Investigation of Health Care Workers’ Thoughts on Parenting During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Aim: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused healthcare workers (HCWs) to face many stressors and stay away from their families due to increased workload. This study was aimed to determine the thoughts of HCWs who have children about parenting during the pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on HCWs working in Ankara Provincial Health Directorate between January-April 2022. Socio-demographic characteristics, working routines and the propositions of HCWs’ thoughts on parenting were questioned. Results: 272 HCWs participated in the study. 68.4% were female, and 78.7% were university graduates. 41.5% of the HCWs and the children of 36% had COVID-19 infection. Of the participants whose children were isolated due to COVID-19, 43.9% had to go to the workplace while their child was sick. Only 23.9% of the participants thought they could take care of their children adequately, while 69.9% thought their family life was adversely affected. 73.5% of the participants were worried about jeopardizing their child's physical health, 62.5% about their child's mental health, and 75% putting their child's needs in the background during the pandemic due to their work. Conclusion: Parents who are HCWs feel inadequate about parenting and cannot take care of their children as they would like due to their workload. The mental health of HCWs who are worried about endangering their children's physical and mental health and who think their family life is negatively affected may also be adversely affected. It is critical to improve the working conditions of HCWs, support them psychosocially and provide parental support, considering possible new outbreaks.