Yui Yamaoka1, Mariko Hosozawa2, Makiko Sampei3, Naomi Sawada4, Yusuke Okubo5, Kyoko Tanaka6, Arisa Yamaguchi6, Mayumi Hangai7, Naho Morisaki3. 1. Department of Global Health Promotion, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan. Electronic address: yamaoka.hlth@tmd.ac.jp. 2. Bureau of International Health Cooperation, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan. 3. Department of Social Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan. 4. Department of Social Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Health Communication, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan. 5. Department of Social Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, CA, USA. 6. Department of Psychosocial Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan. 7. Department of Social Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the lives of children and parents, raising concerns about child maltreatment. OBJECTIVE: We examined the prevalence of abusive parenting behavior during the pandemic of the COVID-19 and its relations with physical, psychological, and social factors and positive parenting behavior. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: An online survey was performed during the COVID-19 state of emergency in Japan. Participants were 5344 parents of children aged 0-17 years. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous online survey using multiple platforms, including websites of child-related organizations and social networking services (SNS). Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with abusive behavior. RESULTS: One-fifth of parents reported abusive behaviors, whereas over 80% of parents reported positive parenting behaviors (e.g., empathizing with a child). Abusive parenting behaviors were associated with longer screen time (6+ hours per day: OR, 1.44; 95%CI, 1.05-1.98), poor maternal mental health (K6 = 13+: OR, 2.23; 95%CI, 1.71-2.89), and the occurrence of domestic violence (OR, 4.54; 95%CI, 3.47-5.95). Positive parenting behaviors, especially showing empathy, were associated with lower risks of abusive behaviors (OR, 0.51: 95%CI, 0.39-0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Positive parenting behavior is essential to the prevention of child maltreatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.
BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed the lives of children and parents, raising concerns about child maltreatment. OBJECTIVE: We examined the prevalence of abusive parenting behavior during the pandemic of the COVID-19 and its relations with physical, psychological, and social factors and positive parenting behavior. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: An online survey was performed during the COVID-19 state of emergency in Japan. Participants were 5344 parents of children aged 0-17 years. METHODS: We conducted an anonymous online survey using multiple platforms, including websites of child-related organizations and social networking services (SNS). Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with abusive behavior. RESULTS: One-fifth of parents reported abusive behaviors, whereas over 80% of parents reported positive parenting behaviors (e.g., empathizing with a child). Abusive parenting behaviors were associated with longer screen time (6+ hours per day: OR, 1.44; 95%CI, 1.05-1.98), poor maternal mental health (K6 = 13+: OR, 2.23; 95%CI, 1.71-2.89), and the occurrence of domestic violence (OR, 4.54; 95%CI, 3.47-5.95). Positive parenting behaviors, especially showing empathy, were associated with lower risks of abusive behaviors (OR, 0.51: 95%CI, 0.39-0.66). CONCLUSIONS: Positive parenting behavior is essential to the prevention of child maltreatment during the COVID-19 pandemic.