Parental Mental Health and Early Childhood Development in Post-Flood Displaced Communities in Anambra State

This study investigates the relationship between parental mental health and early childhood development outcomes in communities displaced by flooding in Anambra State, South East Nigeria. Recurrent flooding in low-lying communities along the Niger-Anambra river basin has created a recurring cycle of displacement, economic loss, and psychosocial stress for affected households. This research employed a cross-sectional survey design involving 280 displaced parent-child dyads recruited from temporary resettlement camps in Ogbaru and Onitsha North local government areas. Parental mental health was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression and the Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale, while child development was evaluated using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire across five domains. Path analysis examined both direct and caregiver-mediated pathways from displacement-related stress to child developmental outcomes. Results indicate that displaced parents showed elevated rates of depressive and anxiety symptoms, with 44 percent meeting screening thresholds for moderate or severe depression. Parental depression was the strongest predictor of child developmental delays, particularly in communication and personal-social domains. Responsive caregiving behaviour mediated the relationship between parental mental health and child development. The study recommends that emergency response agencies in Anambra State integrate parental mental health screening and psychosocial support as standard components of flood relief programmes. Keywords: parental mental health, early childhood development, displacement, Anambra State, flooding.