Exploring American Parents’ Lived Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Ramifications for Well-Being

Objective The objective of this study was to document the direct impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parents and families in the United States. Methods Parents’ experiences during the pandemic were examined using an online survey (N = 564) collected during May and June 2020. Results Parents reported experiencing a high frequency of COVID-19-related events (e.g., job loss and health concerns) and impact on their lives. Parents’ experiences with COVID-19, as well as self-reported perceived increase in home labor, experiences with assisting children with remote schooling, and work-life conflict were all significantly associated with higher levels of parental role overload. COVID-19-related events and impact, as well as parental role overload, significantly predicted parents’ anxiety and depression, even after controlling for demographic factors. Conclusions The findings suggest the importance of providing support for parents and families through direct services and public policy changes.