Family caregivers’ symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: associations with health behaviors and family environment

Family caregivers experienced disruptions in normal caregiving routines and withdrawal of caregiving supports during the pandemic. We compared family caregivers with non-caregivers on risk for mood disorder symptoms and examined associations of health behaviors and family well-being with caregivers’ psychological symptoms, using data from the international cross-sectional COVID-19 Family Life Study. Participants included 2026 adults, 412 of whom were primary caregivers to individuals with long-term conditions or disabilities. Caregivers were more likely to report severe anxiety, depression, and stress symptoms compared to non-caregivers. Caregivers who reported more drinking to cope had higher anxiety and stress. More frequent physical activity was also associated with higher stress. Lower parent-child relationship quality was associated with worse psychological outcomes. Results indicate a need for expanded psychological assessment and treatment services for family caregivers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions targeting improvements in health behaviors and parent-child relationships may be beneficial.