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This paper discusses the experiences during COVID-19 of mothers who have young children, are survivors of domestic violence and who share parenting to highlight the further unsafe situations survivors of violence and their children were placed in during the pandemic. Part of a larger mixed methods study, these participants (n = 19) from three Canadian provinces, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario, engaged in virtual individual one-on-one interviews via zoom. Using thematic analysis, four themes emerged from the data: 1) increased use of coercive controlling behaviors; 2) fear of the unknown; 3) lack of supports; and, 4) finding balance. Direct quotes are used to highlight the meaning of each theme. We outline the challenges these women have that are in addition to those experienced by many during COVID-19 times (increased stress, isolation, disconnect from supports, financial challenges). These include managing the shared parenting arrangements with a former abusive partner who used the pandemic as a further opportunity for coercive controlling behaviors under the guise of the public health order. The mothers were left to manage the difficult exchanges with a former abusive partner and unknown circumstances of the pandemic without guidance and support from legal actors. There will need to be a prioritization of the safety of mothers and their children in post-divorce parenting arrangements both during times of a community lockdown such as during the pandemic and also during non-pandemic times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides a rigorous assessment of a community-based early child development (ECD) intervention to understand the drivers of caregivers' reading and playing practices in a low-resourced township in South Africa. Mentors visited 157 homes biweekly (2474 observations from 2019–21; children ages 0–5), completing surveys regarding caregiver behaviors and engagement. One hundred and fifty-seven caregivers (mostly Black, Zulu women) participated in the program during this time period and completed surveys biannually on their support system (modified version of the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Support) and ECD beliefs (modified versions of the Parental Play Beliefs Scale and the Parent Opinion Survey). Longitudinal Hierarchical Linear Model revealed that several behaviors and beliefs significantly predicted positive parenting behaviors. Regression discontinuity plots suggest that positive parenting behaviors could continue and even improve following Covid-19 shutdowns, especially in homes with more intervention visits. This paper provides translational evidence on tangible ways interventions can engage caregivers in stimulating ECD behaviors. Highlights: This study analyzes data from a South African ECD intervention targeting caregiver reading and playing practices through a relational home-visitation program. Caregiver engagement was the changeable individual difference that best predicted caregiver reading and playing behaviors. Time in the program, social support, and hope that children will have a better future significantly predicted caregiver reading and playing behaviors. Participants who were in the program for over a year before the pandemic were best able to sustain positive beliefs of child development after the shutdown. Caregiver involvement and reading and playing improved even after the pandemic shutdown, especially in homes that had more intervention visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parenting couples with young children are at risk for relationship problems, which was exacerbated during the pandemic. The current study examines the use of a brief, low-intensity writing intervention that promotes conflict reappraisal strategies to enhance relationship quality. We examine feasibility metrics (i.e., recruitment, eligibility criteria, demographics, retention, adherence, uptake, and acceptability) and pre-post change in couple and family outcomes, with the goal of informing future program iterations. Fifteen couples (n = 30), at elevated risk for relationship difficulties due to their developmental stage (i.e., couples with children <6 years old) and the context (i.e., COVID-19 pandemic), took part in a single-arm, pre-test/post-test study in August – October 2021. Following the completion of baseline surveys, couples independently took part in three conflict reappraisal writing sessions over the course of five weeks. Subsequently, they completed post-test surveys. The sample was diverse: 60.0% of participants identified as being part of a racially minoritized group; 40.0% reported being born outside of Canada; and 13.3% self-identified as LGBTQIA2S+. Adherence, retention, and uptake were good, as was intervention acceptability. Positive change was evident in couple outcomes (relationship quality and responsiveness), in expected directions, with less support for change in family outcomes (parenting and parent mental health). Findings justify a future evaluative randomized controlled trial. In the future, we will aim to increase recruitment efforts and expand participant diversity, with some planned program changes. Clinicaltrials.gov Registration (retroactive): NCT05143437. Highlights: Relationships of couples with young children are at risk due to stress following the transition to parenthood and disruptions caused by the pandemic We examined the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an intervention that promotes conflict reappraisal for parenting couples Feasibility captured our ability to recruit and retain diverse couples from the community, though higher recruitment rates are needed for a larger randomized controlled trial A diverse group of participants found the intervention to be acceptable and reported positive changes in couple outcomes Next steps include an evaluative randomized controlled trial to assess effectiveness, with efforts targeted towards increasing recruitment rates and minor program adaptations [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2020, the