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McMaster University researchers have initiated a survey to help them understand what families with children are experiencing in the context of COVID-19, and what services families and caregivers may need.
OntarioParentSurvey.ca launched May 5. The study’s general themes focus on the well-being and health of children and caregivers, family stressors, family relations, and how COVID-19 has specifically had an impact on individuals.
The online questionnaire explores more specifically overall family functioning, couples’ relationship quality, caregiver-child relationship quality, parenting and discipline strategies, caregiver and child mental health, and COVID-19-specific adversity.
Canadians are experiencing some form of prolonged isolation alongside widespread economic hardship due to public health measures, such as physical distancing and staying-in-place policies enacted across all government levels. The Ontario Parent Survey aims to investigate the impact of COVID-19 and its associated restrictions on families across the province.
“We need a better understanding of how the current lockdown measures are affecting families and children aged zero to 17 years,” said lead researcher Andrea Gonzalez, associate professor and Tier II Canada Research Chair in Family Health and Preventive Interventions.
The evidence generated from the study will be used to help develop pragmatic and methodological strategies required for implementing online interventions in humanitarian settings like COVID-19 and possible future pandemics.
Started May 5 and running for six weeks after, parents and caregivers can participate in the survey by going to www.OntarioParentSurvey.ca