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Table 6 Main evidence gaps, categorized by domains, concerning the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parenting practices

From: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental health, early childhood development, and parental practices: a global scoping review

Parenting Practices

Behavioral

1.Global/regional estimates of adherence to WHO guidelines on breastfeeding and newborn care, stratified by type of breastfeeding practice, preterm birth, weight at birth, newborn comorbidities, level, and type of support offered to the mother, and family socioeconomic status. (e.g., Scala, M. et al., 2020452)

2.Differential impact of multiple risk factors on parental practices delivered by primiparous mothers

3.Differential impact of elevated stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms reported by secondary caregivers on parental practices

Health and Development

1.Global/regional estimates of immunization schedule compliance, especially in LMICs undergoing humanitarian crisis

2.Global/regional up to date estimates of the differential impact of access barriers to health services, rehabilitation centers and school closures on the wellbeing of children with neurodevelopmental disorders and/ or chronic illnesses

3.Global/regional estimates of the impact of tele/virtual healthcare on ECD, stratified by presence of neurodevelopmental disorders and/or chronic illnesses and socioeconomic status

4.Global/regional estimates on the impact of homeschooling on education quality and pedagogical milestones, stratified by gender and family socioeconomic status

Relational

1.Harsh parenting / abusive parental behavior: overall prevalence, as well as magnitude and significance of change, reported by subtype: psychological, physical, sexual. Stratified by socioeconomic status and country/sub-regions

2.Cross-cultural and culture-specific estimates on maternal-newborn and infant attachment quality, stratified by socioeconomic status, level and type of support offered to the mother, and family financial stability

Economic

1.Impact of food insecurity on family feeding practices: prevalence as well as magnitude and significance of change, stratified by country, sub-regions, and type concerning quantity and quality of household dietary patterns

2.Impact of loss of family health insurance coverage on care practices, especially concerning neonates and children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and/or chronic illnesses, stratified by sub-regions, as well as family socioeconomic status, levels of access to health services, and quality of health services available

Neighborhood

1.Association of parental practices and living conditions, stratified by: (1) city and neighborhood infrastructure or deprivation; (2) community safety and security, housing structure, overcrowding, WASH conditions, access to recreational activities, schools, daycare centers, urban parks

Environmental

1.Impact on parental practices of the interaction between the COVID-19 pandemic and environmental events, such as: (1) natural disasters; (2) industrial disasters; (3) war and conflict; (4) climate change; (5) forced migration; (6) trauma and violence

Social and Cultural

1.Cross-cultural and culture-specific relationship between parental practices and: (1) community social capital; (2) social stability