The experiences of families living in KwaZulu-Natal caring for children in middle childhood during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Caregiving is said to be challenging, and the strains that were endured during the COVID-19 pandemic added to the challenges of caregiving. Unemployment rates showed an increase to a 42.6% rate in South Africa. COVID-19 effects added stress and anxiety to the public, as families faced death, loss of income, insecure attachments, decreased boundaries, anxiety, depression, mental health and overall illness, and various other stressors. The above experiences were factors that had implications for the caregivers trying to meet the needs of a growing child that is in middle childhood. These experiences are seldom known, and thus, families fall victim to dysfunction.

The goal of the research study was to explore and describe the experiences of families living in KwaZulu-Natal that cared for children in middle childhood during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative research approach was conducted to gather information that would elaborate in detail on the individual experiences of the caregivers. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, with an interview schedule as a guide. Non-probability sampling – purposive sampling was utilised to ensure that the caregivers caring for children in middle childhood (6-12 years) who were living in KwaZulu- Natal were selected. Six participants (six females) formed the sampled group.

Findings of the study suggested that the caregivers experienced financial constraints and distress during this period. In the experience of such, they engage in desperate means of survival. Social systems were affected as the families’ frustrations affected behaviours and the relations within the household, at times resulting in domestic violence perpetuation. Families became helpless and hopeless during the period, as they had no sense of permanency.

Based on the findings, it was evident that the families required intense interventions to curb all the newly adopted negative stressors and coping mechanisms. It is recommended that outlines of psychosocial support interventions and distress strategies be developed for these crises prior to them taking place. The above is to ensure that they are known, and thus manpower, implementation, or resources are not a challenge in rollouts.