“It’s Just Our New Norm”: A Qualitative Analysis of COVID-19 Pandemic Stressors and Protective Factors Among Caregivers of School-Aged Children

PurposeTo understand general COVID-19 pandemic-related stressors among caregivers of children ages 3-15, and describe institutional, interpersonal, and personal protective factors used to cope with pandemic-related stress.DesignSemi-structured, in-depth interviews.SettingMaryland.ParticipantsCaregivers of children enrolled in the COVID-19 Family Study; 38 caregivers during 2020 (T1) and 22 caregivers during repeat interviews in 2021 (T2).MethodThe research team developed interview guides informed by the Family Stress Model (FSM) for T1 and T2 interviews. Interviews were analyzed using content coding to later construct themes related to how stressors and protective factors changed over time.ResultsThe thematic analysis is described across four concepts: caregiver stressors, institutional protective factors, interpersonal protective factors, and personal factors. In T1 interviews, stressors included viral exposure, remote work and school, and social distancing. During T2 interviews, caregivers described re-opening of work, school, and businesses and shifting back into pre-pandemic routines as continuing stressors. In both rounds of interviews, caregivers described a variety of institutional, interpersonal, and personal protective factors to cope with stress. Commonly mentioned protective factors included government aid (i.e., stimulus checks, free school lunches), family time, and hobbies.ConclusionFindings highlight the necessity of multi-tiered (institutional, interpersonal, personal) approaches to support caregivers navigating stressful experiences during times of extraordinary duress, especially emphasizing interventions that incorporate various levels of the socioecological model.