Behind Closed Doors: Exploring the Consequences of Parents Staying at Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Prevalence of Parental Violence Against Children

This study aimed to determine the consequences of parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of parental violence against children. The researcher used a descriptive-analytical technique in this study, and the sample consisted of 350 children who were abused by their parents. The researcher designed a questionnaire to identify the most common forms of parental violence (physical, sexual, verbal, economic, and psychological) against children as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed that parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a high prevalence of risks of parental violence against children, at 79.84%. Verbal violence ranked first at 21.3%, followed by psychological violence at 21%. Physical violence came in third place at 20.5%, economic violence at 18.7%, and sexual violence at 18.5%. One of the most important recommendations of this study is the necessity to take a set of serious measures, such as strengthening family values between parents and children, in order to strengthen the family unit in times of crisis, in general, and during the COVID-19 crisis, in particular.

push parents to resort to violence against their children to impose control and restore order in the home, leading to an increase in violence against children (Bezeczky et al., 2020;Piperno et al., 2007).The child's personality characteristics, such as mood swings, annoyance, screaming, harassment, talking excessively, crying, and committing riots, may also contribute to them being exposed to abuse from their parents (Rubaca et al., 2022;Rivera et al., 2012;Guerra et al., 2018).Daily problems, job instability, unemployment, and the inability to fulfill family requirements due to the COVID-19 crisis can also lead to increased anger and frustration, resulting in parents practicing violence against their children.This behavior can negatively impact children, leading to feelings of unhappiness, withdrawal, and distrust of others (Blagg et al., 2018;Guerra et al., 2018;Sulastri & Septania, 2022).

Figure 1
Shows the most significant reasons for parental violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic (Frieze et al., 2020;Piperno et al., 2007): Furthermore, international institutions including the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have reported an increase in domestic violence against children during the COVID- • such as rising unemployment, poverty, and a lack of suitable job opportunities, particularly during times of crisis, can contribute to parental violence against children.

Economic reasons
• such as marital disputes, an increase in the number of family members, and drug addiction, can also contribute to parental violence against children.

Social reasons
• such as TV series, movies, and programs that glorify violence by portraying the hero's strength of character through the use of violence against others, can also contribute to parental violence against children.

Media reasons
• such as the lack of appropriate laws and regulations to protect children at all levels, can also contribute to parental violence against children.

Legislative reasons
• such as the mistaken belief that physical or verbal punishment and the absence of dialogue and interaction between children and parents are the best ways to teach children good behavior, can also contribute to parental violence against children.

Misconceptions reasons
Elsayed -Behind Closed Doors 5 19 pandemic (UNICEF, 2020;WHO, 2020).Children, especially those who are already vulnerable, are at increased risk of violence, exploitation, and abuse during the pandemic.National institutions in various countries have also reported similar trends, with the Italian National Institute of Health reporting an increase in cases of child abuse during Italy's lockdown period (Italian National Institute of Health, 2020) and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children reporting a surge in calls to its helpline in the United Kingdom during the pandemic (NSPCC, 2020).
In Arab countries, several institutions have reported a significant increase in violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic.For example, the Ministry of Social Solidarity in Egypt reported a rise in reports of child abuse during the country's lockdown period (Ministry of Social Solidarity, 2020).Similarly, the Save Child Center in Jordan reported a surge in domestic violence and child abuse cases during the pandemic (Save Child Center, 2021).In the UAE, the Ministry of Community Development reported a 30% increase in reported cases of domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic's first quarter compared to the same period in 2019 (Ministry of Community Development, 2020).Additionally, the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children reported a 200% increase in calls to their helpline during the pandemic (DFWAC, 2020).Moreover, UNICEF reported that the pandemic has increased the risk of violence against children in the Middle East and North Africa region, particularly for vulnerable children (UNICEF MENA, 2020).These examples highlight the global impact of the pandemic on violence against children and emphasize the significance of research in this area.
It is worth noting that monotheistic religions, such as Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, recognize the importance of protecting children from harm, including parental violence, and emphasize treating children with kindness, compassion, and respect (Yusuf, 2023).The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught that "the best of you are those who are best to their families" in "Sunan al-Tirmidhi 3895", emphasizing the importance of treating family members, including children, with kindness and respect.In Christianity, children are seen as a precious gift from God, and the Bible states, "And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me" in "Matthew 18:5", highlighting the importance of valuing and protecting children as a reflection of one's faith in God.Judaism emphasizes the responsibility of individuals to protect others from harm, including children who are vulnerable and in need of protection.The Torah states, "You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor" in "Leviticus 19:16".These religions offer guidance on how to discipline children without resorting to violence, emphasizing positive reinforcement and gentle correction.The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught, "Treat your children with kindness and affection, and discipline them with love and guidance" in "Sunan Ibn Majah 3685".Similarly, in Christianity, parents are encouraged to discipline their children with love and compassion, as the Bible states, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" in "Ephesians 6:4".By following these teachings, individuals can contribute to building a peaceful and just society that values the well-being and dignity of all, including children (Carrera et al., 2020;Frenkel & Lev, 2009;Halil, 2022).