rapid spread of COVID-19 led to physical school closures across the United States. Schools quickly transitioned to a remote and/or virtual learning environment. This transition had implications for students at all levels of education, especially for those most vulnerable and school-dependent for ancillary resources. The goal of this qualitative exploratory research study was to examine how public elementary schools in Georgia adapted their learning environments for students in kindergarten through third grade during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data collection activities included school demographic surveys, parent surveys, interviews with twelve school administrators, and six focus groups with twenty-six parents. The participants discussed schools' preparation capabilities, implementation of learning modalities, and resources for students and families. Most school personnel described the new virtual teaching demands as a hurdle for their teachers and identified several academic consequences stemming from inadequate technology access or training, such as student absenteeism and lower teaching performance. Schools lacked appropriate preparation as well as limited resources to transition to virtual learning. The COVID-19 pandemic aggravated pre-existing education and technology resource disparities for students and families of low socio-economic status or who live in rural areas. Findings from this study provide educators with information regarding deficiencies in the learning environment and provide recommendations for ongoing academic remedial efforts. Additionally, this study provides important context for the shortcomings of the COVID-19 learning environments and highlights the need to strengthen school community infrastructure and emergency planning. Highlights: School administrators and parents from four public elementary schools located in urban and rural settings reported school adaptations made during the COVID-19 pandemic Many K-3 teachers were unprepared to provide virtual instruction and many K-3 students attending 'high poverty' schools lacked access to digital resources Three of the four schools lacked the resource capacity to support student learning needs during the spring 2020 transition and reported student absenteeism from online classes Schools should prioritize issues of academic preparedness and capacity building [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early care and education (ECE), or the care young children receive before entering formal schooling, can take multiple forms and is delivered in different settings, such as a center, church, or public school. Federal and state governments regularly fund ECE programs and policies through the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG). Many families, however, face significant challenges in access, cost, and quality of ECE programs, and ECE professionals report substantial challenges in the workplace (e.g., inadequate training) and beyond (e.g., low wages). Policies addressing issues related to ECE were proposed in 2021, but stalled on the U.S. federal policy agenda. In this study, we examine the ECE content of local television news coverage both for its representations of and for its potential influences on ECE policy agendas. We use data from local stations affiliated with the major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX) in media markets across the U.S., airing before and during the pandemic. We analyze elements of coverage that could affect public recognition of ECE-related issues, including how problems were framed (e.g., news coverage highlighting scandals or adverse events at ECE facilities) and solutions identified (e.g., public policy). We find that during 2018 and 2019, more coverage highlighted scandalous activity than public policy. The reverse was true, however, during the early period of the pandemic (from mid-March through June of 2020). Researchers and health professionals were seldom included in stories in either sample, and very few stories offered context about the benefits of ECE for health and well-being. These coverage patterns have implications for the public's understanding of ECE policy and the perceived need for reform. Policymakers, advocates, and researchers looking to advance support for ECE should consider ways to use local television news to present health and policy-relevant information to broad segments of the public. Highlights: Local tv news coverage related to early care and education (ECE) inconsistently highlighted policy, a potential solution to issues of access, affordability, and quality faced by individuals and families. In 2018 and 2019, local tv news coverage of ECE frequently highlighted scandalous and adverse events occurring near or with staff from ECE facilities. Such coverage – focused on the individual problems associated with ECE - may lead viewers to question the safety and legitimacy of childcare offerings in their community and limit perceptions of systemic issues. During the first stage of the COVID-19 pandemic – March through June of 2020 – local tv news coverage of ECE frequently highlighted the policy response to COVID-19 and related provisions for early care and education. Researchers and advocates working to advance ECE-related policy should consider the opportunity to partner with local tv news to build awareness of the need for policy reform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic presents a significant challenge to the well-being of families with children. Although previous studies have documented COVID-related deterioration in parents' mental health, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. It is also unclear how much of the deterioration is due to the pandemic itself, versus mandated lockdown measures. We conducted a cross-sectional study in Singapore to examine perceived changes in parents' lives and mental health related to the pandemic and lockdown measures. In June 2020, when Singapore had just exited a nationwide lockdown, we asked families to retrospectively report on the family