Date Presented 04/05/2025
This interdisciplinary study investigated the self-identified protective factors that have assisted low-income and vulnerable families with young children in enhancing resilience and addressing occupational disruption and deprivation postpandemic.
Primary Author and Speaker: Melisa Kaye
Additional Authors and Speakers: Sydney Hanzalik
PURPOSE: The purpose of this interdisciplinary study was to investigate the protective factors and coping skills utilized by low-income families with young children to maintain and enhance resilience during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Families with young children were specifically impacted by stressors related to health, access to resources, financial stability, housing, childcare, and educational and work engagement during the pandemic-- factors have continued to hinder them as the pandemic resolved.
DESIGN AND METHOD: This qualitative study included low-income families (n = 24) with young children (aged 0-5 years) who were recruited from a local regional center. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to examine participant experiences during and after the pandemic. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a grounded theory methodology and consisted of open, axial, and selective coding. Overarching themes were identified and examined and research team interrater reliability was established at 90%.
RESULTS: Families experienced occupational disruption and deprivation before, during, and after the pandemic. Nevertheless, families showed resilience through the recognition and use of a consisten pattern of protective factors.
CONCLUSION: These results informed an expanded understanding of a social determinants of health (SDOH) framework to counterbalance occupational injustices. While findings indicate that SDOH create compounding hardships, vulnerable families with young children also demonstrated a determined resilience by leveraging protective factors corresponding to these same SDOH, regardless of the level of adversity faced.
IMPLICATIONS: Findings shed light on an understudied and vulnerable population who are disproportionately affected by health disparities and lack of access to resources. Practitioners should be mindful of the impact of SDOH on client experiences, and use a strengths-based approach to highlight their clients’ resilience.
References
Darawsheh, W.B. (2019) Exploration of occupational deprivation among Syrian refugees displaced in Jordan. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 73(4), 7304205030. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2019.030460
King, L., Jolicoeur-Martineau, A., Laplante, D. P., Szekely, E., Levitan, R., & Wazana, A. (2021) Measuring resilience in children: A review of recent literature and recommendations for future research. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 34(1), 10–21. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000663
Masten, A. S., & Motti-Stefanidi, F. (2020). Multisystem resilience for children and youth in disaster: Reflections in the context of COVID-19. Adversity and Resilience Science, 1, 95–106. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42844-020-00010-w
Sangster-Jokić, C. A., & Jokić-Begić, N. (2022). Occupational disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring changes to daily routines and their potential impact on mental health. Journal of Occupational Science. https://doi.org/10.1080/14427591.2021.2018024
