Parent-child relationships and psychological distress: survey of parents from low-income families after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Li Ping Wong, Haridah Alias, Nik Daliana Nik Farid, Sofia Md Yusop, Zuhrah Musa, Zhijian Hu, Yulan Lin
Author Information
Li Ping Wong: Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Haridah Alias: Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence-Based Practice, Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Nik Daliana Nik Farid: Centre for Population Health (CePH), Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Sofia Md Yusop: National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), LPPKN Building, Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Zuhrah Musa: National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN), LPPKN Building, Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Zhijian Hu: Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
Yulan Lin: Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
Introduction: This study aims to shed light on parent-child relationships and the psychological health of parents from low-income families after the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 553 parents of children aged 13-24 years in low-income community settings. The Parent-Child Conflict scale of the Parental Environment Questionnaire (PEQ) was used to measure parent-child conflict. Psychological distress was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale short form (DASS-21). Results: The study revealed a low level of parent-child conflict in the overall study population, with a median PEQ of 48.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 36 to 48). Concerning demographics, married parents reported a likelihood of having a higher level of parent-child conflict over 3 times higher than single parents (OR = 3.18 95%, CI 1.30-7.75). More parent-child conflicts were also found in parents aged 60-72 years old who were unemployed, retired, or housewives and from lower-income groups. In regard to lifestyle factors, a higher level of physical activity and having enough sleep were associated with lower levels of parent-child conflict. Only approximately 1% of the participants reported symptoms of depression, anxiety, or stress. Discussion: Low risk exists for parent-child conflict and psychological sequelae following the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which could be due to various support measures implemented by the government. Vulnerable parents identified as being at risk of parent-child conflict warrant attention in future advocacy efforts.