dynamics, daily activities, and mental health of family members during the phases before local transmission (Pre-pandemic), during local transmission but before the lockdown (Pre-lockdown), and during the lockdown (Lockdown). Results from 180 mothers and 166 fathers from 198 families showed significant changes in jobs and income, childcare arrangements, family dynamics, and parents' perceived mental health across the three timepoints. Mothers' increased time spent on housework was associated with the increase in their mental health problems from Pre-lockdown to Lockdown. Parents' increased conflict with other adults in the household was associated with the increase in their mental health problems from Pre-pandemic to Pre-lockdown, and from Pre-lockdown to Lockdown. Mental health problems increased more for young mothers, parents with a graduate or professional degree, and fathers high on authoritarian values. Findings suggest that both the pandemic and the imposed lockdown measures impact parents' lives and family dynamics, in turn leading to deterioration in parents' mental health. Highlights: There were significant changes in Singaporean parents' daily activities, family dynamics, and mental health during the COVID-19 period. Rule setting and conflict with children increased among authoritarian fathers, and autonomy granting decreased among authoritarian mothers. Mothers' time spent on housework was associated with their increased mental health problems during lockdown. Parents' conflict with other adults in the household was associated with their increased mental health problems during both pandemic and lockdown. Mental health problems increased more for young mothers, parents with a graduate or professional degree, and authoritarian fathers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies of the impact of COVID-19 on mental health symptoms suggest that there may be a unique impact of COVID-19 on minoritized individuals, young children (children five and younger), and their caregivers. Longitudinal studies with representative samples including minoritized populations are needed to accurately reflect the experience of families during COVID-19. The current study used a longitudinal design to assess trajectories of mental health among Latinx female caregivers and their young children over time, beginning prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and over the course of 12 months. In fall of 2019, Latinx female caregivers (N = 213; 93.0% biological mother) of young children (Mage = 5.38, SD = 0.34) reported on their own and their child's (52.6% female) mental health symptoms, as well as parenting stress, at three time points through Fall of 2020. Growth curve models showed that self-report of caregiver global mental health worsened over time, though caregiver depression and parenting stress did not change significantly, nor did caregiver-report of their children's mental health. Results suggest that while female caregiver well-being was adversely affected by COVID-19, caregivers showed resilience in the face of this pandemic, which in turn may have buffered the impact of the pandemic on Latinx child mental health. Methodological and contextual implications of these results are considered. Highlights: Little is known about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young children and their caregivers, especially families from minoritized backgrounds. This study explores mental health trajectories of female caregivers and their young children during COVID-19 in a sample of Latinx families. Growth curve models were constructed using female caregiver report data collected prior to the pandemic and at two points during the pandemic. Self-report ratings of female caregiver global mental health decreased significantly throughout the pandemic. No significant changes were found in caregiver depression, parenting stress, or child mental health, indicating resilience in the face of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explored how psychological stress and parenting styles predicted parental involvement for children with intellectual disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic by adminsitering the Psychological Stress Questionnaire, Parenting Style Index and Parental Involvement Scale to 995 parents of children with intellectual disabilities. Our results indicated that psychological stress significantly negatively predicted parental involvement. In addition, three dimension of parenting styles significantly positively predicted parental involvement, with the results of acceptance/involvement (β ranging from 0.19 to 0.55, p < 0.001), strictness/supervision (β ranging from 0.16 to 0.34, p < 0.05), and psychological autonomy (β ranging from 0.23 to 0.28, p < 0.001). The present research's significance, limitations, and implications are also discussed. Highlight: Parental involvement has five dimensions (parenting, helping with homework, communicating with the school, volunteering at school and participating in school decision making) suggested by Epstein et al. The present research aims to explore how psychological stress and parenting styles predicted parental involvement for children with intellectual disabilities during the COVID-19. Results indicated that psychological stress significantly negatively predicted parental involvement, while parenting styles significantly positively predicted parental involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 lockdown-imposed restrictions emerged as a risk to children's well-being. However, the extant literature often ignored children's experiences, emotions, struggles, hopes, and expectations. Based on a large sample of Italian students (N = 906; mean age = 9.4 years, 48.8% female), we drew data from a post-lockdown school re-entry program where students completed narrative activities in 2020. These narratives underwent quantitative content analysis according to gender and school level. Overall, children reported mixed feelings about the lockdown; they felt safe at home but also experienced fear and missed their friends, school, and