"It's Just Our New Norm": A Qualitative Analysis of COVID-19 Pandemic Stressors and Protective Factors Among Caregivers of School-Aged Children.

ABSTRACT: PurposeTo understand general COVID-19 pandemic-related stressors among caregivers of children ages 3-15, and describe institutional, interpersonal, and personal protective factors used to cope with pandemic-related stress.DesignSemi-structured, in-depth interviews.SettingMaryland.ParticipantsCaregivers of children enrolled in the COVID-19 Family Study; 38 caregivers during 2020 (T1) and 22 caregivers during repeat interviews in 2021 (T2).MethodThe research team developed interview guides informed by the Family Stress Model (FSM) for T1 and T2 interviews. Interviews were analyzed using content coding to later construct themes related to how stressors and protective factors changed over time.ResultsThe thematic analysis is described across four concepts: caregiver stressors, institutional pr

SUBMITTER: Chakrabarty A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12863439 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature