Mothers' and children's thoughts on COVID-19: A qualitative study

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the thoughts of preschool children and their mothers about COVID-19. DESIGN AND METHODS: This qualitative study was descriptive phenomenology design. Data were collected and analyzed through individual interviews from 26 people (13 mothers and 13 children) using a Personal Information Form and an Interview Form.After the thematic analysis, four main themes were created for the children and their mothers. RESULTS: The main themes created for mothers and children were: “Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic process, Protection, Family relations, Perspective of healthcare staff”. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the physical, psycho-social, and economic health, spirituality and family relationships of mothers. It became evident that children knew the terms related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Children dreamt of activities they missed and stated that at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, they would go to the park, the pool, shopping centers, to school, and on vacation. Most of the mothers and children followed the rules of protection. In addition, mothers and children stated that their perspectives on healthcarestaff changed positively after the pandemic started. CONCLUSIONS: Considering that COVID-19 affects individuals bio-psycho-socially, it is crucial for health professionals to know the thoughts of individuals, families and children about COVID-19 to increase their awareness of potential problems.