Associations of parent-child exercise with family relations and parental mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND: Due to COVID-19 pandemic and behavior restrictions, deterioration of family relations and mental health in child-rearing households has been reported. This study examined whether frequent parent-child exercise (PCE) is associated with improved family relations and parental mental health under COVID-19. METHODS: Using data from the Japan COVID-19 and Society Internet Survey (JACSIS), a nationwide survey conducted in August–September 2020, we extracted respondents with children aged 6 to 18 years (n = 2960). Logistic regression was performed to investigate the association between PCE frequency and changes in family relations and parental mental health. RESULTS: Compared with participants with 6–12-years old children, those with 13–18-years old children reported less PCE. Among participants with 6–12-years old children, compared to those without PCE, those conducted PCE more than once per week reported more improved relation with children and greater happiness (ORs ≥ 1.69), controlling covariates. Those conducted PCE 3 or more times a week also reported decreased loneliness (OR = 0.68). Whereas PCE conducted 1–2 times a month was not associated with any changes in participants with children of 6–12-years old, it was associated with more improved relations with children and spouses in participants with children of 13–18-years old (ORs ≥ 1.98). DISCUSSION: This study is the first to investigate the association of PCE with family relations and parental mental health under COVID-19. Our results suggest that PCE may enhance family relations and parental mental health and the effect may differ according to child's age.