Abstract
Abstract (Part A)
This study aimed to understand the impact of COVID-19-related stress, parental technology
related interference in child-parent interaction – termed ‘technoference’ – and social media
use on parenting behaviours and child developmental outcomes. A secondary aim was to
explore the familial experience of the pandemic. Parents (n = 127) were recruited via an
online cross-sectional survey. Data was collected through questionnaires and open-ended
comments. Regression analysis indicated that greater parental COVID-19 related stress was
associated with more technoference and parent-proxy cognitive deficit scores in children
aged 6-11 years old, as well as lower levels of self-reported authoritative parenting, which
includes characteristics such as autonomy-granting and warmth. Greater social media use was
associated with permissive parenting behaviours, characterised by warmth but less discipline
or structure. Parental qualitative responses highlighted many challenges faced by families
during the pandemic, with negative mental health changes being the most frequently reported
difficulty. Findings and clinical implications are discussed in the context of managing the
effect of the pandemic on child development.
Abstract (Part B)
This study aimed to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and paternal
depressive symptoms on parenting behaviours and child developmental outcomes. It also
aimed to explore the paternal experience of the pandemic. Fathers (n = 87) were recruited for
an online cross-sectional survey. Data was collected through questionnaires and open-ended
comments. Regression analysis indicated; greater pandemic impact was associated with more
self-reported depressive symptoms in fathers. Higher COVID-19 impact scores, but not
paternal depression, was linked to less positive parenting behaviours in fathers. Paternal
pandemic impact and depression symptoms were negatively associated with child cognitive,
emotional, and behavioural outcomes. Qualitative responses from fathers noted that concerns
for their children, work and mental health were most prevalent during the pandemic.
However, several responders noted no change or positive change during the pandemic.
Clinical implications include targeted interventions and psychoeducation for fathers that
acknowledge difference in paternal coping and support seeking.