scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and wellbeing of parents with young children: a qualitative interview study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Dawes ◽  
Tom May ◽  
Alison Ruth McKinlay ◽  
Daisy Fancourt ◽  
Alexandra Burton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Lone Parents ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Multiple Pressures

Background Parents have faced unique challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including mobility constraints, isolation measures, working from home, and the closure of schools and childcare facilities. There is presently a lack of in-depth qualitative research exploring how these changes have affected parents mental health and wellbeing. Methods Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 29 parents of young children. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results We identified five superordinate themes affecting participant mental health and wellbeing: 1) navigation of multiple responsibilities and change inside the home; 2) disruption to home life; 3) changes to usual support networks; 4) changes in personal relationships; and 5) use of coping strategies. Participants described stress and exhaustion from navigating multiple pressures and conflicting responsibilities with home, schooling, and work, without their usual support networks and in the context of disrupted routines. Family roles and relationships were sometimes tested, however, many parents identified coping strategies that protected their wellbeing including access to outdoor space, spending time away from family, and avoiding conflict and pandemic-related media coverage. Conclusions Employers must be cognisant of the challenges that the pandemic has placed on parents, particularly women and lone parents. Flexible working arrangements and support might therefore relieve stress and increase productivity. Coping strategies identified by parents in this study could be harnessed and encouraged by employers and policymakers to promote positive wellbeing during times of stress throughout the pandemic and beyond.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and wellbeing of parents with young children: a qualitative interview study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Dawes ◽  
Tom May ◽  
Alison McKinlay ◽  
Daisy Fancourt ◽  
Alexandra Burton
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Lone Parents ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
Multiple Pressures

Abstract Background Parents have faced unique challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including mobility constraints, isolation measures, working from home, and the closure of schools and childcare facilities. There is presently a lack of in-depth qualitative research exploring how these changes have affected parents’ mental health and wellbeing. Methods Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 29 parents of young children. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results We identified five superordinate themes affecting participant mental health and wellbeing: (1) navigation of multiple responsibilities and change inside the home; (2) disruption to home life; (3) changes to usual support networks; (4) changes in personal relationships; and (5) use of coping strategies. Participants described stress and exhaustion from navigating multiple pressures and conflicting responsibilities with home, schooling, and work, without their usual support networks and in the context of disrupted routines. Family roles and relationships were sometimes tested, however, many parents identified coping strategies that protected their wellbeing including access to outdoor space, spending time away from family, and avoiding conflict and pandemic-related media coverage. Conclusions Employers must be cognisant of the challenges that the pandemic has placed on parents, particularly women and lone parents. Flexible working arrangements and support might therefore relieve stress and increase productivity. Coping strategies identified by parents in this study could be harnessed and encouraged by employers and policymakers to promote positive wellbeing during times of stress throughout the pandemic and beyond.

scholarly journals Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health and wellbeing of adults with mental health conditions in the UK: A qualitative interview study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Burton ◽  
Alison McKinlay ◽  
Henry Aughterson ◽  
Daisy Fancourt
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Protective Factors ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study

AbstractBackgroundPeople with mental health conditions have been identified as particularly vulnerable to poor mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, why this population have faced these adverse effects, how they have experienced them and how they have coped during the pandemic remains under-explored.AimsTo explore how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental health of people with existing mental health conditions, and to identify protective factors and coping strategies applied to support positive mental health.MethodSemi-structured qualitative interviews and thematic analysis with 22 people with pre-existing mental health conditions.ResultsFive pandemic related factors contributed to a deterioration in mental health: i) feeling safe but isolated at home ii) disruption to mental health services, iii) cancelled plans and changed routines iv) uncertainty and lack of control, and v) rolling media coverage. Five coping strategies and protective factors were identified for maintaining mental health: i) previous experience of adversity ii) feeling less accountable to others iii) engaging in hobbies and activities, iv) staying connected with others, and v) perceived social support.ConclusionsParticular challenges were identified that were a direct result of the pandemic and people with severe mental illnesses were particularly negatively affected. However, some participants found this period a time of respite, were able to draw upon reserves of resilience and adapt their coping strategies to maintain positive wellbeing.

