Prevalence of anxiety and depression in parents caring for children in departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Children's Clinical University Hospital, during COVID-19 pandemic

The aim was to examine the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms in parents, who care for hospitalized children in departments of Neurology and Psychiatry in Children's Clinical University Hospital (CCUH). Participants: parents who cared for children under the age of 7 in departments of Neurology (12.08.–10.09.2020.) and Psychiatry (02.09.-30.09.2020.) in CCUH were offered to participate in the study, to fill-in questionnaire. Depression symptoms were evaluated using PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using GAD-7 (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item) scales, both adapted in Latvian and Russian languages. All parents (including those who refused to fill in questionnaires) were offered handouts on possibilities where to receive mental health support. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 26 statistics (Spearman correlation), MS Excel. In total 26 parents completed the study. Average age 35.3 years, 96.1% were female. Clinically significant depression was found in 5 parents (19.3%), clinically significant anxiety was found in 4 parents (15.4%), 3 of these parents had both – clinically significant depression and anxiety. Statistically significant correlation between depression and lack of support was found (p=0.031). No statistically significant correlations were found between depression and duration of child’s illness (p=0.686), nights spent in hospital (p=0.334), child’s night sleep (p=0.112), fear of COVID-19 (p=0.342), parent's age (p=0.577), parent’s employment status (p=0.411). There were no statistically significant correlations between anxiety and lack of support (p=0.241), duration of child’s illness (p=0.440), nights spent in hospital (p=0.103), child’s night sleep (p=0.296), fear of COVID-19 (p=0.141), parent's age (p=0.469), parent’s employment status (p=0.241). 1 parent (female, 35) refused to participate in the study. Depression and anxiety is common in hospitalized children parents, more prevalent in parents lacking appropriate support. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, fewer parents were in the wards, further research is needed with larger samples, focusing on mental health support.