Importance of the Study's Contribution
This study is significant as it sheds light on the consequences of parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may contribute to the prevalence of parental violence against children.The research investigates different forms of parental violence against children, including physical, sexual, verbal, economic, and psychological violence.The study's findings can raise awareness about the impact of the pandemic on family dynamics and child well-being, informing targeted support and resources for families.This study's contribution can help inform the development of effective interventions to prevent and address parental violence against children during times of crisis.

Study Questions
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented changes to the daily lives of families worldwide.In this study, we aim to understand the impact of parents staying at home during the pandemic on the prevalence of parental violence against children.Our main research question is: -What are the consequences of parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of parental violence against children?
To answer this question, we have formulated the following sub-questions: -Q1: What are the consequences of parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of parental physical violence against children?-Q2: What are the consequences of parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of parental sexual violence against children?-Q3: What are the consequences of parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of parental verbal violence against children?-Q4: What are the consequences of parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of parental economic violence against children?-Q5: What are the consequences of parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of parental psychological violence against children?-Q6: Does the degree of children's awareness of the types of parental violence they have been exposed to after their parents stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic differ according to gender, age, educational status, number of siblings, and the economic status of the child's parents?
The sub-questions we have formulated will guide our investigation into specific types and effects of violence.We will explore the consequences of parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic on different forms of parental violence against children, including physical, sexual, verbal, economic, and psychological violence.Examining these sub-questions will provide a more detailed understanding of the impact of the pandemic on different types of violence and help identify the most pressing issues that need to be addressed.
Furthermore, we plan to examine whether the degree of children's awareness of the types of parental violence they have been exposed to after their parents stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic differs according to gender, age, educational status, number of siblings, and the economic status of the child's parents.This will provide valuable insights into the factors that influence children's perception of violence and their ability to report it.
It is worth noting that the study questions were designed based on a review of the literature on the impact of COVID-19 on violence against children, as well as consultations with experts in the field of child protection.We also consulted with academics specializing in child studies, social work, education, and sociology to ensure that the study questions were informed by diverse perspectives.Some of the key sources that informed the study questions include: -Publications from the United Nations, including reports from UNICEF and the World Health Organization on the impact of COVID-19 on violence against children.-Relevant academic literature on the impact of COVID-19 on families, parenting, and child well-being.-Policy documents and guidance from national and international organizations on child protection and violence prevention.

