7 - Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on Family Functioning, Risk, and Decision-making: Overview and Treatment Considerations

Chair(s)

• LQ

  Lauren Quetsch, Ph.D.

  Assistant Professor
  University of Arkansas
  FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas

Discussant(s)

• AM

  Angela Moreland, Ph.D.

  Associate Professor
  Medical University of South Carolina
  Charleston, South Carolina

Presenter(s)

• LQ

  Lauren Quetsch, Ph.D.

  Assistant Professor
  University of Arkansas
  FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas
• AM

  Angela Moreland, Ph.D.

  Associate Professor
  Medical University of South Carolina
  Charleston, South Carolina
• LJ

  Lauren Jones, M.A.

  Miami University
  Oxford, Ohio
• AM

  Austen McGuire, M.A.

  Clinical Child Psychology Program University of Kansas
  Lawrence, Kansas

On top of the physical health concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, American families with young children also faced a myriad of mental health issues, economic strain, and unparalleled levels of stress (Schwartz & Rothbart, 2020; Yoshikawa et al., 2020). Children were deprived of normal social stimulation, had increased rates of home-based maltreatment, and faced food insecurities, while caregivers reported increased home responsibilities, depleted emotional resources, and complications in work expectations (Prime et al., 2020). For families of color, many experienced higher rates of COVID infection and poorer quality of medical treatment within hospitals (Tai et al., 2020). Furthermore, strained parent-child relationships were also common (Constantino et al., 2020). The following symposium will discuss findings from four unique studies which highlight how young families were impacted by the hardships stemming from COVID-19. Specifically, the studies will explore how COVID-19 impacted family functioning, family risk-factors predicted caregiver well-being, and caregivers weighed important factors in deciding how to proceed during the reopening of schools. Presenters will discuss how mental health care workers should address these issues with families of young children and incorporate efforts to promote coping mechanisms and stress management. Additionally, the audience will be informed of how families facing additional challenges (e.g., children with developmental disabilities, low income) were adversely impacted during this period; recommendations will be emphasized on these families’ unique needs.

Presentations:

• (Sym 7) A Qualitative Exploration of Parental Decision-making in Child Schooling During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Stress Management and Thoughtful Therapy
  

  Presenter: Lauren Quetsch, Ph.D. – University of Arkansas

  Co-author: Lauren Quetsch, Ph.D. – University of Arkansas

  Co-author: Carrie Jackson, PhD – Private Practice

  Co-author: Harlee Onovbiona, BS – University of Arkansas Psychology Department

  Co-author: Rebecca Bradley, BS – University of Arkansas, Department of Psychological Science
• (Sym 7) Parenting Stress and Low-income Preschool Family Well-being During COVID-19
  

  Presenter: Angela Moreland, Ph.D. – Medical University of South Carolina

  Co-author: Caitlin Rancher, Ph.D. – Medical University of South Carolina

  Co-author: Grace Hubel, PhD – College of Charleston

  Co-author: Caroline Shanholtz, PhD – University of California, Los Angeles

  Co-author: Angela Moreland, Ph.D. – Medical University of South Carolina
• (Sym 7) Mid-pandemic Social Support Buffers the Relation Between Pre-pandemic Maternal Emotion Regulation Difficulties and Later Pandemic Anxiety and Depression Symptoms
  

  Presenter: Lauren Jones, M.A. – Miami University

  Co-author: Elizabeth J. Kiel, Ph.D. – Miami University

  Co-author: Aaron Luebbe, Ph.D. – Miami University

  Co-author: M. Cameron Hay, Ph.D. – Miami University
• (Sym 7) Unique Patterns of Pandemic-related Experiences and Psychosocial Risk Among Families with and Without Children
  

  Presenter: Austen McGuire, M.A. – Clinical Child Psychology Program University of Kansas

  Co-author: Tim Janssen, PhD – Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Brown University

  Co-author: Teresa Castro-Lopez, PhD – The City College of New York

  Co-author: Damion Grasso, Ph.D. – UCONN Health Center