Parental depressive and anxiety symptoms as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic: a birth cohort follow-up study

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19, significant rises in psychiatric symptomatology have been reported. However, very few studies have examined change in symptoms in comparison to pre-pandemic levels. Especially parents of young children may be particularly vulnerable due, for example, homeschooling and other caregiving responsibilities. AimsWe examined the change in depressive and anxiety symptoms from pre-pandemic to pandemic period among parents, and the factors explaining the symptom levels and within-subject change.MethodsThe sample (N=651) consists of parents recruited to the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study in 2010-2015. Maternal and paternal depressive (EPDS) and anxiety symptoms (SCL-90) were measured using self-reports at 2 and 4 years of child’s age and during the pandemic in May 2020 around two months after the first COVID-19 cases were identified in Finland. ResultsHigher symptom level was associated with COVID-related stressors, being mother (vs. father), prior symptoms and prior negative life events. Importantly, there was a significant increase in both depressive and anxiety symptoms and in subjects scoring above the screening cut-off of depression from pre-pandemic to pandemic. The significant within-subject increase in symptoms was predicted by experiencing pandemic restrictions affecting free time and prior negative life events. The increase in symptoms more pronounced in mothers (Cohen’s d=0.38 and 0.30) versus fathers (Cohen’s d=0.19 and .00).ConclusionsA remarkable increase in symptoms is observed among parents in a general population sample. The study has implications for identifying parents as well as providing support for families in the face of pandemic.