The Impact of Lockdowns during the Corona Pandemic on Parental Aggressiveness Behaviors

Abstract

Objectives: Quarantine lockdown enforced for a long duration of time during the Corona pandemic added strain upon families; the educational system has been closed, children were forced to remain at home, and many parents lost their jobs. The aim of the study was to find out the impact of lockdown periods on middle-class parent-child relationship in terms of parental aggressive behaviors.

Method: The convenient sample consisted of 236 parents to children (age ranged from 3- to 16). Recruitment was conducted through social media. Following signing a consent form, participants filled a self-report anonymous questionnaire that included demographics, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, The Conflict Tactics Scale pre and during lockdown periods, and, The Parent Strain Scale during lockdown period.

Results: Findings indicated an increase of depression level among parents who had higher levels of depression pre- Corona. Additionally, secular parents younger than 36 years old, who lost their jobs, had more than two children, and, had higher levels of depression, showed increase in emotional aggressive tactics behaviors towards their children.