Pandemic lockdown leads to parents experiencing higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression, as well as increased irritability with their children, researchers have found.

Those most affected tend to be parents who are younger, those living in deprivation or housing they don’t like, and those with chronic mental or physical health conditions, data show.

The researchers collected data via an online survey of 2365 parents (81% female; all able to speak English) who had at least one child under 18 living at home during the April 2020 national lockdown.

At the time Australia was in stage three of pandemic restrictions with people told to stay home except for essential shopping, caregiving, exercise and permitted work or study.