“Our life literally got turned upside down”: Mothers' experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic

Objective

The purpose of this study is to describe how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the lives of families with preschool-age children, both broadly and with respect to familial roles, relationships, and routines.

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic placed a significant caregiving burden on families with young children, but the voices and experiences of these families have not been well documented in the scientific literature. Preschool-age children undergo rapid brain development during the early childhood period, and thus these children may be especially vulnerable to the effects of pandemic-related stress.

Method

We conducted a qualitative descriptive study with caregivers of preschool-age children. A semi-structured interview was used to elicit information about the COVID-19 pandemic's influence on family functioning, routines, and relationships. We used inductive thematic analysis to code the data and identify themes and subthemes.

Results

Thirty-five women participated in the study. Women described both positive and negative influences of the pandemic on family life. Themes included: 1) disrupted routines and the parent juggling act, 2) rattled relationships and close connections, 3) the pile-up of pandemic related stressors, and 4) coping strategies and “coming out on the other side.”

Conclusions & Implications

A deeper understanding of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on family life provides critical insight necessary to inform targeted intervention efforts and improve long-term outcomes for families with young children.