Post-Pandemic Mental Health Challenges for Children of Frontline Healthcare Workers

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges to frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) and their families, leading to significant mental health impacts that researchers are only beginning to understand. Even after the peak of the pandemic, many HCWs experience high levels of stress, burnout, and anxiety, which can ripple into their family dynamics. Their children, like those of military and first responder families, faced unique challenges, including disrupted routines, prolonged absences of their parents, and fears about their parents safety. These stressors have been linked to increased anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances in children of HCWs compared to peers whose parents are not in the healthcare field. While immediate effects have been studied, the long-term mental health needs of these children remain unclear. This study will investigate the long-term mental health impacts of the pandemic on children of HCWs. I predict that children with HCW parents will exhibit higher levels of anxiety, depression, and behavioural challenges than children of non-HCW parents. A sample of 100 children aged 18-18, 50 with HCW parents and 50 with parents in other professions, will complete questionnaires assessing their levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. Parents will also report on their children behaviours. Comparisons will determine whether children of HCWs show greater mental health challenges. The findings of this study aim to shed light on the ongoing mental health needs of HCW families post-pandemic. By identifying risks and areas for support, this research seeks to guide interventions that promote resilience and well-being for children and families in similar high-stress professions.