The COVID-19 pandemic upended contexts for families; relatively little work has studied the influence of rapidly changing contexts on the mental health of parents. We aimed to assess the relation between financial strain and schooling modality with the mental health of adults living with school-age children across the pandemic. Associations between financial strain and online-only schooling with poor mental health increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policies to support parents in the face of external stressors, such as economic instability and school closures, may improve overall population mental health.

Ettman CK, Badillo-Goicoechea E, Stuart EA. Financial strain, schooling modality and mental health of US adults living with children during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Epidemiol Community Health 2024;78:662-668.