Raw data for manuscript: Parenting strategies to support adolescent mental health during a pandemic: A Delphi consensus study

This is the raw data file to accompany the abovementioned manuscript, first submitted to BJPsych Open in May 2024.

Abstract

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has had ongoing detrimental effects on mental health, especially for young people. Parents can play a crucial role in the prevention of youth depression and anxiety disorders. While parenting guidelines for reducing the risk of adolescent depression and anxiety have been developed, they needed to be adapted for the unique challenges brought by a pandemic.

Method:

This study employed the Delphi methodology to establish expert consensus on parenting strategies that are important for preventing adolescent depression or anxiety disorders during a pandemic. 304 recommendations for parents were identified through a literature search and panel recommendations. These were presented to an international panel of 35 experts in parenting and youth mental health, who rated the importance of these recommendations in preventing adolescent depression and anxiety over three survey rounds.

Results:

167 parenting strategies were endorsed as important or essential in reducing adolescents' risk of developing depression or anxiety disorders during a pandemic by >90% of the panel. These strategies were written into a set of specific and actionable guidelines for parenting through the pandemic, and made freely available online for parents.

Conclusions:

This study adapted an original set of parenting guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic, supported by research evidence and/or international experts, which can be promoted in Western English-speaking communities to help parents protect their adolescents from depression and anxiety disorders during pandemic and post-pandemic times.