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“Did You Bring It Home with You?” A Qualitative Investigation of the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Victorian Frontline Healthcare Workers and Their Families

Author

Listed:
  • Jade Sheen

    (School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong 3200, Australia)

  • Elizabeth M. Clancy

    (School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong 3200, Australia)

  • Julie Considine

    (Centre for Quality and Patient Safety, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Geelong 3200, Australia)

  • Alison Dwyer

    (Eastern Health Melbourne, Box Hill 3128, Australia)

  • Phillip Tchernegovski

    (School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Australia)

  • Anna Aridas

    (School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong 3200, Australia)

  • Brian En Chyi Lee

    (School of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong 3200, Australia)

  • Andrea Reupert

    (School of Educational Psychology and Counselling, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Australia)

  • Leanne Boyd

    (Eastern Health Melbourne, Box Hill 3128, Australia)

Abstract

Concerns regarding the physical and mental health impacts of frontline healthcare roles during the COVID-19 pandemic have been well documented, but the impacts on family functioning remain unclear. This study provides a unique contribution to the literature by considering the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on frontline healthcare workers and their families. Thirty-nine frontline healthcare workers from Victoria, Australia, who were parents to at least one child under 18 were interviewed. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Five superordinate and 14 subordinate themes were identified. Themes included more family time during lockdowns, but at a cost; changes in family responsibilities and routines; managing increased demands; healthcare workers hypervigilance and fear of bringing COVID-19 home to their family members; ways in which families worked to “get through it”. While efforts have been made by many healthcare organisations to support their workers during this challenging time, the changes in family functioning observed by participants suggest that more could be done for this vulnerable cohort, particularly with respect to family support.

Suggested Citation

  • Jade Sheen & Elizabeth M. Clancy & Julie Considine & Alison Dwyer & Phillip Tchernegovski & Anna Aridas & Brian En Chyi Lee & Andrea Reupert & Leanne Boyd, 2022. "“Did You Bring It Home with You?” A Qualitative Investigation of the Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Victorian Frontline Healthcare Workers and Their Families," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-20, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:8:p:4897-:d:796025
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stephanie Chandler-Jeanville & Rita Georges Nohra & Valerie Loizeau & Corinne Lartigue-Malgouyres & Roger Zintchem & David Naudin & Monique Rothan-Tondeur, 2021. "Perceptions and Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic amongst Frontline Nurses and Their Relatives in France in Six Paradoxes: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-14, June.
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    3. Estrella Romero & Laura López-Romero & Beatriz Domínguez-Álvarez & Paula Villar & Jose Antonio Gómez-Fraguela, 2020. "Testing the Effects of COVID-19 Confinement in Spanish Children: The Role of Parents’ Distress, Emotional Problems and Specific Parenting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-23, September.
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    5. Nicola Magnavita & Paolo Maurizio Soave & Walter Ricciardi & Massimo Antonelli, 2020. "Occupational Stress and Mental Health among Anesthetists during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-14, November.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Gary Edward Schaffer & Lisa Kilanowski & Brian En Chyi Lee, 2022. "A Qualitative Investigation of the Impact of COVID-19 on United States’ Frontline Health Care Workers and the Perceived Impact on Their Family Members," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-15, August.

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