Objective: The purpose of this study was to (1) examine the perceptions of life and
family relationships of parents caring for school-aged children over the past year and (2)
clarify the associations between parents’ life perceptions and family relationships.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the Internet from May to June
2021. The target demographic for this study was parents of children who were elementary
school students at the time of the national temporary closure following the declaration of
the state of emergency on April 16, 2020. The survey items were the perception of the
parents’ lives, their relationships with their children and with their spouse/partner during
the COVID-19 pandemic.
Results: The number of respondents was 214 (response rate: 3 8.8%). The parents who had
experienced telecommuting due to COVID-19 accounted for 23.4%. Although there was a
slight increase in the household chores of fathers and children during the school closure
period, mothers were responsible for more than 70% of the household chores throughout
all periods. More than 40% of parents felt that physical fatigue and financial stress had
increased, and 70% of parents felt that mental stress had increased. Of the parents in the
study, 42.1% felt that their family relationship had become better as a result of COVID-19,
and the associated factor was that they had gone through various experiences with their
children and partners.
Conclusion: This study suggests that if we can recognize our family experiences as
positive despite the stress, we have an opportunity to grow as families even in difficult
situations.
Parents’ perceptions of life and family relationships among school-aged children during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hokuriku area
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