Covid‐19 in Western Australia

‘The last straw’ and hopes for a ‘new normal’ for parents of children with long‐term conditions

Bibliographic Data

ID19508074
AuthorsStephanie Smith (0000-0002-6892-4379, School of Nursing and Midwifery Edith Cowan University Perth Western Australia Australia), Mary Tallon (0000-0002-9500-0470, School of Nursing Curtin University Perth Western Australia Australia), James Smith (0000-0002-0448-8774, School of Population Health Curtin University Perth Western Australia Australia), Lauren Jones (0000-0002-6236-7874, Parent Representative Bunbury Western Australia Australia), Evalotte Mörelius (0000-0002-3256-5407, School of Nursing and Midwifery Edith Cowan University Perth Western Australia Australia, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume26
Issue5
Pages1863-1873
Publication date2023-10-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Expectations (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-6513 • E-ISSN: 1369-7625
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hex.13792
PMID37309296
OpenAlexW4380422426
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited37

BACKGROUND: Children with long-term conditions are vulnerable due to the treatments required for their conditions. Since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Western Australians experienced restrictions that changed daily life activities but were able to return to some of their previous routines due to the restrictions. AIM: The study explored the stress experiences of parents caring for children with long-term conditions during COVID-19 in Western Australia. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: The study was codesigned with a parent representative caring for children with long-term conditions to ensure essential questions were targeted. Twelve parents of children with various long-term conditions were recruited. Ten parents completed the qualitative proforma, and two parents were interviewed in November 2020. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were anonymised and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. FINDINGS: Two themes were produced: (1) 'Keep my child safe' describes the children's vulnerabilities due to their long-term conditions, the adjustments parents' made to keep their children safe and the various consequences faced. (2) 'COVID-19's silver lining' covers the positives of the COVID-19 pandemic, including their children having fewer infections, the availability of telehealth appointments, relationship improvements and the parent's hopes for a new normal where behaviours prevent transmission of infectious (e.g., hand sanitising). CONCLUSION: Western Australia provided a unique context for the COVID-19 pandemic due to no transmission of the virus severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 at the time of the study. The tend and befriend theory aids in explaining the parents' stress experiences, and the application highlights a unique aspect of this theory. Parents tended to their children during COVID-19, but many could no longer rely on others for connection, support and respite, and became further isolated in attempting to protect their children due to COVID-19 consequences. The findings highlight that some parents of children with long-term conditions need specific attention during times of pandemics. Further review is recommended to support parents through the impact of COVID-19 and similar crises. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This study was codesigned with an experienced parent representative who was part of the research team and involved throughout the research process to ensure meaningful end-user engagement and ensure essential questions and priorities were addressed

Developmental psychology · Disease · Family medicine · Geography · Pandemic · Qualitative research · Sociology · Thematic analysis · Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life · COVID-19 and Mental Health · Family and Disability Support Research · Medicine · Psychology · Pediatrics

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