Parent-child conflicts, and punishment of children during the three-week COVID-19 lockdown in Ghana

The study situates the COVID-19 lockdowns as unprecedented global public health measures with substantial social consequences, including widespread school closures and prolonged home confinement for children. Lockdowns produced both benefits (reduced transmission, increased family time) and harms (financial hardship, overcrowding, loss of privacy, curtailed activities), heightening emotional and psychological stress in families and precipitating conflicts between parents and children. Prior reports suggested increased parental punishment during lockdowns. In Ghana’s three-week lockdown, episodes of parent-child conflict and child punishment were noted, yet systematic evidence was limited. The study addressed four questions: (i) whether children experienced conflict with parents during the lockdown; (ii) what issues led to conflicts; (iii) whether children were punished during the lockdown; and (iv) whether punishment increased during lockdown compared to pre-lockdown.

The paper integrates relevant literature indicating that COVID-19 restrictions intensified stressors for families, particularly low-income and economically vulnerable households, leading to mental health challenges and disruptions in family functioning (Adegboye et al., Alonzo et al., Curtin et al., Rosenthal et al.). School closures and stay-at-home orders resulted in overcrowding, loss of privacy, and limited access to study spaces (Save the Children; National Housing Federation). Studies reported increased parent-child conflict and the use of punishment as parents coped with frustration and financial stress (UNICEF; University of Michigan; Lee & Ward). Developmental literature suggests conflict with parents increases as children age and seek autonomy (Blos; Branje). Evidence from Ghana and other settings highlighted income loss, unemployment, and poverty during the pandemic (Bukari et al.; Karpati et al.). Prior research also documented rises in domestic violence and child maltreatment during lockdown (Lawson et al.; UNICEF).

Setting: Ghana, with data collected in Accra and Tema—identified national COVID-19 hotspots in the Greater Accra Region. Design: Cross-sectional, mixed-method study conducted June–November 2020, using an online semi-structured questionnaire (SSQ) for quantitative data and key informant interviews (KII) via phone for qualitative data, necessitated by COVID-19 restrictions. Sampling and recruitment: A contact list of 640 parents/guardians in Accra and Tema was compiled from a Department of Children directory. Parents were informed of the study; those consenting permitted their children (ages 10–17) to participate and could invite other eligible families. Inclusion criteria: parental consent, child assent, age 10–17, residence in Accra or Tema, and access to an internet-enabled device. In total, 385 children (188 boys, 197 girls; ages 10–17) completed the online survey. For qualitative interviews, 59 children (one from each of 59 residential areas across the two cities) were selected to ensure diverse neighborhood perspectives. Instruments and measures: The SSQ captured sociodemographics (sex, age grouped 10–12, 13–15, 16–17; education: primary, JHS, secondary/vocational/higher; religion) and asked: (a) whether the child had conflicts with parents during the three-week lockdown (Yes/No); (b) whether the child was punished during lockdown (Yes/No); (c) open-ended reasons for conflicts and for punishment. KIIs asked parallel questions and additionally probed COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Definitions were provided for key terms (lockdown, hotspots, family, parent-child conflict, child punishment). Data collection: Consent was obtained electronically; children assented by selecting an online consent statement. The survey was administered on Kobo Toolbox; completion window extended from two to four weeks due to low initial response. Parents could assist children if needed. KIIs were conducted by phone. Data analysis: Quantitative data analyzed in SPSS v25 using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square tests to assess associations between sociodemographics and (i) conflict and (ii) punishment (alpha 0.05). Qualitative data were thematically analyzed: transcripts were read, coded, and grouped into themes. Trustworthiness criteria (credibility, dependability, confirmability, transferability) were operationalized via independent analyses by authors, peer feedback, documentation of analytic decisions, derivation of findings from participant transcripts, and thick description.

