Analysis of Parental Stress and Anxiety Symptoms during COVID-19 Pandemic in Khulna City

Introduction:

The COVID-19 pandemic tremendously increases mental health risk among parents due to extreme anxiety and stress. This study focuses on examining the variables related to parental stress and anxiety amid the COVID-19 epidemic.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 118 parents in three wards (18, 27, and 28) of Khulna city, Bangladesh. Parental stress and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic were measured using the GAD-7 and PSS-10 scales. Socioeconomic and demographic data were also collected from households. The association between stress and anxiety and their contributing factors was analyzed using the Chi-square test and binary logistic regression.

Results:

The results showed that 27.5% of parents aged over 40 years and 35.6% of those who faced unemployment during COVID-19 experienced severe stress and anxiety. The regression analysis results confirmed this result. Furthermore, educational status, type of family, marital status, and total household income were found to be significant factors affecting parental stress and anxiety symptoms. The study demonstrated a significant impact of COVID-19 on elderly parents.

Conclusions:

These findings suggest that COVID-19 has significantly impacted elderly parents. Therefore, the study highlights an urgent need for mental health support to assist this vulnerable group in urban areas of Bangladesh.