Perspectives and experiences of Covid-19: Two Irish studies of families in disadvantaged communities

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has been recognised to affect families’ socio-emotional well-being. Collecting the views of families in diverse socio-economic contexts can contribute to understanding their specific needs and resources in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic. The overarching objective of the current research was to explore the views and experiences of families in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic, who were living in the Republic of Ireland, including in areas designated as disadvantaged. In Study 1, the objective was to explore changes, difficulties, and concerns experienced by parents of children up to six years old during the pandemic, and related associations with socio-demographic characteristics. Data were collected from 168 parents/carers via an online questionnaire, and examined using conceptual content analysis. The most frequently identified experiences related to restrictions, social isolation, negative impacts on parents’ emotional and psychological well-being, negative impacts on children’s emotional well-being and development, concerns with physical health, uncertainty about the future, and positive changes regarding family time and activities. Associations were found with parents’ age and work situation, and family’s income and composition. In Study 2, the objective was to explore the views of children, parents, and service providers about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on families’ life, and relevant supports. Data were collected from 50 children aged between eight and 17 years old, 17 parents, and 20 service providers through focus group discussions, and examined using thematic analysis. The participants reported experiences related to challenges with online education, uncertainty regarding children’s education, food poverty, and children’s socio-emotional health. The findings of both studies reinforced the importance of implementing measures to promote parents’ and children’s socio-emotional well-being, combat educational inequalities, and ensure economic and employment security.

Promoting family wellbeing through parenting support in ECEC services: parents' views on a model implemented in Ireland

“…The activities organised were also identified as enabling social interaction between families, which was particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Families in the Irish context were found to report social isolation during the implementation of related containment and mitigation strategies (Leitão et al, 2022). In the current study, the COVID-19 pandemic was perceived as a barrier to organising activities and participating in them.…”

Encontrar un nuevo equilibrio: Estudio cualitativo sobre los efectos del COVID-19 en la vida familiar

“…Por ejemplo: cuestiones relacionadas con formas en las que los padres pueden mejorar el nuevo equilibrio entre su vida laboral, personal y familiar, manteniendo los cambios positivos logrados durante la pandemia, son tan fructíferas como necesarias para conservar beneficios percibidos a largo plazo. No solo eso, es importante considerar a las familias que no han experimentado este cambio positivo para que puedan identificar formas de compartir más tiempo entre familiares (36) .…”

Striking a new balance: A qualitative study of how family life has been affected by COVID-19

“…For example, questions about how parents can improve the new balance between work, personal and family life, sustaining the positive changes achieved during the pandemic, are fruitful and necessary to maintain long-term perceived benefits. Moreover, it is important to consider families that have not experienced this positive change so that they can identify ways to spend more time with their relatives (36) .…”