The Impact of COVID-19 on Parent and Child Well-Being in Early Childhood

Project Summary
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed nearly every aspect of life. Research is beginning to document the
disproportionate impact of the pandemic on parents and children; however, much of the research does not
assess the multi-dimensional nature of the pandemic, evaluate long-term outcomes, or measure multiple
indices of well-being. In response to NOT-MH-21-330 (“Social, Behavioral, and Economic Impact of COVID-19
in Underserved and Vulnerable Populations”), our team of experts in parenting, family well-being, risk and
protective factors, and resilience, proposes to examine how parent and child well-being has been influenced by
the pandemic. In addition, we propose to leverage and expand upon data from a prospective, longitudinal
study (“Infant Growth and Development Study”, R01HD093662; R01HD110470 pending; PI: Leerkes) of 299
women and their infants, followed from pregnancy until children were 3.5 years old. We will recontact mothers
when children are 4 years old and conduct a timeline follow-back interview with mothers and coparents about
their COVID-related experiences to investigate how COVID has impacted parents’ and children’s well-being
over time. Our three Specific Aims will examine: (1) how COVID-related experiences (both stressors and
supports) impacted parent and child well-being across multiple dimensions during early childhood; (2)
racial/ethnic and household income disparities in the impact of COVID-related stressors across multiple
dimensions of well-being and potential protective factors (i.e., social support, supportive coparenting,
neighborhood quality); and (3) how timing of COVID-related stressors and supports influences parent and child
well-being. Parent outcomes will include social strain, positive parenting, economic strain, and physical and
mental health. Child outcomes will include socioemotional adjustment, pre-academic skills, and health. Data
will be assessed via parent report and interviewer observations. The proposal addresses critical knowledge
gaps including: an exclusive focus on negative COVID experiences, a focus on single or narrow domains of
parent and child well-being during the pandemic, and a lack of attention to heterogeneity in the impacts of the
pandemic across families. Results will have important implications for understanding which parents and
children need the most support in the current pandemic, as well as informing prevention and intervention
programs aiming to promote parent and child well-being in future pandemics.