Sample
The study population includes all children who have been abused by their parents during the COVID-19 pandemic and are registered in child and family care centers and social support centers in the UAE, with an approximate total of 9,075 children.The study sample, consisting of approximately 350 children, was selected randomly from the study population using a simple random survey to obtain a representative sample.The researcher used Cochran's Equation to calculate the sample size, as shown in Equation 1 (Cochran, 1963, p.75): [Equation 1]: The sample size in limited populations, which refers to the study population, is denoted by n, the sample size in infinite communities is denoted by n0 (open communities), and the size of the study population is denotes N, where the study population was identified using official data from child and family care centers and social support centers, which was calculated from reality of the records is 9075 children.Equation 2 (Smith, 1983, p.90) shows how the researcher calculated a n0 using Smith's Equation [Equation 2]: Where n0 is the sample size, z is the abscissa of the normal curve that cuts off an area α at the tails and the researcher determined it by 99% at the level of significance of 1%, which is estimated at  2.58., e is the desired level of precision (in the same unit of measure as the variance) which was determined by the researcher as only one degree , and  is the variance of an attribute in the population.
By doing the calculations it was: n0 = (2.58) 2 × (7.39) 2  = 364 (1) 2 The following formula can be used to measure the sample size in the research population In this research, the sample consisted of 350 children from child and family care centers and social support centers in the UAE.Table 1 shows the demographic information on the participants.
Note.Regarding the participation of children under the age of 5 in the study and the data collection process, we recruited primary caregivers who were either social workers or psychologists to participate in the study.During the data collection process, the questions were directed in a simple verbal manner to the children so that they could understand them.The primary caregiver recorded the child's response inside the questionnaire.The interviews with the children took place at the headquarters of the Social Support Centers in which the study was applied.The questionnaires were administered through face-to-face interviews with the children who participated in the study, and that the questions were directed in a simple verbal manner to ensure that the children could understand them.It is also good to know that the primary caregivers and the researcher recorded the child's responses inside the questionnaire.Additionally, it is noteworthy that most of the children aged 12 years and over preferred to fill out the questionnaire on their own.This information suggests that the data collection process was accommodating to the age and preferences of the participants, which may improve the validity of the data collected.
Table 1 presents the distribution of the study sample by gender, age, educational status, number of siblings, and the economic situation of the child's family.The results show that 44.9% of the abused children after the COVID-19 crisis were boys, while 55.1% were girls.In terms of age, 25.2% of the children were less than 5 years old, 33.7% were between 6-11 years, and 41.1% were between 12-17 years old.Regarding educational status, 4.9% of the children had no education, 21.1% were in kindergarten, 27.7% were in elementary school, 15.4% were in middle school, and 30.9% were in secondary school.The number of siblings in the study sample was as follows: 17.4% had no siblings, 40.9% had 1-3 siblings, 35.7% had 4-6 siblings, and 6% had more than 6 siblings, some of whom suffered from discrimination.In terms of the economic situation of the child's family, 50% were poor, 35.8% were normal, and 14.2% were rich.This corresponds to previous studies (Nicola et al, 2020;Raine et al., 2021) which indicated that poor economic levels and poverty can have serious consequences for all societal systems, including the family system, and can negatively affect the lives of individuals, particularly children.

Ethical Approval
Before starting the survey, written consent was obtained from all parents or guardians of the children participating in the study to administer the questionnaire.The participants' data were analyzed anonymously to protect their identities.The study was approved by the Scientific Research Ethics Committee at Ajman University, UAE, and the researcher followed all applicable ethical regulations to ensure the confidentiality of the participants' information.

Study Instrument
The researcher developed a unique questionnaire to assess the five major forms of parental violence (physical, sexual, verbal, economic, and psychological) against children during the COVID-19 pandemic.▪ Questionnaire Validity: The virtual validity method was used to validate the questionnaire by presenting its initial form, along with a list of study questions, to 16 members who hold a Ph.D. in sociology and social work and are faculty members of universities.The questionnaire was modified 12 based on their suggestions, resulting in a final version consisting of 55 items divided into five variables, in order to achieve the study objectives.▪ B. Questionnaire Reliability: The internal consistency reliability was calculated using Cronbach's Alpha.Table 2 shows the reliability factors of Cronbach's Alpha: Table 2 shows the internal consistency reliability of the study tool, which was verified using the Cronbach alpha coefficient.The calculated coefficient for the questionnaire was 0.883, indicating a high degree of stability.Therefore, the questionnaire can be relied upon in the field application of the study.

Data Analysis Measures
To assess children's views on the prevalence of parental violence against them at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, a three-dimensional Likert scale was used.The scale included the following response options: agree (scored as.3), neutral (scored as.2), and disagree (scored as.1).

