New Research Indicates Covid Stress Has Disproportionate Impact on One Sibling in Families with Multiple Children

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The stress stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly affected families, particularly those with multiple children. This new research from the University of Waterloo highlights that in such households, one sibling often experiences more stress than their siblings, creating a challenging cycle that can negatively affect both the child and their caregivers.

The pressures of remote learning, balancing work responsibilities, and prolonged social isolation have led to increased stress for many families. For parents with two or more children, managing these stressors can be particularly overwhelming. The study reveals that the sibling facing the most significant mental health difficulties tends to elicit more negative reactions from parents, which in turn contributes to a cycle of stress, anxiety, and frustration.

Dylan Carter, the lead researcher and professor of clinical psychology, noted, “Our findings indicate that parents are generally more reactive and less supportive towards the child struggling the most.” This dynamic can exacerbate the mental health challenges faced by that child, leading to a detrimental feedback loop.

The research analyzed responses from over 500 caregivers and 1,000 siblings, focusing on how the stress of the pandemic impacted family dynamics over a two-month period. “While many studies have documented the mental health issues arising from the pandemic, this work provides insight into how these challenges extend beyond the individual to affect the entire family,” Carter explained.

The study suggests that addressing these issues may require a family-centered approach to therapy. “To understand children’s mental health during the pandemic, it’s crucial to consider the family system as a whole,” Carter added. This comprehensive approach would take into account the dynamics between caregivers, siblings, and the overall family environment.

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In summary, the study from the University of Waterloo emphasizes that the stress of Covid-19 has a disproportionate impact on one sibling in multi-child families, creating a challenging feedback loop between the child’s mental health and parental responses. This underscores the need for family-focused interventions to address these issues holistically.

Keyphrase: Covid stress sibling impact

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