freedom. Screen-time, technology and friendships helped, but children struggled to make sense of the events. Our findings show how children attempted to make sense of the lockdown experience and may provide key information for the development of community coping programs to help children facing crises in the future. Highlights: Children narrated their lockdown experiences as part of a post lockdown school re-entry program. We identified, coded, classified, and evaluated their narratives to examine perception and coping mechanisms utilized during the covid pandemic. Family, friendship, and relationships helped children to deal with the impacts of the pandemic and with the forced isolation. Children suffered from the loss of physical contacts with peers, freedom, and school. Understanding children's experience during a crisis can benefit the future development of crisis coping programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While rates of child maltreatment increased during the Covid-19-pandemic, face-to-face interventions to support families got difficult to carry out due to restrictions. Meanwhile, many services do not have access to parenting programs designed for digital or remote delivery. A solution employed by some services was to use video conferencing (VC) to deliver their regular parenting programs. This study examined the effectiveness of the universal group-based parenting program ABC offered through VC instead of on-site meetings during the pandemic. Pre and post measurements were collected from 469 parents participating in either 1) ABC with VC meetings only, 2) on-site meetings only, or 3) blended – a combination of VC and on-site sessions. In addition, 74 group leaders completed a survey about their experiences of VC groups. Analyses showed general improvements in parent practices and child conduct over time, but no differences in effectiveness depending on the format of the parent group (VC, blended, or on-site). Qualitative analyses of group leaders' experiences revealed four key-themes pertaining to both challenges (e.g., concerns about parents' ability to benefit and learn parenting skills) and benefits (e.g., reaching parents who would not have been able to attend physical meetings) of VC groups. Overall, this study showed no significant differences in outcomes between the VC, blended, or on-site format of delivery. There are however limitations of this trial, and results should be considered preliminary. Effectiveness and potential negative consequences of replacing interventions intended to be delivered on-site with VC alternatives need to be further investigated in future trials. Highlights: While the pandemic put families at strain, on-site support programs got difficult to deliver due to pandemic restrictions. In Sweden, clinics offered the universal parenting program ABC through video conferencing (ABC-VC). This study examined outcomes of ABC conducted by VC versus on-site, and how group leaders experienced ABC-VC. Improvements in parenting skills and children's behaviors were similar for parents receiving ABC on-site and by VC. Video conferencing can be a way to reach more families. Meanwhile, some parents may benefit more from an on-site group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contemporary parenting challenge of regulating children's screen time became even more difficult during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). The current research addresses the characteristics of this challenge and explores mothers' perceptions regarding their children's screen use, through two consecutive studies. Study 1 included 299 mothers of elementary school children, who were asked to complete questionnaires regarding their children's screen habits. Mothers were also asked about their own attitudes towards screens, as parents, and about their personal feelings of frustration and guilt. Study 2 replicated this procedure among a new sample of 283 mothers who also completed validated scales assessing their sense of parental competence and authority style. Retrospective reports of mothers indicated that, during the lockdown, entertainment use of screens increased by 73% among 4th–6th graders and by 108% among 1st–3rd graders. Educational use increased by 86% in both age groups. Mothers' guilt increased as well and was predicted by children's entertainment use (but not educational use), after accounting for demographic variables and mothers' attitudes. Other factors, such as parenting style and having at-least one child with a diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), were associated with entertainment use (regardless of the COVID-19 lockdown). Factors that were found to moderate the lockdown effect were mothers' attitudes towards screens and parental confidence. The findings are discussed in the context of parents' efforts to regulate their children's screen use. Highlights: Children's screen time is a major parenting challenge today. Children's screen use for entertainment and educational purposes increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mothers' guilt also increased but was associated only with entertainment use of screens. The increase in entertainment use was moderated by mothers' attitudes and parental confidence. Parents may derive insights from this study regarding their own parental approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Individuals with neuro-developmental disabilities (NDD) have been profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on focus groups with 24 service providers supporting this population, using an Interpretive Description approach, we examined perceived impacts of the pandemic on individuals with NDD and their families. The results highlight pandemic-related experiences which include: service reduction, the need for financial supports, relying on natural supports, and school-related challenges. Interruptions in services have resulted in intensified mental health issues for individuals with NDD and family caregivers, with particular concern for those with added social determinants of health-related barriers. Mitigating