Abstract:

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between gender role attitudes, depression/anxiety symptoms, and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic restrictions in families with school-aged children. Methods: Couples with school-aged children were included in the study. Couples who were fully restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic (group 1) are compared with couples who were partially restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic (group 2). Both parents were assessed by Gender Role Attitudes scale (GRAS), Depression Anxiety and Stress scale-21 (DASS), and Life Events Checklist. Revised Child Anxiety and Depression scale-Parent Version (RCADS-P) was completed by mothers for children’s assessment. Results: In group 1, mother’s GRAS scores were 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, fathers’ GRAS scores were positively correlated with fathers’ 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. Conclusion: This study shows that while maternal gender-type attitudes were associated with psychiatric symptoms in mothers, fathers, and children, the relationship between paternal gender role attitudes and mental health is controversial. In addition, the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic impact mental symptoms related to gender role attitudes.

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