scholarly journals Experiences of living with mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: a coproduced, participatory qualitative interview study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Gillard ◽  
Ceri Dare ◽  
Jackie Hardy ◽  
Patrick Nyikavaranda ◽  
Rachel Rowan Olive ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
The Impact

AbstractPurposeResearch is beginning to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on people with pre-existing mental health conditions. Our paper addresses a lack of in-depth qualitative research exploring their experiences and perceptions of how life has changed at this time.MethodsWe used qualitative interviews (N=49) to explore experiences of the pandemic for people with pre-existing mental health conditions. In a participatory, coproduced approach, researchers with lived experiences of mental health conditions conducted interviews and analysed data as part of a multi-disciplinary research team.ResultsExisting mental health difficulties were exacerbated for many people. People experienced specific psychological impacts of the pandemic, struggles with social connectedness, and inadequate access to mental health services, while some found new ways to cope and connect to community. New remote ways to access mental health care, including digital solutions, provided continuity of care for some but presented substantial barriers for others. People from black and ethnic minority (BAME) communities experienced heightened anxiety, stigma and racism associated with the pandemic, further impacting their mental health.ConclusionThere is a need for evidence-based solutions to achieve accessible and effective mental health care in response to the pandemic, especially remote approaches to care. Further research should explore the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on people with pre-existing mental health conditions. Particular attention should be paid to understanding inequalities of impact on mental health, especially for people from BAME communities.

scholarly journals Assessment of How House Ownership Shapes Health Outcomes in Urban Ghana

Societies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Delali A. Dovie
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Home Ownership ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Support Networks ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Multi Stage

Background: This study investigates home ownership and its apparent health outcomes in Urban Ghana, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative datasets. Methods: The sample for the study consisted of 442 respondents using a multi-stage sampling technique. Results: The context in which houses are situated affects social support networks, physical and mental health outcomes. House ownership is then a precondition that enables social contact within neighborhoods. A Cramer’s V test value of 0.750 suggests a strong association between house ownership and health outcomes. Conclusion: House acquisition and ownership can potentially improve overall physical, and mental health and wellbeing.

scholarly journals Doing and rethinking. Building resilience with men

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 185-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Robinson ◽  
Steve Robertson ◽  
Mary Steen ◽  
Gary Raine ◽  
Rhiannon Day
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Mental States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Context Sensitive ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Resilience Intervention ◽  
And Coping

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present findings from an evaluation of a mental health resilience intervention for unemployed men aged 45-60. The focus is on examining the place of activities within a multi-dimensional men’s mental health programme, and exploring interactions between social context factors and models of change. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on before and after survey data and qualitative interviews, to report results concerning effectiveness in changing men’s perceived resilience, to consider project processes concerning activities, social support and coping strategies, and to situate these within wider environments. Findings – The programme significantly raised the perceived resilience of participants. Activities were engaging for men, while the complex intersection between activities, social networking, and coping strategies course provided opportunities for men to develop resilience in contexts resonant with their male identities. Research limitations/implications – A limitation is that the evaluation could not measure longer term impacts. Practical implications – The paper discusses emerging considerations for resilience building, focusing on gender-sensitive approaches which can engage and retain men by focusing on doing and talking, in the contexts of men’s life-course, highlighting embodied (male) identities not disembodied “mental states”, and facilitating social support. There are challenges to recruit men despite stigma, support men to speak of feelings, and facilitate progression. Social implications – Potential exists for gender-aware programmes to sustain salutogenic change, co-producing social assets of peer support, male-friendly activities, and context sensitive course provision. Originality/value – The paper adds fresh evidence of gendered intervention approaches, including effects on male resilience. Application of a context-sensitive change model leads to multi-component findings for transferring and sustaining programme gains.