factors have also emerged, such as resilience and technology utilization to facilitate communication. Recommendations for resource flexibility and sufficiency as well as navigational support are offered. Highlights: Focus groups were conducted with 24 service providers to learn about the impacts of the pandemic on individuals with NDD and their families. The COVID-19 pandemic has been difficult for individuals with neuro-developmental disabilities (NDD) who required supports, and for their families. Many community supports and services for this population were reduced during the pandemic, leading to difficulties, confusion, and outrage for individuals and families. Stress and caregiver burnout were described, with additional struggles faced by those with additional social determinants of health barriers. Generative factors were also described, including family resiliency and the leveraging of technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of parenting and parent-child activities in American families with children aged 0–16 after social distance measures were put in place. Through an online questionnaire, we examined the extent to which parental role, age, education, and perceptions of work productivity impacted parent perceptions of six parenting categories (positive parenting, inconsistent discipline, positive relationships, positive emotions, self-efficacy, and routine management) during the initial months of the pandemic. We also examined children's participation in extracurricular activities, before and after measures of social distancing were implemented. Perceptions of parenting did not differ based on parental roles, education and age, but work productivity had an impact on parents' perceptions of their own feelings and emotions. Parents who described themselves as highly productive reported higher scores for positive emotions, suggesting a link between work and parental wellbeing. A discrepancy was found between the activities that parents liked and disliked doing with their children, with homework and academic activities being the least liked of all. Children's participation in extracurricular activities was also significantly reduced after social distancing was mandated, with arts activities (music in particular) suffering the least amount of reduction. Findings are discussed considering earlier studies on parenting during COVID-19 and concerted cultivation. Implications for future parenting research are outlined. Highlights: Online questionnaire with American parents during the initial months of the pandemic. Parents who perceived themselves as more productive at work showed higher ratings for positive emotions. Homework and academic activities were rated as the least-liked activities that parents did with their children after social distancing was mandated. There was a significant reduction of extracurricular activities following "safer at home" measures, with the arts (music) suffering the least amount of reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The social distancing measures and the related closure of education institutions have confronted young families, in particular, with various challenges. Additional risk factors such as an insecure or even unresolved maternal attachment representation may affect mental health of mothers and their children in times of increased stress such as during the ongoing pandemic. We aimed to analyze the interplay between maternal attachment representation and mother's and children's mental health before and during the SARS-CoV-2-pandemic. 91 mothers completed a "SARS-CoV-2 pandemic survey" examining the pandemic-related stress of their families including their own depressive symptomology and their children's mental health. Our mediation analysis demonstrates that the mothers' depressive symptomology significantly and fully mediated the relationship between maternal attachment representations and children's mental health during the pandemic. In contrast, the indirect effect of the maternal attachment representation on children's mental health before the pandemic through the depressive symptoms experienced by the mothers before the pandemic did not reach significance alongside the total and direct effect. The quality of the maternal attachment representation, promoted by childhood maltreatment, seems to be one relevant risk factor for the mothers' and children's mental health during a stressful time like a pandemic. The risk for mothers to develop depressive symptoms in times of a pandemic is significantly influenced by their current representation of previous attachment experiences. In addition, the mental well-being of mothers showed a considerable influence on the children's mental health during a pandemic. The results underline the necessity to consider unique needs of family members and to offer specific support in the current crisis focusing on attachment issues. Highlights: Parental childhood maltreatment: Experiences of CM are more likely to develop an insecure and unresolved attachment representation in adulthood and this is a risk factor for increased depressive symptoms. Maternal attachment representation: Additional risk factors such as an insecure or even unresolved maternal attachment representation may affect mental health of mothers and their children in times of increased stress such as during the ongoing pandemic. SARS-CoV-2-pandemic: The social distancing measures and the related closure of education institutions during the pandemic have confronted young families, in particular, with various challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although single mothers report being most concerned about financial costs, the needs of these mothers and their children are more extensive. The current study evaluated a program for Black single mothers with adolescent daughters that emphasized the mother-daughter relationship and coping skills to promote well-being. The program is Building Our Nation's Daughters (BOND). Individual interviews were conducted with five mothers and five daughters who had participated in BOND. Interviews were conducted