Collaborative ECHO research led by Kaja LeWinn, ScD of the University of California, San Francisco and Lisa Jacobson, ScD of Johns Hopkins University investigates the influence of a caregiver’s educational background and their child’s age on the experiences of children and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research, titled “Sociodemographic Differences in COVID-19 Pandemic Experiences Among Families in the United States,” is published in JAMA Network Open.
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting public health measures presented unique challenges for families, frequently influenced by factors such as income and caregiver educational background as well as their children’s ages during the pandemic. Using the ECHO Program’s existing research sites and COVID-19 questionnaires, researchers were able to observe the social and economic factors that were affecting families and children at the height of the pandemic while many population-based studies were put on hold. The study analyzed data from 14,646 ECHO children and 13,644 ECHO caregivers between April 2020 and March 2022.
Researchers found that caregivers with less than a high school education were more likely to report difficulties getting COVID-19 tests for their children, were less likely to work remotely, and reported financial concerns and access to necessities such as food as top sources of stress. Caregivers with a master’s degree or higher, on the other hand, were more likely to name social distancing as the top source of their pandemic stress and were more likely to have the option to work remotely.
Caregivers with children between the ages of 1 and 5 years reported the least support from school systems, the most difficulty finding childcare, and fewer remote learning options. They were also more likely to have healthcare appointments canceled due to COVID-19 concerns and were most concerned about how the pandemic would affect their ability to work.
This study underscores the importance of understanding how children and caregivers from various backgrounds experienced the COVID-19 pandemic. This understanding can help uncover social inequities that could worsen conditions for some populations during future public health crises and can be used to create safeguards to protect vulnerable populations.
“Programs and policies that provide financial assistance and mandate more work flexibility for families of lower socioeconomic status during times of crisis may help mitigate their burdens,” said study author Dr. LeWinn. “Our findings also suggest that families with young children may need more support related to childcare and work flexibility, especially when school disruptions are involved.”
Future research may look into the long-term effects these pandemic challenges may have on children in the ECHO Program over time.