Methods of Analysis
Since this study falls under the descriptive research trend, which aims to describe and evaluate the variables of the study to obtain reliable data and details that reflect the reality of the situation, the researcher used descriptive analysis to collect, analyze, and interpret the data.The data collection period was from March 2021 to July 2022.The results were then compared and interpreted to arrive at correct conclusions about the dimensions of parental violence (physical, sexual, verbal, economic, and psychological) against children during the COVID-19 pandemic.The study also aimed to determine the differences in awareness levels of the types of parental violence among abused children in each of the five dimensions they were exposed to at home as a result of the Coronavirus crisis.The data from the study sample was monitored, analyzed, and interpreted to derive accurate conclusions and recommendations.

Analysis of Statistics
The researcher used the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software to conduct descriptive statistical analysis of the data collected in the study.The data was analyzed and interpreted using statistical coefficients such as frequencies, percentages, arithmetic mean, and standard deviation to characterize the sample data.Additionally, a one-way ANOVA test was used to assess the significance of the differences between the awareness levels of abused children regarding the types of parental violence they were exposed to at home as a result of the Coronavirus crisis, based on gender, age, educational status, number of siblings, and the economic status of the child's family.

Results
This section aims to investigate the impact of parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of parental violence against children.To achieve this goal, a series of sub-questions were formulated in the study questions section, which guided the investigation into the specific types and effects of violence.In the following subsections, the specific findings for each sub-question will be presented.The study will explore the consequences of parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic on different forms of parental violence against children, including physical, sexual, verbal, economic, and psychological violence.Furthermore, the study will examine whether the degree of children's awareness of the types of violence they have been exposed to differs according to gender, age, educational status, number of siblings, and the economic status of the child's parents.These findings will provide valuable insights into the factors that influence children's perception of violence and their ability to report it.Our findings are presented below according to the sub-questions that guided our investigation.Parental physical violence (N = 350) Table 3 shows the results related to the consequences of parental physical violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic when parents stayed at home.The total weight of parental physical violence against children was 9433, with a weighted relative weight of 81.67%.This indicates that the level of consequences is high.
Table 4 shows the results related to the consequences of parental sexual violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic when parents stayed at home.The total weight of parental sexual violence against children was 8561, with a weighted relative weight of 74.12%.This indicates that the level of consequences is in the middle range.

Findings Related to Sub-Question 3 Table 5 Parental verbal violence (N = 350)
Table 5 shows the results related to the consequences of parental verbal violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic when parents stayed at home.The total weight of parental verbal violence against children was 9815, with a weighted relative weight of 84.98%.This indicates a high level of consequences.

Findings Related to Sub-Question 4 Table 6
Parental economic violence (N = 350) Table 6 shows the results related to the consequences of parental economic violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic when parents stayed at home.The total weight of parental economic violence against children was 8601, with a weighted relative weight of 74.47%.This indicates that the level of consequences is in the middle range.Table 7 shows the results related to the consequences of parental psychological violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic when parents stayed at home.The total weight of parental psychological violence against children was 9699, with a weighted relative weight of 83.97%.This indicates a high level of consequences.

Findings Related to Sub-Question 6
To answer the sixth research question in the study, the researcher conducted an independent one-way ANOVA test to assess the significance of the differences between the average awareness levels of children regarding the types of parental violence they are exposed to at home as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.The test examined whether these average awareness levels vary according to gender, age, educational status, number of siblings, and the economic status of the child's family.The results of this test are detailed in the following section:   8 indicates that there are statistically significant differences in abused children's perspectives regarding parental violence according to the variables of gender, age, educational status, number of siblings, and economic situation of the child's family.These findings suggest that these variables are important

All levels of parental violence against children at home during the COVID-19 pandemic
Table 9 presents the results related to the study's main question, which examined the impact of parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of parental violence against children at home.The findings indicate a high level of effect of the COVID-19 crisis on all types of parental violence against children at home.Verbal violence was identified as the most prevalent type of violence, followed by psychological, physical, economic, and sexual violence, respectively.The total weight of all effects was 46109 with a weighted relative weight of 79.84%.