online during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed to allow for coding and analysis of qualitative data. Mothers and daughters also verbally provided numeric outcome ratings specific to select outcomes. Mother and daughter well-being improved based both on self-report and report of the other member of the dyad (i.e., mother for daughter, daughter for mother). Results suggest programs like BOND have the capacity to improve mood and strengthen the mother-daughter relationship through development of coping skills and conflict resolution skills. The evaluated program improved mother and daughter well-being in part through skills building, but importantly through improvement in the mother-daughter relationship, as well. BOND could be used as a template for similarly situated families. For example, the program could be modified to address the needs of single father households and single caregiver households with adolescent boys. Highlights: There is a need to expand our foci for interventions specific to Black single mothers to include wellness and their parent-child relationship. The current study demonstrated preliminary efficacy of the Building Our Nation's Daughter program in individual and dyadic outcomes. Interviewed mothers in the program described improved well-being, namely through a strengthened relationship with their daughter. During interviews with adolescent daughters of single mothers, the program improved coping skills and conflict resolution. The Building Our Nation's Daughter program is a promising intervention for Black single mothers with adolescent daughters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of COVID-19 is affecting the lives of millions of families around the world. The current study was carried out in Israel, following the pandemic's initial outbreak and during the resulting enforced quarantine, confining parents and children to their homes. A sample of 141 Israeli mothers with at least one child between the ages of 3 and 12 (M = 6.92, SD = 2.55) participated as volunteers. About half the sample (50.7%) consisted of girls. Most mothers were cohabiting with a spouse (93%). Mothers completed online questionnaires about their perceptions about the health and economic threats of COVID-19, availability of social support, their anxiety symptoms, hostile/coercive and supportive/engaged parenting behavior, and their children's behavior problems. Results showed expected significant associations between the mothers' reports about having little social support, their anxiety symptoms, hostile/coercive and supportive/engaged parenting behavior, and children's externalizing problems. Likewise, expected significant associations were found between mothers' perceptions about the health and economic threats of COVID-19, their anxiety symptoms, hostile/coercive parenting behavior, and children's internalizing and externalizing problems. Importantly, maternal anxiety and hostile/coercive parenting behavior mediated the associations between lack of support, negative perceptions about the health and economic threats of COVID-19, and children's behavior problems. These findings stress the importance of mothers' mental health and parenting behaviors for children's socioemotional adaptation in the context of COVID-19. Implications of the findings for family interventions intended to help parents and children at this time are suggested. Highlights: Maternal anxiety mediates the associations between COVID-19's contextual features and children's behavior problems. Hostile/coercive parenting behavior mediates the associations between COVID-19's contextual features and children's behavior problems. Mothers' mental health and parenting are crucial for children's socioemotional adaptation in the context of COVID-19. Social distancing policies may lead to lack of social support, which is a risk for mothers' anxiety and parenting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adoption of certain behavioral and social routines that organize and structure the home environment may help families navigate the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The current cross-sectional study aimed to assess family routines prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic and examine associations with individual and family well-being. Using a national sample, 300 caregivers of children ages 6-18 were surveyed using Amazon Mechanical Turk platform during the first three months of COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Caregivers reported on family demographics, COVID-19-related stress, engagement in family routines (prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic), stress mindset, self-efficacy, and family resiliency. Overall, families reported engaging in fewer routines during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to prior to the pandemic. COVID-19-related stress was highest in low-income families, families of healthcare workers, and among caregivers who had experienced the COVID-19 virus. Moreover, COVID-19-related stress was negatively related to self-efficacy, positively related to an enhancing stress mindset, and negatively related to family resilience. Engagement in family routines buffered relations between COVID-19-related stress and family resilience, such that COVID-19-related stress was not associated with lower family resilience among families that engaged in high levels of family routines. Results suggest that family routines were challenging to maintain in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, but were associated with better individual and family well-being during this period of acute health, economic, and social stress. Highlights: Families reported engaging in fewer routines during the COVID-19 pandemic, when compared to prior to the pandemic. Families reported significant reductions in child bedtime routines and screen time limitations during the COVID-19 pandemic, when compared to prior to the pandemic. Engagement in family routines buffered the impact of stress on family resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]