The Changed Parenting Experiences of Mothers of Elementary School Students in the Face of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Purpose:The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the changed parenting experiences of mothers of elementary school kids living in the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea. Methods: From July to August in 2020, 10 mothers parenting elementary school students under the COVID-19 were interviewed in depth. For data analysis, a phenomenological research methodology suggested by Colaizzi was used. Results: According to the analysis, the experiences of mothers consisted of four categories: the 'pain from the uncontrollable COVID-19', 'the problem of family relations due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation', 'standing firm against the drastic changes', and 'accepting the world changed by the COVID-19'. Conclusion: The findings in this study vividly represent the parenting experiences of mothers of elementary school students after the outbreak of COVID-19. As the pandemic persists, mothers parenting elementary school students feel complex emotions and experience exhaustion, but in the process, they found family members growing positively and trying to adjust to each other to overcome the crisis. To support positive adaptation to catastrophic situations, an institutional and political foundation is needed to develop a systematic crisis management program customized for mothers and families of elementary school students. The results of this study can be used as basic data when establishing national policies and support systems so that mothers parenting elementary school students can better adapt to and overcome crisis situations.

Mothers’ experience of caring for home-quarantined children after close contact with COVID-19 in Korea: an exploratory qualitative study

“…Therefore, the participants took care of not only the children in home quarantine but also shouldered the role of separating and caring for other children. According to the study of Moon et al [39], the mother's parenting duties, as well as her day-to-day work, are greatly increased with COVID-19, which increases the risk of burnout. A mother's burden can lead to psychological problems in her children, which in the long term extends into adulthood and can affect various areas of life [40].…”

The Effects of Depression and Fear in Dual-Income Parents on Work-Family Conflict During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Moreover, people may develop negative emotions when they cannot control their lives, as with COVID-19, and the fear of infection, in particular, may trigger family conflict (National Center for Mental Health, 2021). In fact, a phenomenological study on mothers of elementary school students in Korea (Moon et al, 2021) reported that the participants had more intense fears about COVID-19 having become a part of their ordinary lives. Moreover, they were afraid of having to continue their roles at home and work which provoked various types of conflicts and caused difficulties in all aspects of their life.…”