A survey of more than 800 parents and children who lived through the Covid-19 pandemic in Abu Dhabi will help to inform future policies and response plans to emergencies that may arise in the future.
Called “Life During Covid: Young Children & their Families in Abu Dhabi”, the study measured the impact the pandemic had on parents and their children.
While the survey conducted by the Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority (ECA) in partnership with New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) showed that children were less anxious during the pandemic, screen time for children up to the age of three did increase dramatically.
Up to 20 per cent of those parents surveyed experienced a job loss in their family. Many of them were expatriates, who also reported experiencing a significant decline in their relationship with their children.
A total of 835 parents and their children participated in the study, of which 69 per cent were residents.
Healthy habits
The research also showed positive changes with healthier eating habits and more active lifestyles with both parents and their children.
Fathers in particular did more physical activity as opposed to mothers, who reported higher levels of stress.
“Historical pandemic research shows that staying healthy and feeling psychologically safe are some of the key challenges of living in a pandemic," said Jocelyn Belanger, associate professor of psychology, New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD).
"Our Covid-19 research reveals that this is the area where the current pandemic has had the greatest impact in the lives of families with young children."
Perceived economic hardship was stable for parents with children aged 4-8 years, but significantly increased for parents with children aged 0-3 years.
“The present research addresses an important gap in knowledge regarding the impact of Covid-19 on families with young children living in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi," said Antje von Suchodoletz, assistant professor of psychology, NYUAD.
"The key takeaway from our research is that the current pandemic produced important lifestyle changes for parents and young children."
The partnership between NYUAD and the ECA was an effort to strengthen ties between local organisations and universities and research centres.
“This collaboration further supports our endeavours to develop and implement an effective early childhood development research ecosystem, to inform evidence-based policymaking, provide the best resources, and conduct high-quality research," said Hamda Mohamed Al Suwaidi, a researcher at the ECA.
Mr Al Suwaidi said the research was a cornerstone for future studies with the aim of developing evidence-based services, programmes and policies.
The ECA seeks to support early childhood-related research to help inform policy and legislation development, as well as applying research to overcome challenges affecting young children in Abu Dhabi.
They are responsible for reviewing, adjusting, and issuing policies in the early childhood sector.
Last week, the President, Sheikh Mohamed, congratulated companies that took part in an initiative to make their workplaces more parent-friendly.
Launched in May last year by the ECA, the Parent-Friendly Label provides criteria that employers can adopt to be recognised for their parent-friendly policies, practices and culture.
The initiative also supports working parents as they care for their children, and encourages a better work-life balance.
President Sheikh Mohamed congratulates companies supporting working parents: in pictures
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
BeIN Sports currently has the rights to show
- Champions League
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- Spanish Primera Liga
- Italian, French and Scottish leagues
- Wimbledon and other tennis majors
- Formula One
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'Lost in Space'
Creators: Matt Sazama, Burk Sharpless, Irwin Allen
Stars: Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Maxwell Jenkins
Rating: 4/5
Britain's travel restrictions
- A negative test 2 days before flying
- Complete passenger locator form
- Book a post-arrival PCR test
- Double-vaccinated must self-isolate
- 11 countries on red list quarantine
The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
Sreesanth's India bowling career
Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40
ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55
T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12
'The Lost Daughter'
Director: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Starring: Olivia Colman, Jessie Buckley, Dakota Johnson
Rating: 4/5
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
Results
4.30pm Jebel Jais – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (Turf) 1,000m; Winner: MM Al Balqaa, Bernardo Pinheiro (jockey), Qaiss Aboud (trainer)
5pm: Jabel Faya – Maiden (PA) Dh60,000 (T) 1,000m; Winner: AF Rasam, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
5.30pm: Al Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: AF Mukhrej, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Prep – Conditions (PA) Dh100,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: Mujeeb, Richard Mullen, Salem Al Ketbi
6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club – Prestige (PA) Dh125,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Antonio Fresu, Abubakar Daud
7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard
RESULTS
6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko
7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Storm Damage, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O'Meara
9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
EU Russia
The EU imports 90 per cent of the natural gas used to generate electricity, heat homes and supply industry, with Russia supplying almost 40 per cent of EU gas and a quarter of its oil.
PROFILE OF HALAN
Started: November 2017
Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport and logistics
Size: 150 employees
Investment: approximately $8 million
Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