Discussion
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of stay-at-home parents during the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of parental violence against children.The results, as shown in Table 1, indicate that girls (55.1%) experienced violence slightly more frequently than boys (44.9%).In addition, children aged 12-17 years old (41.1%) were more likely to experience violence compared to those aged less than 5 years old (25.2%) and 6-11 years old (33.7%).These findings are consistent with previous research by Beckmann et al. (2021) and Arsawati et al. (2021), which suggest that girls are more vulnerable to violence than boys and that older children are at a higher risk of violence.However, our study differs from studies by Piperno et al. (2007) and Bezeczky et al. (2020), which suggest that younger children may be more susceptible to violence.Additionally, we found that children from poor families (50%) experienced more violence than those from normal or affluent families.Our findings align with studies by Afandi & Ma'ruf (2021) and Carrera et al. (2021), which have shown that children from lowincome families are at a greater risk of violence.Furthermore, these studies suggest that parents with low levels of education may be more inclined to use violent disciplinary measures.
Table 3 presents the results of our study, which show that parental physical violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic, after stay-at-home orders, has a total weight of 9433 and a weighted relative weight of 81.67%.These findings indicate a high level of consequences.The majority of abused children reported that their parents smacked them on their face, head, and other parts of their bodies (87.62%) when they did something against their will.Additionally, parents pushed them to the ground because of their actions (86.38%), pulled their hair, arms, or ears strongly to cause pain (84.67%), pinched their hands and feet when they bothered them (83.24%),silenced their mouths to stop their screaming while physically assaulting them (82.48%), and cut their hair without their desire (80.95%).Our results on the high levels of parental physical violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic are consistent with studies by Wang et al. (2021) and Wessells et al. (2021), which have also reported high levels of physical violence against children during difficult societal crises.However, our study differs from studies by Dashraath et al. (2020) and Frieze et al. (2020), which have suggested that the pandemic may have had a limited impact on physical violence against children.Furthermore, our study reveals that parents primarily used slapping, pushing, pulling hair, and pinching as forms of physical violence, which aligns with studies by Guerra et al. (2018) and Nicola et al. (2020) that have also highlighted the prevalence of these forms of violence.It is important to note that all forms of physical violence against a child, particularly hitting the body and slapping the face, reduce their feelings of human value and insult their dignity.However, our study differs from studies by Boisjoli & Hébert (2020) and Chiang et al. (2021), which have suggested that physical violence directed at children's genitals may also be a significant issue.
Table 4 presents the results of our study on parental sexual violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic after stay-at-home orders.The degree of parental sexual violence against children has a total weight of 8561 and a weighted relative weight of 74.12%, indicating a middle level of consequences.We observed that 77.71% of abused children reported that their parents sometimes abused their body parts in a sexual way.Additionally, 77.43% reported that physical violence directed against them by their parents was sometimes followed by coercion to have sex as punishment.76.67% reported that their parents despised them because they were sexual victims for the fun of others, and 76.38% reported that their parents forcibly stripped them of their clothes.Furthermore, 76.1% reported that their parents forced them to use explicit and graphic pornography, and 75.24% reported that their parents hurt them in their genitals.These findings correspond with studies by Nguyen et al. (2021) and Arsawati et al. (2021), which emphasize that all forms of sexual violence by parents towards children can include a range of behaviors, such as fondling, touching, or kissing a child's genitals or other intimate body parts, and forcing a child to engage in sexual activity or watch sexual acts.These behaviors can be accompanied by physical violence, threats, or coercion.The studies also stress the importance of addressing all obstacles that prevent children from being protected from any sexual abuse by their family members.However, our study differs from studies by Wang et al. (2021) andDouglas et al. (2020), which reported a decrease in reports of child sexual abuse during the pandemic and found that the prevalence of sexual violence against children during the pandemic was lower than in the pre-pandemic period.It is important to note that despite the lower prevalence reported in these studies, sexual violence against children remains a serious issue that requires attention and action.
Table 5 presents the results of our study on parental verbal violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic after stay-at-home.The degree of parental verbal violence against children has a total weight of 9815 and a weighted relative weight of 84.98%, indicating a high level of consequences.We observed that most abused children reported that their parents called them stupid (88.7%), worthless (88.1%), and ugly (87.3%).Additionally, 86.6% reported that their parents said no one could love or want them and criticized them in all situations in front of others (86.5%).Furthermore, 85.7% reported that their parents blamed them using insulting words and qualities.These findings correspond with studies by Beckmann et al. (2021) and Afandi et al. (2021), which emphasize that forms of verbal violence by parents against children can include a range of behaviors, such as insults, belittling, criticizing, blaming, and using demeaning language.Verbal violence can also involve threats, intimidation, and coercion.These behaviors can have serious and long-lasting consequences for the child's emotional well-being, selfesteem, and mental health.It is important to note that any form of violence, including verbal violence, can be damaging and should not be tolerated in any form.Additionally, all forms of verbal violence between children and parents are a social problem that can lead to suicidal thinking.Therefore, efforts must be made to amend harsh disciplinary practices that rely on insulting children verbally, as they can damage the child's sense of parental love and self-worth.However, our study differs from studies by Beckmann et al. (2021) and Nguyen et al. (2021), which found that while the pandemic has increased stress and anxiety levels in families, there was no significant increase in reports of domestic violence, including verbal violence against children.It is important to note that despite the lack of an increase in reported cases, verbal violence against children remains a serious issue that requires attention and action.
