Background Conflicts and violence are expected to increase because of stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conflicts and violence at home might amplify stay-at-home burden during the...Show moreBackground Conflicts and violence are expected to increase because of stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conflicts and violence at home might amplify stay-at-home burden during the pandemic, increasing risk for adjustment disorder. Women might experience conflicts, violence, and stay-at-home burden more likely than men, predisposing them for adjustment disorder. Objective This study aims to investigate whether conflicts/violence predict more stay-at-home burden and adjustment disorder symptoms depending on gender. It is hypothesized that stay-at-home burden mediates the positive association between conflicts/violence and adjustment disorder symptoms. Further, it is hypothesized that gender moderates this positive association between conflicts/violence and stay-at-home burden, with conflicts/violence predicting more stay-at-home burden and adjustment disorder symptoms for women than men. Methods A cross-sectional online survey study was conducted with mostly female and Dutch participants (n = 1883) from July 24th, 2020 until November 15th, 2020. Conflicts, violence, and stay-at-home burden were assessed with the self-constructed survey Burden by Corona Pandemic. Adjustment disorder symptoms were assessed with Adjustment Disorder – New Module 8. A moderated mediation analysis with “PROCESS” macro model number 7 (v4.1) was conducted. Results The moderated mediation analysis yielded non-significant results. Stay-at-home burden was not significantly mediating the positive association between conflicts/violence and adjustment disorder symptoms. Gender was not significantly moderating the positive association between conflicts/violence and stay-at-home burden. Discussion In this study, women did not report more stay-at-home burden and adjustment disorder symptoms due to conflicts and violence than men. Longitudinal studies should investigate how gender, conflicts, violence, and stay-at-home burden can impact mental health long-term during a pandemic.Show less
