The COVID-19 pandemic presents significant risks to population mental health. Despite evidence of detrimental effects for adults, there has been limited examination of the impact of COVID-19 on parents and children specifically. We aim to examine patterns of parent and child (0–18 years) mental health, parent substance use, couple conflict, parenting practices, and family functioning during COVID-19, compared to pre-pandemic data, and to identify families most at risk of poor outcomes according to pre-existing demographic and individual factors, and COVID-19 stressors. Participants were Australian mothers (81%) and fathers aged 18 years and over who were parents of a child 0–18 years (N = 2365). Parents completed an online self-report survey during ‘stage three’ COVID-19 restrictions in April 2020. Data were compared to pre-pandemic data from four Australian population-based cohorts. Compared to pre-pandemic estimates, during the pandemic period parents reported higher rates of parent depression, anxiety, and stress (Cohen’s d = 0.26–0.81, all p < 0.001), higher parenting irritability (d = 0.17–0.46, all p < 0.001), lower family positive expressiveness (d = − 0.18, p < 0.001), and higher alcohol consumption (22% vs 12% drinking four or more days per week, p < 0.001). In multivariable analyses, we consistently found that younger parent age, increased financial deprivation, pre-existing parent and child physical and mental health conditions, COVID-19 psychological and environmental stressors, and housing dissatisfaction were associated with worse parent and child functioning and more strained family relationships. Our data suggest wide-ranging, detrimental family impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic; and support policy actions to assist families with financial supports, leave entitlements, and social housing.

COVID-19 大流行给人们的心理健康带来了重大风险。尽管有证据表明 COVID-19 对成年人有不利影响，但对 COVID-19 对父母和儿童的具体影响的研究还很有限。我们的目标是与大流行前的数据相比，检查 COVID-19 期间父母和儿童（0-18 岁）的心理健康模式、父母药物使用、夫妻冲突、养育方式和家庭功能，并确定面临最高风险的家庭根据先前存在的人口和个人因素以及 COVID-19 压力源，不良结果的情况。参与者是澳大利亚母亲 (81%) 和 18 岁及以上的父亲，他们是 0-18 岁孩子的父母 ( N = 2365)。 2020 年 4 月，家长们在 COVID-19 限制“第三阶段”期间完成了一项在线自我报告调查。数据与四个澳大利亚人口队列的大流行前数据进行了比较。与大流行前的估计相比，在大流行期间，父母报告的父母抑郁、焦虑和压力的发生率更高（Cohen's d = 0.26-0.81，所有p < 0.001），更高的育儿烦躁性（ d = 0.17-0.46，所有p < 0.001），较低的家庭积极表达度（ d = − 0.18， p < 0.001），以及较高的饮酒量（22% vs 12% 每周饮酒四天或以上， p < 0.001）。在多变量分析中，我们一致发现，父母年龄较小、经济贫困加剧、父母和儿童原有的身心健康状况、COVID-19 心理和环境压力源以及住房不满意与父母和儿童的功能较差和压力更大有关家庭关系。 我们的数据表明，COVID-19 大流行对家庭产生了广泛的、有害的影响；支持政策行动，为家庭提供经济支持、休假权利和社会住房。