As family well-being declines, so does children ’s behavior

The COVID-19 pandemic is bad not only for our physical health, but our mental health as well. It has killed thousands of people and disrupted our lives in terrible ways. So it’s not surprising that a recent survey finds that parents in the US are having a hard time. Researchers did a national survey in June of 2020 of more than 1,000 parents with children under the age of 18, asking questions about mental health, insurance coverage, food security, child care, and use of health care. They found that compared to before March of 2020, 27% reported worsening mental health for themselves 17% reported worsening behavioral health for their children Moderate to severe food insecurity rose by a third, going from 6% to 8% Employee-sponsored health care went down only slightly, from 63% to 60% 24% reported loss of child care; however, among families with children 5 or younger, it was closer to 50%. Among those who lost childcare, the majority (74%) reported that a parent was watching the child instead. Obviously, this has implications for that parent’s ability to work. 40% reported cancellations or delays in their child’s health care, most commonly well-child care but also specialty and behavioral health care. Connections to mental and behavioral health One in 10 families reported worsening mental health for themselves as well as worsening behavioral health for their children. Among those who reported that both were happening, 48% reported loss of regular child care, 16% reporte...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Tags: Adolescent health Behavioral Health Children's Health Mental Health Parenting Source Type: blogs