Table 6 presents the results of our study on parental economic violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic after stay-at-home orders.The degree of parental economic violence against children has a total weight of 8601 and a weighted relative weight of 74.47%, indicating a middle level of consequences.We observed that most abused children reported that their parents refused to give them the necessary money for their personal expenses (80.38%), taunted them for their spending on living needs (78.19%), and forced them to engage in craftwork to bring money to them (77.81%).Additionally, 77.05% reported that one of their parents grabbed their money and wasted it in a way that did not protect their material rights, as one of them had conservatorship over them.Furthermore, 76.19% reported that their parents deprived them of their basic needs in life, including food, clothing, and healthy housing, while 74.57% reported that their parents had full control over their financial resources.These findings correspond with studies by Wessells et al. (2021) and Chiang et al. (2021), which emphasize that forms of economic violence by parents toward children can include a range of behaviors, such as depriving them of basic needs, forcing them to work or engage in illegal activities to bring in money, and stealing or wasting their money.All forms of economic violence can result in high crime rates within society, as a lack of material resources, extreme poverty, and failure to meet basic needs can lead to risks threatening the security of all members of society, both small and large.However, our study differs from studies by Nicola et al. (2020) and Omer et al. (2020), which found that the prevalence of economic violence against children during the pandemic was lower than before the pandemic, possibly due to increased government support and financial aid programs.
Table 7 presents the results of our study on parental psychological violence against children during the COVID-19 pandemic after stay-at-home.The degree of parental psychological violence against children has a total weight of 9699 and a weighted relative weight of 83.97%, indicating a high level of consequences.We observed that most abused children reported that their parents took advantage of their love for them by pressing them to obey orders they did not believe in (87.43%), isolated them from loved ones and friends (87.14%), and followed their comments and their friends' comments on their personal internet pages (85.9%).Additionally, 85.52% reported that their parents accompanied them in all outdoor activities because they were not fully confident in them, and 85.23% reported that their parents threatened to destroy their property, including their toys, clothes, and furniture.Furthermore, 83.43% reported that their parents did not leave them alone and did not respect their privacy, following them from room to room.These findings correspond with studies by Pantelewicz et al. (2021) and Skar et al. (2021), which emphasize that all forms of psychological violence can result in negative psychological behaviors such as aggressive reactions, stress, selfmutilation, low self-esteem, and irritability in the relationship with parents.Psychological violence by parents towards children can include a range of behaviors that are intended to cause emotional harm, degrade their selfesteem, and exert control over their behavior.These behaviors can include isolation, such as limiting their contact with friends and family or preventing them from participating in social activities, and neglect, such as failing to provide emotional support, ignoring them, or withholding affection.However, our study differs from studies by Yayak et al. (2020) and Elsayed et al. (2021), which found that the pandemic has caused an increase in genderbased violence due to increased economic strain on families.
The results presented in Table 8 show that there were statistically significant differences in children's awareness of the types of parental violence they have been exposed to after their parents stayed at home during the Covid-19 pandemic based on the variables of gender, age, educational status, number of siblings, and the economic status of the child's parents.These findings are consistent with previous research (Blagg et al., 2018;Ortiz-López et al., 2020) that has shown that the number of siblings and the economic status of the child's parents can influence children's experiences of violence.However, our study differs from studies (Raine et al., 2020;Rivera et al., 2012) that did not find statistically significant differences based on gender and age.
Based on the results presented in the study, we were able to answer the main question, which was to determine the effects of parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic on levels of parental violence against children.As shown in Table 9, the total weight of all effects was 46109, with a weighted relative weight of 79.84%.This indicates a high level of effect on all types of parental violence against children at home.The results also indicate that verbal violence was the most common type of violence, with a relative weight of 21.3%, followed by psychological violence at 21%, physical violence at 20.5%, economic violence at 18.7%, and sexual violence at 18.5%.This differs from studies by Wang et al. (2021) and Elsayed et al. (2021) that indicated physical violence as the most common type of violence within families.It is crucial to note that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on parental violence against children is complex and multifaceted.Therefore, the high level of effect found in this study highlights the urgent need for policies and interventions that prevent and address all types of parental violence against children, particularly during times of crisis.

