significant changes in children’s mental health and parenting behaviors during the first lockdown of COVID-19 pandemic. Factors affecting parenting behaviors were mental supports about COVID-19, no quarrels in the families, an enough income to cover the expenses, and no histories of violence in family’s members. Factors affecting children’s mental health were parents’ emotional regulation and parents’ abilities to prevent children from witnessing the quarrels in the families.
Conclusion : Parents’ emotional regulation and an enough income to cover the expenses were essential in helping parents during the first lockdown of COVID-19 pandemic.
Keywords : COVID-19, children’s mental health, parenting behaviors
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