Abstract

Introduction

The changes accompanying the transition to parenthood, joined by the fears aroused by the COVID-19 pandemic, may lead to high levels of parental anxieties and stress, particularly among parents of young infants. This study, conducted in the midst of the crisis, explores the level of COVID-19-related anxieties and parenting stress of Israeli parents in their first year of parenthood.

Methods

First-time mothers (n = 469) and fathers (n = 137), aged 21-50, completed self-report questionnaires in April, 2020. They were divided into two groups: parents of younger infants (aged 3-6 months); parents of older infants (aged 7-12 months).

Results

The levels of all COVID-19-related anxieties were quite high, with the greatest concern aroused by public transportation and public places, followed by concerns over the possible infection of family members and the infant, going for infant check-ups, getting the virus themselves, and the health of the infant. In both groups, mothers reported higher COVID-19-related anxieties than fathers. Fathers of older infants reported higher parenting stress than mothers.

Discussion

The results highlight the need to be attentive to the double stress of new parents in the first year of parenthood in a time of crisis, and to the potentially greater vulnerability of fathers of older infants.

中文翻译：

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初为人母的第一年为人父母时与 COVID-19 相关的焦虑和养育压力

摘要

介绍

伴随着向父母过渡的变化，加上 COVID-19 大流行引起的恐惧，可能导致父母高度焦虑和压力，尤其是在年幼婴儿的父母中。这项在危机中进行的研究探讨了以色列父母在为人父母的第一年中与 COVID-19 相关的焦虑程度和养育压力。

方法

2020 年 4 月，21-50 岁的初为人母的母亲 (n = 469) 和初为人父的人 (n = 137) 完成了自我报告问卷调查。他们分为两组：年幼婴儿（3-6 个月）的父母; 大婴儿（7-12 个月大）的父母。

结果

所有与 COVID-19 相关的焦虑水平都很高，其中公共交通和公共场所引起的担忧最大，其次是担心家庭成员和婴儿可能被感染、去婴儿检查、感染病毒自己，以及婴儿的健康。在两组中，母亲报告的与 COVID-19 相关的焦虑高于父亲。大婴儿的父亲报告的养育压力高于母亲。

讨论

结果突出表明，在危机时期，需要注意新父母在为人父母的第一年所面临的双重压力，以及大婴儿的父亲可能面临的更大的脆弱性。