An analysis of de-identified (anonymous) data provided by parents signing up to do Triple P Online also revealed that many parents are experiencing mental health problems (such as severe anxiety and depression) at alarming rates.

Responses from more than 23 900 families were analysed to allow comparisons between those who had signed up to do Triple P Online before COVID-19, and those who had sought online support since then. Triple P support is free to local families through state government funding.

Child behaviour problems and children’s emotional distress are up 23 per cent and 70 per cent respectively when compared with the pre-COVID-19 period.

Seven out of ten parents also self-assessed their current use of unhelpful parenting practices (including overly lax or hostile parenting) as being within the range that would usually indicate a need for clinical support.

Download the COVID-19 Impact on Queensland Families report.

Free Triple P resources to help parents during this time include Top Tips and full parenting guide to help parents cope with the challenges of COVID-19 (there are separate guides for parents of younger children and parents of teenagers; a guide to supporting healthy relationships and reducing conflict; and a free online magazine featuring articles and ideas, and interviews with parents and Triple P providers. These resources are available at www.triplep-parenting.net