U.S. Parents’ Reports of Assisting Their Children with Distance Learning during COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19 has caused increased stress among U.S. adults, with many reporting concerns assisting their children with distance learning due to school closures. This study surveyed U.S. parents–most of whom were middle-aged, White, affluent, and female–to learn what types of distance learning activities parents engaged in with their children during COVID-19; whether these types of activities varied by the child’s age; and whether there was an association between engaging in these activities and stress. Most parents engaged in Monitoring, Teaching or Technology support activities with their children. Although these activities varied by child’s age, parents who reported engaging in any distance learning activity reported increased stress.

Keywords

• coronavirus
• distance learning
• stress
• education