Identifying Concern and Stress of Parents, Students and Teachers With the Social Distance Planning Process and Reopening of Schools During Covid-19 Pandemic: a Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: With the closure of schools as a result of the social distancing plan, the negative emotions that individuals experience became complicated. Therefore, the present study provides deep understanding of the concerns and stresses of parents, students and teachers about the process of social distance planning and reopening of schools during COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2020. The data for this study were collected through semi-structured interviews with teachers, students and their parents in Tuyserkan. Sampling was performed by purposeful sampling method with the maximum variation. Data analysis was performed simultaneously with data collected by content analysis method. Results: In general, the majority of participants were stressed and concerned about the social distancing plan and the reopening of schools during Covid-19 pandemic. During data analysis, 74 primary codes, 13 sub-themes and 6 themes were obtained. The themes included preparing factors (knowledge), reinforcing factors, preparing factors (attitude), enabling factors, epidemiological aspects of the subject and quality of life. Conclusions: Identifying and explaining the concerns and stress of parents, students and teachers about the process of social distance planning and reopening of schools during COVID-19 pandemic will help policy makers and administrators for planning and interventions related to this.