Effects of Parental Mental Health on Children in a Worldwide Pandemic

Abstract

In March of 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a worldwide pandemic. Shortly after, most of the United States called for businesses, schools, childcare facilities, restaurants, and entertainment venues to close their doors to "flatten the curve." What many thought would be a few short weeks turned into months of isolation. The impact of parental mental health on early childhood development has been researched for many years, but it has never been considered in the context of a worldwide pandemic. The paper is a literature review examining the effects of parental mental health on children with consideration to the added factor of the COVID-19 pandemic. The review sought to gain understanding and provide evidence of what the added implications might be to the delicate balance of parental mental health and early childhood development under such circumstances as a worldwide pandemic. Literature was collected from studies on parental mental health and early childhood development along with more recent research on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year. The review explored key areas of parental mental health, stress, anxiety, and depression that might pose greater risk due to the pandemic, on the negative impact these have on children. The conclusion was made that parental mental health is an important factor in the early development of children, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this important relationship needs further investigation. This relationship of parental mental health and early childhood development focused on the pandemic should be an area of concern and focus for all. Intervention, support, and education are vital to mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and help support both parent and child.