Conclusions
In conclusion, our study found a significant increase in the prevalence of parental violence in its various forms after parents stayed at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.This highlights the urgent need for serious measures to be taken by social workers in child and family care centers and social support centers to protect children from parental violence.To achieve this, we recommend the following steps: ▪ Strengthening the UNICEF approach, particularly in supporting state governments and societal organizations worldwide to strengthen child protection systems.This includes developing laws, policies, and regulations and providing comprehensive services for child victims, as well as raising awareness of children's issues and addressing attitudes, customs, and practices that negatively affect abused children.▪ Improving social performance among parents by promoting family cohesion and achieving strong adaptation among family members.This can help to prevent parental violence and foster positive relationships between children and parents.▪ Strengthening family values and positive moral standards to enhance the family entity.▪ Achieving psychosocial balance and resolving conflicts within the family to reach the highest level of job performance.▪ Treating physical injuries such as bruises and burns in children affected by parental violence.▪ Helping parents learn proper socialization methods such as reward, punishment, encouragement, and emotional balance in raising children.▪ Helping parents and the family as a whole to acquire sound behavior and health habits that promote positive family dynamics.▪ Providing parent education and training to change the use of physical punishment as a means of raising children, as it is ineffective.▪ Improving the child's relationship with their family by enhancing social interaction as an effective way to relieve internal stress.▪ Referring children to child care institutions to protect them from violent violations.▪ Improving living conditions for children and their families to help them cope with the burdens of life that may cause psychological pressure leading to child abuse.
▪ Providing educational opportunities for children who have been deprived of education due to their poor living conditions.▪ Helping children access medical treatment without routine complications and covering expenses through NGOs and hospitals that provide free or reduced-cost services for cases with severe illness and low economic levels.▪ Providing health and educational rehabilitation programs aimed at educating children on how to deal with injuries with caution and educating their families about proper health care and nutrition.▪ Providing prosthetic devices to children who have been disabled as a result of physical abuse, such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, or plastic surgery to treat burns that distort the child's body.
impact abused children's perspectives of parental violence.The F Statistic values are greater than the F Critical values at a statistical significance level of 0.05, indicating that the differences observed are statistically significant.Based on the above results that have addressed all sub-questions of the study, we can now answer the main question of the study, which is "What are the consequences of parents staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of parental violence against children?".

Table 8
One-way ANOVA test of abused children responses