Low-Income Caregivers with Young Children Experience Risk and Resilience Through Pandemic-Related Stressors

In March 2020, United States government implemented health and safety mandates, including school closures, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). As a result, some caregivers with young children were forced to take on new roles. Low-income households with young children appeared to be more highly impacted than other groups, experiencing acute pandemic-related stressors on top of previous vulnerabilities. Using qualitative analysis, this study examined how low-income caregivers with young children adapted to pandemic-related stressors and how stressors may have altered relationships and well-being in the household (Daks et al., 2020). Two research questions were examined: (1) how have relationships been altered by the pandemic, and (2) how have pandemic-related resource disruptions impacted well-being? Low-income caregiver responses (N= 38) to two open-response questions were analyzed using a thematic analysis approach. Researchers extracted four themes answering the research questions. Findings delineate that low-income caregivers with increased resources appeared to build stronger relationships with their child/ren, whereas caregivers who encountered more stressors reported reduced feelings of well-being. Additionally, young children experienced feelings of isolation, as they missed relationships outside of the household. When lockdowns were lifted, their relationships outside the household were reported to have improved. These findings can be used to support families and young children in areas where they are most vulnerable post-pandemic