Determination of Parents’ Opinions and Anxiety Levels Regarding the Effects of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) on Their Children

Purpose: To determine parents’ anxiety levels who have children aged between 0-18 according to their COVID-19 experience and views on COVID-19 and its effects on their children.Design and Methods: This descriptive study sample consisted of 540 parents who agreed to participate on online platforms between February 2021 and May 2021. The 'Parent Information Form' and 'Beck Anxiety Inventory' were used for data collection.Results: The anxiety score of parents who had COVID-19 (p=.036) or whose child had had COVID-19 (p=.026) was statistically significantly higher than parents who did not. Parents were most worried that they (53.7%,n=290), their child (69%,n=373), or any family member (70.7%,n=382) could get COVID-19, possible complications if their children get COVID-19 (59.4%,n=321), hospitalization during the pandemic process (53.1%,n=287), transmitting the virus to children (59.2%, n=320), and the effects of the pandemic on children in the future (58.9%, n=318). Most parents (53.3%,n=288) were undecided about having enough information regarding the impact of COVID-19 on their children.Conclusion: The anxiety level of parents with children with chronic diseases was higher than other parents. The COVID-19 experience of parents during the pandemic process is also effective on anxiety levels. The anxiety score of parents who had COVID-19 or whose child had had COVID-19 was statistically significantly higher than parents who did not.Practice Implications: Protecting parents’ mental health is essential for its effects on children’s mental health. Therefore, focusing on prevention methods and accurate informing during and after the pandemic to raise parents’ awareness is essential.