scholarly journals Paradoxical family practices: LGBTQ+ young people, mental health and wellbeing

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 535-553
Author(s):  
Jacqui Gabb ◽  
Elizabeth McDermott ◽  
Rachael Eastham ◽  
Ali Hanbury
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Family Relationships ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Conceptual Tool ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Family Practices ◽  
Diary Methods

This article will explore how LGBTQ+ young people sustain, and in some cases survive, family relationships. We develop the concept of ‘paradoxical family practices’ and use this to demonstrate the ways in which LGBTQ+ young people manage family life through everyday emotion work. This highlights: (1) how families ordinarily navigate heteronormativity and ‘issues’ of gender/sexuality; (2) the efficacy of ‘paradoxical family practices’ as a conceptual tool; (3) the value of emotion-centred multiple qualitative methods to explore the lives of LGBTQ+ young people and mental health. Findings derive from a small-scale UK study funded by the Wellcome Trust (UNS39780) and were generated through a two-stage methodology comprising digital/paper emotion maps and qualitative interviews with LGBTQ+ young people aged 16–25 (n = 12) followed by diary methods and follow-up interviews (n = 9). Interviews were also completed with ‘family members’ (n = 7).

scholarly journals "I had no life. I was only existing". Factors shaping the mental health and wellbeing of people experiencing long Covid: a qualitative study.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Burton ◽  
Henry Aughterson ◽  
Daisy Fancourt ◽  
Keir Elmslie James Philip
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Antibody Test ◽  
Illness Onset ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Persistent Symptoms ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Background Around one in 10 people who have COVID-19 report persistent symptoms or "long Covid". Impaired mental health and wellbeing is commonly reported including anxiety, depression and reduced quality of life. There is however, limited in-depth research exploring why mental health and wellbeing have been impacted among people experiencing long Covid. Aims To explore factors impacting mental health and wellbeing, from the perspective of people with long Covid. Method Semi-structured qualitative interviews that were audio-recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. 21 people with long Covid participated in the study. Participants were eligible to take part if they self-reported a positive swab test/antibody test, or one or more commonly reported COVID-19 symptoms at illness onset and experiences of one or more long Covid symptom three or more weeks following illness onset. Results Five themes were identified across participant accounts regarding factors impacting mental health and wellbeing including i) experiences of care and understanding from others; ii) lack of service and treatment options; iii) severe disruption to daily life iv) uncertainty of illness trajectories and v) changes to identity. Conclusions People with long Covid experience a range of factors that negatively impact their mental health and wellbeing. Providing patient centred health services that integrate the rapidly evolving research in this area is important, as are peer support groups and supported approaches to self-management.

scholarly journals Experiences of living with mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: a coproduced, participatory qualitative interview study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Gillard ◽  
◽  
Ceri Dare ◽  
Jackie Hardy ◽  
Patrick Nyikavaranda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose Research is beginning to quantify the impact of COVID-19 on people with pre-existing mental health conditions. Our paper addresses a lack of in-depth qualitative research exploring their experiences and perceptions of how life has changed at this time. Methods We used qualitative interviews (N = 49) to explore experiences of the pandemic for people with pre-existing mental health conditions. In a participatory, coproduced approach, researchers with lived experiences of mental health conditions conducted interviews and analysed data as part of a multi-disciplinary research team. Results Existing mental health difficulties were exacerbated for many people. People experienced specific psychological impacts of the pandemic, struggles with social connectedness, and inadequate access to mental health services, while some found new ways to cope and connect to the community. New remote ways to access mental health care, including digital solutions, provided continuity of care for some but presented substantial barriers for others. People from black and ethnic minority (BAME) communities experienced heightened anxiety, stigma and racism associated with the pandemic, further impacting their mental health. Conclusion There is a need for evidence-based solutions to achieve accessible and effective mental health care in response to the pandemic, especially remote approaches to care. Further research should explore the long-term impacts of COVID-19 on people with pre-existing mental health conditions. Particular attention should be paid to understanding inequalities of impact on mental health, especially for people from BAME communities.

