Finnish first-time parents' support and psychological distress during the covid-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study

Objective: This study examined changes in the sufficiency of emotional and practical social support from relatives and friends for first-time parents between 6 and 18 months postpartum and its association with psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Background: While the positive impact of social support on parental well-being is well documented in cross-sectional studies, longitudinal research about sources and types of support and its effects on psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic is limited. Method: Using longitudinal survey data from 287 Finnish first-time parents during the pandemic, we employed multiple regression analysis to examine how changes in the sufficiency of emotional and practical support were associated with psychological distress. To investigate the nature of support further, open-ended survey responses were analyzed thematically. Results: We found changes and stability in the sufficiency of support from relatives and friends. Stable sufficient or improved support was associated with lower psychological distress, whereas insufficient or weakening support was predominantly associated with higher psychological distress. Based on thematic analysis, we found that those with weak support networks struggled to access practical support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The findings from both quantitative and qualitative analyses highlight the polarization of perceived sufficient social support. Rather than the source of support, the experience of sufficiency is crucial for parents' well-being. Implications: Strengthening societal actions, such as developing support networks and providing guidance proactively, is essential to improving parental well-being during crises.