Children of parents with mental illness in the COVID-19pandemic: A cross-sectional survey in China

Zhou, Tianhang; Chen, Weiran; Liu, Xiujun; Wu, Tingfang; Wen, Liping; Yang, Xianmei; Hou, Zongyin; Chen, Bingbing; Zhang, Tao; Zhang, Changchun; Xie, Chenmei; Zhou, Xin; Wang, Liewei; Hua, Juan; Tang, Qi; Zhao, Miaomiao; Hong, Xu; Liu, Wenhui; Du, Chunyu; Li, Yi; Ma, Hong; Guan, Lili; Yu, Xin

OBJECTIVE: Children of parents with mental illness (COPMI) are vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study aimed to assess the psychosocial impacts of the pandemic and identify potential factors influencing their mental health. METHOD: 665 COPMI from six sites including Wuhan in China were enrolled. COPMI's mental health and the impacts of COVID-19 were assessed by an online survey. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to examine the association between impact factors and participants’ mental health. RESULTS: 16.1 % of participants were in abnormal range of mental health, with interpersonal relationship being the most common problem. 48.6 % of participants reported quite worried about the epidemic. All aspects of adverse effects of COVID-19 were more prevalent among COPMI in Wuhan than in other sites. Concerns about COVID-19 (OR = 1.7, p = 0.02), decreased family income (OR = 2.0, p = 0.02), being physically abused (OR = 2.1, p = 0.04), witnessing family members being physically abused (OR = 2.0, p = 0.03), and needs for promoting family members' mental health (OR = 2.2, p < 0.01) were independent risk factors for participants' mental health. CONCLUSION: The findings raise our awareness of the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on the wellbeing of COPMI. Multifaceted psychosocial support for COPMI is urgently needed to support them live through the pandemic.