Mother–child relationships during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A longitudinal qualitative approach

Abstract

Global crises have a disproportionate impact on women, and typical family life for mothers and children in the United States was disrupted by the COVID‐19 pandemic. This longitudinal qualitative study examined mothers' (n = 82) experiences in their mother–child relationships between March 2020 and April 2021 during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Participants completed open‐ended online survey items at both time points, while 22 participants also completed in‐depth interviews in April 2021. Three themes were identified through longitudinal qualitative analysis: (1) outside relationships and resources, (2) relational change and continuity, and (3) mother–child time. Results are discussed using Bronfenbrenner's Person, Process, Context, Time (PPCT) model.