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The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Women in the Households: Qualitative Analysis of Women’s Quality of Life and Mental Health

Author

Listed:
  • Thanuja Wijesiri

    (The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

  • Gayanthi Ilangarathna

    (The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

  • Wathsala Dedunupitiya

    (The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

  • Janaka Ekanayake

    (The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

  • Sakunthala Yatigammana

    (The Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, The University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

  • Mallika Pinnawala

    (The Department of Sociology, Faculty of Arts, The University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

  • Ganga Thilakarathne

    (Institute of Policy Studies, Colombo, Sri Lanka)

  • Roshan Godaliyadda

    (The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

  • Parakrama Ekanayake

    (The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a reflective tremor worldwide, with different implications for men and women while affecting all aspects of human beings. Accordingly, this pandemic has affected women in unique gender-specific ways, particularly their traditional status as household managers. The main aim of this study is to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the quality of life and the mental health of women in Sri Lanka using qualitative research methods. The information for the study was gathered through semi-structured face-to-face interviews with 50 respondents selected using a purposive sampling technique. The collected data from the interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. The findings of the study indicated that quality of life and mental health difficulties have been exacerbated during the pandemic for many women in households in Sri Lanka. Due to the pandemic, income and consumption levels have significantly changed within the households and that has adversely impacted the quality of life of women. Government-imposed restrictions on COVID-19 have had both adverse and propitious impacts on women’s social interactions. Accordingly, it has also affected the mental health of women. This study will assist policymakers in understanding and devising appropriate policies considering the quality of life and mental health-related issues faced by women in households during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Thanuja Wijesiri & Gayanthi Ilangarathna & Wathsala Dedunupitiya & Janaka Ekanayake & Sakunthala Yatigammana & Mallika Pinnawala & Ganga Thilakarathne & Roshan Godaliyadda & Parakrama Ekanayake, 2023. "The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Women in the Households: Qualitative Analysis of Women’s Quality of Life and Mental Health," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 7(4), pages 610-622, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:7:y:2023:i:4:p:610-622
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yoshie Sano & Sheila Mammen, 2022. "Mitigating the Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Rural Low-Income Families," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 227-238, June.
    2. Terri Friedline & Zibei Chen & So’Phelia Morrow, 2021. "Families’ Financial Stress & Well-Being: The Importance of the Economy and Economic Environments," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 34-51, July.
    3. Md. Mazharul Islam & Majed Alharthi, 2022. "Impact of COVID-19 on the Quality of Life of Households in Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-22, January.
    4. Chiara Mussida & Raffaella Patimo, 2021. "Women’s Family Care Responsibilities, Employment and Health: A Tale of Two Countries," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 42(3), pages 489-507, September.
    5. Fahad D. Algahtani & Sehar-un-Nisa Hassan & Bandar Alsaif & Rafat Zrieq, 2021. "Assessment of the Quality of Life during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-12, January.
    6. Kyoung Tae Kim & Melissa J. Wilmarth, 2016. "Government Subsidies and Household Debt Burden After the Great Recession," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 37(3), pages 349-358, September.
    7. Stephen Roll & Yung Chun & Olga Kondratjeva & Mathieu Despard & Talia Meital Schwartz-Tayri & Michal Grinstein-Weiss, 2022. "Household Spending Patterns and Hardships during COVID-19: A Comparative Study of the U.S. and Israel," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 261-281, June.
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