Parenting in the current COVID-19 reality -- understanding and
addressing parental concerns using a qualitative methodology
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought in significant
changes in the lifestyles of families across the world. This study is
aimed to look at the parental perspectives and concerns related to
challenges in parenting in the current COVID-19 pandemic situation
through qualitative methodology.
Method: The dataset for the study was the queries raised by
parents who participated in a parent training program that addressed
concerns related to parenting in the pandemic situation. Two training
sessions were conducted by one of the authors, as part of community
outreach activities in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
at a tertiary care academic institute of national importance. Thematic
deductive approach was used to analyse the dataset manually.
Results: The major themes that emerged were concerns related to
handling children in home-bound situation, handing siblings of different
age groups, caring for children with developmental disorders, managing
work-life balance, concerns related to screen time in children, general
parenting related queries for young children and adolescents. Based on
the themes emerged, information pamphlets addressing these specific
concerns were prepared for wide dissemination among parents.
Conclusion: This study attempted to understand the parental
perspectives and experiences related to parenting challenges in the
current pandemic situation. Parental narratives highlighted some of the
unique challenges pertaining to the ‘new normal’. Disseminating
educational and informational resources during the pandemic is an
essential systemic response that will benefit the community in
resource-limited settings.