Gender role Covid

Background: In this study, relationships between gender role attitudes, depression/anxiety symptoms, and COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in families with school-aged children were investigated.
Method: Couples with school-aged children were included in the study. Couples who were more affected by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions (Group 1) is compared with couples who were less affected by COVID-19 pandemic restrictions (Group 2). Both parents were assessed by Gender Role Attitudes Scale (GRAS), Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS), Life Events Checklist (LEC). Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale-Parent Version (RCADS-P) were completed by mothers for children’s assessment.
Results: In group 1, mother’s GRAS scores are negatively correlated with mother’s DASS Depression (r:-0.598, p=0.004) and RCADS-P scores (r:-0.69, p=0.005). In group 2, father’s GRAS scores are positively correlated with father’s DASS depression (r:0.56, p=0.006), stress (r:0.62, p=0.002) and anxiety (r:0.61, p=0.002). In addition, mother’s GRAS scores are a negative determinant of mother’s DASS depression, father’s DASS total and RCADS-P scores. Father’s GRAS scores are a positive predictor of father’s DASS total.
Conclusions: This study shows that while maternal gender typed attitudes were associated with psychiatric symptoms in mother, father and child; relationship between paternal gender role attitudes and mental health is controversial. In addition, the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic have an impact on mental symptoms related to gender role attitudes.