Format
ISSUP Event
Publication Date
Published by / Citation
Dr Aala El-Khani
Original Language

English

Themes
Prevention
ISSUP Event
Uniting the global community to face the challenge of addiction
Speaker
Dr Aala El-Khani

Mitigating the negative effects of COVID-19 on family life and youth resilience with evidence informed tools - Dr Aala El-Khani, Day 4, 09:00-10:29

Submitted by Luciana Bruno - 16 June 2022

Presented as part of the Uniting the global community to face the challenge of addiction event, online on 15th May, 2022

Presentation:

  • Mitigating the negative effects of COVID-19 on family life and youth resilience with evidence informed tools - Dr Aala El-Khani

Abstract:

  • Mitigating the negative effects of COVID-19 on family life and youth resilience with evidence informed tools - Dr Aala El-Khani

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has changed family life and is associated with increased parenting stress and, in turn, an increased risk of harsh parenting increasing vulnerabilities around children. These vulnerabilities are predictors of risky behaviours and poor social and health outcomes. In response, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC) adapted its family skills programming to include evidence-informed parenting tools to support caregivers during the pandemic and beyond stemming from its cumulated experience in supporting parenting under stressful situations. These tools (leaflets and booklets) are available in over 46 languages and include key parenting messages, in parallel to messages on complying with COVID-19 health response measures. These are being implemented globally. Qualitative and quantitative data collected from UNODC network of field offices, reflected that dissemination and scalability of these tools has proven feasible with indication of promising effectiveness. Current efforts are underway adapting the further dissemination of these tools, including via digitalization and video recordings.

UNODC also joined partner agencies under the INSPIRE initiative to end violence against children and availed further parenting tools. It is essential that a family systems approach is integrated into a COVID-19 response to mitigate negative effects of COVID-19 on family life and youth protectory.

Learning objectives

Highlight the key role of caregivers to promote the well-being and mental health of children and youth during COVID-19.