Retrospective Memories of Parents about Behaviour of Their Children During Lockdown

Abstract

Introduction

The trace in the memory left by the COVID-19 pandemic is no less important than the immediate reaction on it.

Objectives

The objective was to study the parent-child relations during the strict lockdown (April 2020) on the material of parental memories focusing on emotional reactions and behaviour of children.

Methods

The material was collected in July-August 2020 in a small city in south Russia. The group included 88 parents (average age 34±5). 42 parents had an only child, 38 two children and 7 from 3 to 5 children. Methods used in the study included questionary, half-structured interview.

Results

61% estimated the lockdown as “very stressful and difficult.” Vast majority (86 parents) said that the situation was constantly discussed in the family, 2 parents demonstrated the reaction of denial saying that the situation was never discussed at home. Respondents mentioned “increase of anxiety,” “insecurity,” “conflicts within the family,” etc. In most cases, parents did not succeed to provide a constructive and balancing explanation, which would answer the child’s wish to understand the situation. Describing the children’s reactions on the changes in the usual way of life, parents stressed anxious (15%) and explosive-angry reactions (10%), with prevalence of apathy, tendency to “stick to” the adult (45%). 30% of parents did not notice any changes in their children’s behaviour.

Conclusions

Results demonstrate the need in clinical-psychological solutions, which would be designed for wide use (“collective patient”) and aimed at explanation of the situation of pandemic to the children of different ages, belonging to different social groups.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.