A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Prepandemic to Early COVID-19 : Changes in Couple Functioning and Links With Harsh Parenting
Authors: Lindblom Jallu, Korja Riikka, Karlsson Hasse, Karlsson Linnea, Karukivi Max, Pajulo Marjukka, Nolvi Saara
Publisher: American Psychological Association
Publication year: 2024
Journal: Journal of Family Psychology
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF FAMILY PSYCHOLOGY
Journal acronym: J FAM PSYCHOL
Volume: 38
Issue: 4
First page : 536
Last page: 547
Number of pages: 13
ISSN: 0893-3200
eISSN: 1939-1293
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0001184
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0001184
Abstract
Research has revealed a rise in family relationship problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among couples with young children. However, longitudinal studies spanning the prepandemic and pandemic periods are rare. In this study, we examined changes in couple functioning during these periods. Moreover, we investigated the mediation and moderation effects of couple functioning on the association between COVID-19 stressors and harsh parenting. A total of 545 mothers (mean age 38 years, range 23-48 years) completed questionnaires on couple functioning during the prepandemic (2016-2020) and early pandemic (May-June 2020) periods. During the early pandemic, they also reported exposure to COVID-19 stressors and engaging in harsh parenting (e.g., conflicts and maltreatment). We found no overall deterioration in couple functioning during the early pandemic. Furthermore, COVID-19 stressors did not explain variance in couple functioning changes or correlate with harsh parenting. However, as hypothesized, couple functioning moderated the effect of COVID-19 stressors on harsh parenting. Only for couples with low prepandemic functioning was exposure to COVID-19 stressors associated with harsh parenting. In conclusion, our findings provided no evidence of COVID-19's detrimental effects on couples during the early pandemic. Instead, well-functioning couple relationships appear to mitigate the impact of pandemic stressors on parenting.
Research has revealed a rise in family relationship problems during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially among couples with young children. However, longitudinal studies spanning the prepandemic and pandemic periods are rare. In this study, we examined changes in couple functioning during these periods. Moreover, we investigated the mediation and moderation effects of couple functioning on the association between COVID-19 stressors and harsh parenting. A total of 545 mothers (mean age 38 years, range 23-48 years) completed questionnaires on couple functioning during the prepandemic (2016-2020) and early pandemic (May-June 2020) periods. During the early pandemic, they also reported exposure to COVID-19 stressors and engaging in harsh parenting (e.g., conflicts and maltreatment). We found no overall deterioration in couple functioning during the early pandemic. Furthermore, COVID-19 stressors did not explain variance in couple functioning changes or correlate with harsh parenting. However, as hypothesized, couple functioning moderated the effect of COVID-19 stressors on harsh parenting. Only for couples with low prepandemic functioning was exposure to COVID-19 stressors associated with harsh parenting. In conclusion, our findings provided no evidence of COVID-19's detrimental effects on couples during the early pandemic. Instead, well-functioning couple relationships appear to mitigate the impact of pandemic stressors on parenting.
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