Sample characteristics: 51.2% female; age groups: 10–12 (17.9%), 13–15 (35.1%), 16–17 (47.0%); education: primary (18.2%), JHS (25.7%), secondary/vocational/higher (56.1%); Christians 87.5%, Muslims 9.9%. Parent-child conflict prevalence and correlates: 57.7% reported conflicts with parents during the three-week lockdown. Sex was not significantly associated with conflict (male 60.1% vs female 55.3%; χ²=0.90, p=0.343). Age was significantly associated (χ²=7.92, p=0.019): conflicts increased with age—10–12 (46.4%), 13–15 (54.1%), 16–17 (64.6%). Education was not significant (χ²=1.37, p=0.503). Issues leading to conflicts (quantitative, multiple responses): spending too much time on phone (61.8%); on computer/Internet (41.4%); not completing schoolwork on time/regular studies (39.5%); disagreements over meals (36.8%); not performing chores suitably (34.5%); TV program/time disagreements (28.2%); haircut/hairstyle (18.2%); playing loud/noisy music (11.8%). Qualitative themes on conflicts: (a) stress and arguments stemming from prolonged cohabitation and household congestion; (b) parents’ invasion of children’s privacy due to limited space and constant presence at home. Punishment prevalence and correlates: 16.9% reported being punished during lockdown (65/385). No significant association by sex (χ²=2.90, p=0.088), age (χ²=0.53, p=0.770), or education (χ²=4.83, p=0.090). By group: punished—male 20.2%, female 13.7%; ages 10–12 (18.8%), 13–15 (17.8%), 16–17 (15.5%); education: JHS highest (23.2%), secondary/vocational/higher lowest (13.4%). Reasons for punishment (quantitative): not performing chores suitably/regularly/timely (29.2%); being disrespectful/disobedient/lying (27.7%); going out without permission/roaming (21.5%); spending too much time on leisure/entertainment/phone (7.7%); failure to study regularly (7.7%); subjecting younger sibling to physical violence (4.6%). Change vs pre-lockdown (qualitative): children perceived that punishment increased during lockdown, with harsher or more frequent responses to minor infractions, often linked to parental financial stress and household tensions.

Findings indicate that more than half of children experienced parent-child conflict during Ghana’s three-week lockdown, with conflicts significantly more prevalent among older adolescents, aligning with developmental perspectives that conflicts escalate as adolescents seek autonomy. The main conflict triggers centered on screen time, study routines, chores, and household rules (meals, TV, noise, hairstyle), reflecting intensified monitoring and resource competition during confinement. Qualitative accounts linked conflicts to household overcrowding and perceived invasions of privacy, underscoring how constrained living spaces exacerbate tensions. Punishment affected roughly one in six children, with no significant sociodemographic differences; qualitative evidence suggests punishment was more frequent during lockdown compared to pre-lockdown, potentially reflecting parental stress due to financial strain and disruption of routines. The results corroborate international findings of heightened family stress, conflict, and disciplinary practices during COVID-19 restrictions, emphasizing the need for psychosocial and family support—especially for financially constrained households—to mitigate risks of excessive punishment and potential child maltreatment in future lockdown scenarios.

The study documents substantial parent-child conflict and notable levels of punishment of children during Ghana’s three-week COVID-19 lockdown, identifying specific conflict drivers within households and highlighting older adolescents’ higher conflict prevalence. Qualitative evidence suggests an increase in punitive responses during lockdown, likely linked to parental stress and financial pressures. The findings contribute empirical evidence to inform public health education on managing family stress and parental anger during crises. The authors recommend that, in any future lockdowns, comprehensive family support and psychosocial interventions be implemented to reduce excessive punishment and prevent potential abuse, with national child-focused agencies (e.g., MoGCSP) leading such initiatives. Future research should use more robust measures of conflict, include children without internet access for representativeness, and consider longitudinal designs to assess causal pathways.

- Cross-sectional design limits causal inference. - Sample restricted to children with access to internet-enabled devices and parental consent; excludes children without such access, limiting generalizability. - Parent-child conflict measured by a single yes/no item, a non-robust measure. - Potential response bias due to possible parental assistance during online survey completion and phone interviews. - Study focused on Accra and Tema hotspots; findings may not generalize to all settings in Ghana.