scholarly journals Adolescents’ perceived barriers and facilitators to seeking and accessing professional help for anxiety and depressive disorders: a qualitative interview study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerica Radez ◽  
Tessa Reardon ◽  
Cathy Creswell ◽  
Faith Orchard ◽  
Polly Waite
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Depressive Disorders ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Barriers And Facilitators ◽  
Social Evaluation ◽  
Professional Help ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study

AbstractAnxiety and depressive disorders are the most common mental health disorders in adolescents, yet only a minority of young people with these disorders access professional help. This study aims to address this treatment gap by improving our understanding of barriers and facilitators to seeking/accessing professional help as perceived by adolescents with anxiety/depressive disorders identified in the community. Twenty-two adolescents, aged 11–17 years, who met diagnostic criteria for a current anxiety and/or depressive disorder were identified through school-based screening. In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted one-to-one with each adolescent and adolescents’ parents were interviewed separately for the purpose of data triangulation. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. We identified four themes capturing adolescent perceived barriers and facilitators to seeking/accessing professional help for anxiety and depressive disorders: (1) making sense of difficulties, (2) problem disclosure, (3) ambivalence to seeking help, and (4) the instrumental role of others. Barriers/facilitators identified within each theme reflect important developmental characteristics of adolescence, such as a growing need for autonomy and concerns around negative social evaluation. At the same time, the results highlight adolescents’ dependency on other people, mainly their parents and school staff, when it comes to successfully accessing professional help for their mental health difficulties. This study identifies a number of barriers/facilitators that influence help-seeking behaviour of adolescents with anxiety and/or depressive disorders. These factors need to be addressed when targeting treatment utilisation rates in this particular group of young people.

scholarly journals Exploring patient experiences coping with using multiple medications: a qualitative interview study

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. e046860
Author(s):  
Julie C Lauffenburger ◽  
Nancy Haff ◽  
Marie E McDonnell ◽  
Daniel H Solomon ◽  
Elliott M Antman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Illness Perceptions ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Prescription Medications ◽  
Medication Regimen ◽  
Performance Incentives ◽  
Oral Medications ◽  
Qualitative Interview Study ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Patients Experience

ObjectiveLong-term adherence to evidence-based medications in cardiometabolic diseases remains poor, despite extensive efforts to develop and test interventions and deploy clinician performance incentives. The limited success of interventions may be due to ignored factors such as patients’ experience of medication-taking. Despite being potentially addressable by clinicians, these factors have not been sufficiently explored, which is particularly important as patients use increasing numbers of medications. The aim is to explore patient perspectives on medication-taking, medication properties that are barriers to adherence, and coping strategies for their medication regimen.DesignIndividual, in-person, semistructured qualitative interviews.SettingUrban healthcare system.ParticipantsTwenty-six adults taking ≥2 oral medications for diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidaemia with non-adherence. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed. Data were analysed using developed codes to generate themes. Representative quotations were selected to illustrate themes.ResultsParticipants’ mean age was 55 years, 46% were female and 39% were non-white. Six key themes were identified: (1) medication-taking viewed as a highly inconvenient action (that patients struggle to remember to do); (2) negative implications because of inconvenience or illness perceptions; (3) actual medication regimens can deviate substantially from prescribed regimens; (4) certain medication properties (especially size and similar appearance with others) may contribute to adherence deviations; (5) development of numerous coping strategies to overcome barriers and (6) suggestions to make medication-taking easier (including reducing drug costs, simplifying regimen or dosing frequency and creating more palatable medications).ConclusionPatients with poor adherence often find taking prescription medications to be undesirable and take them differently than prescribed in part due to properties of the medications themselves and coping strategies they have developed to overcome medication-taking challenges. Interventions that reduce the inconvenience of medication use and tailor medications to individual needs may be a welcome development.

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