New mothers' experiences of social disruption and isolation during the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak in Hong Kong

Abstract

In Hong Kong during the severe acute respiratory syndrome outbreak of 2003, sustained uncertainty caused daily stress for residents for > 3 months. Expectant women experienced unexpected social disruption and isolation within their day-to-day life that have not been described in their own voice. The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of women who became mothers during the outbreak and the ways in which these experiences impacted their early post-partum mothering. A phenomenological research design was chosen. The participants' responses then led the interview process. As the women's experiences had many similarities, saturation was reached after eight interviews. Four themes emerged: living with uncertainty, intense vigilance, isolation, and disrupted expectations. The participants spoke of disrupted daily routines as they tried to eliminate their risk of contracting this disease, including relationship difficulties with their spouse. None of the women had the birth experience they had hoped for because of changes in hospital practices.

The Functional Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic: A Rapid Review

“…Identi ed mental health risk factors for community members include age, gender, trait anxiety, personal or family history of mental illness, prolonged quarantine, direct contact with coronavirus patients, and inadequate food, clothing and accommodation (40,43,48,49,52,54,77). Community members also highlighted disruptions to expectations and life aspirations as having a particularly negative impact (78).…”

“…Confusion regarding quarantine requirements, particularly across jurisdictions, may lead to noncompliance with quarantine (47). A lack of available information or discrepant information may also contribute to community distress, and the exercise of unnecessary restrictions on activity participation (50,78). Sources of information while in quarantine may also in uence community mental health and wellbeing, with both exclusive reliance on television (50) and avoiding email, text, and the Internet (77) associated with greater stress.…”

“…Shopping is the only domestic activity discussed in the reviewed literature, with tasks such as carrying groceries suggested as a means for maintaining physical function (46). Acquiring adequate supplies is supportive of coping during quarantine (44), however community members are unable to shop as frequently as they would prefer (78). Some groups (such as single people and students living away from home) may also have more di culties accessing assistance with domestic tasks if required (47).…”

“…Quarantine restrictions also result in forced social isolation for the community, with most social activities stopped or severely restricted (78,84). Continued access to support from family and friends, dating, and the avoidance of crowded spaces were identi ed as health promoting (53,81).…”

“…Disruption to economic participation and decreased nancial resources was also frequently discussed as a major negative in uence on community wellbeing (42,43,47,77,78,82). However, maintaining access to cultural, recreational, leisure, political, economic and social groups and the use of a community-based perspective may mitigate the negative impact of coronavirus pandemics (55,84).…”