Caregiving during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploration of Lived Experiences of Caregivers of Neurodivergent Children

Description

Page: 470-475

Anannya Rohatgi¹ and Nandita Babu² (Department of Psychology, University of Delhi, New Delhi1,2
School of Health Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom¹ and Divisions of Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Eating Disorders, Manchester Global Foundation, Manchester, United Kingdom²)

This study aimed to understand the experiences of the caregivers of neurodivergent children, during the pandemic. For this purpose, the objective of this study was to explore the lived experiences of primary caregivers of neurodivergent children during the pandemic, more specifically, to understand the stress and coping experiences of the primary caregivers during the pandemic, and to explore if and how the caregivers’ perspectives changed through the pandemic. The study used a qualitative research design. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews based on a predetermined interview guide. Five Indian mothers of neurodivergent children were interviewed. All participants were the primary caregivers for their respective children and handled caregiving responsibilities full-time. The interviews were analyzed using the Thematic Network Analysis Framework (Attride-Sterling, 2001). The emergent global themes were: (i) Stress and Coping; (ii) Social Identity of a Caregiver; (iii) Significance of Social Support; and (iv) Change in Perspectives. The findings of this study have implications for planning interventions for caregivers of neurodivergent children to prepare them and provide adequate support to caregivers under such adverse circumstances. The findings of the study can be used to provide the information to create support systems at the psychological, social, financial and community levels.