By April 2020, lockdowns impacting over three billion people in 90+ countries aimed to curb COVID-19 transmission. While lockdowns fostered family unity in some cases, they negatively impacted low-income families globally, increasing stress and conflicts. Children faced extended home confinement, limited access to social activities and education, and increased family pressures. The resulting stress led to increased parent-child conflicts and parental punishment. Prior studies have shown a correlation between lockdowns and increased parental punishment. In Ghana, while parent-child conflicts and punishment during the three-week lockdown were evident, a lack of comprehensive data hindered a complete understanding of the situation. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating (i) the prevalence of parent-child conflicts during the lockdown; (ii) the issues causing these conflicts; (iii) the incidence of parental punishment; and (iv) whether punishment increased compared to the pre-lockdown period.

Existing literature demonstrates that COVID-19 lockdowns globally exacerbated existing inequalities, particularly impacting low-income families and vulnerable households. Studies in Nigeria and South Africa highlight the negative socioeconomic consequences, including job loss and increased poverty, leading to heightened stress within families. This economic hardship has been linked to an increase in parental punishment, as stressed parents struggle to cope with confinement and financial strain. Studies have revealed a rise in domestic violence and child abuse worldwide during lockdowns, with parents punishing children even for minor infractions, often as a release for their own pent-up frustration and stress. These findings emphasize the need for research focusing on the specific experiences of children during lockdowns and appropriate interventions.

This cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted in Accra and Tema, Ghana, two COVID-19 hotspots. Data were collected from 385 children (aged 10-17) through online semi-structured questionnaires (SSQ) and phone interviews (PI) with 59 additional children. The online survey was made accessible to children with parental consent, while maintaining ethical standards and addressing the limitations imposed by COVID-19 restrictions. The SSQ gathered socio-demographic information and explored children's experiences with parental conflict, reasons for such conflicts, and incidence of punishment. The PI utilized a similar structure, providing additional qualitative data and context. The sample comprised of 188 boys and 197 girls with varying ages and educational levels. Quantitative data analysis involved descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-square tests to examine the association between socio-demographic characteristics and parent-child conflict and punishment. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. Trustworthiness was ensured by employing strategies including independent data analysis, peer review, and a detailed description of the research process.

The study revealed that 57.7% of children experienced conflicts with their parents during the lockdown. While a slightly higher percentage of males (60.1%) reported conflicts compared to females (55.3%), this difference was not statistically significant. However, there was a statistically significant association between age and conflict (p=0.019), with older children (16-17 years) reporting significantly more conflicts (64.6%) than younger children (10-12 years, 46.4%). Children in secondary/vocational education also reported higher conflict rates (59.3%). The most frequent sources of conflict were excessive phone use (61.8%), computer/internet use (41.4%), mealtime disagreements (36.8%), failure to study (39.5%), uncompleted chores (34.5%), television-related arguments (28%), hairstyle disputes (18.2%), and loud music (11.8%). Qualitative data revealed two major themes: stress and arguments due to prolonged confinement, and parental intrusion into children's privacy due to overcrowding. Furthermore, 16.9% of children reported receiving parental punishment during the lockdown. While more females (86.3%) than males (79.8%) reported punishment, this difference was not statistically significant. Children aged 10-12 were slightly more likely to experience punishment (18.8%) than older children. The most common reasons for punishment were not completing chores (29.2%), disrespect/disobedience (27.7%), going out without permission (21.5%), excessive leisure activities (7.7%), and academic underperformance (7.7%). Qualitative data indicated that punishment increased during the lockdown, often for minor offenses, possibly reflecting the heightened stress experienced by parents.

The findings confirm that the COVID-19 lockdown significantly impacted parent-child dynamics in Ghana, leading to increased conflicts and punishment. The results align with previous research highlighting the negative consequences of lockdowns on families, particularly those experiencing economic hardship. The significant association between age and conflict underscores the challenges of managing adolescent autonomy and independence during confinement. The increased punishment, even for minor offenses, suggests that parental stress and frustration played a significant role. Overcrowding and the invasion of privacy emerged as key contributors to conflict, highlighting the impact of space constraints on family well-being. The higher rates of punishment among younger children warrant further investigation. Overall, these findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions and support systems to mitigate the negative consequences of lockdowns on families.

This study highlights the significant impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on parent-child relationships in Ghana, showing increased conflict and punishment. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive family support and psychosocial interventions to reduce the risk of child abuse during future lockdowns. Future research could focus on longitudinal studies to establish causal links and investigate the long-term effects on children's well-being. The government agencies responsible for child welfare should proactively address these issues.

This study has several limitations. The cross-sectional design limits causal inferences. The online survey methodology excluded children lacking internet access, affecting generalizability. The measure of parent-child conflict was relatively simple. Parental influence on children's responses is also a potential confounder. Despite these limitations, the study offers valuable insights into parent-child dynamics during the lockdown.