The emotional neglect potentials of nurses working in the COVID-19 service towards their children: A qualitative study

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine in depth the potential child emotional neglect behaviors of nurses working in the COVID-19 service, and their feelings, thoughts, and experiences regarding the causes and effects on their children. DESIGN AND METHODS: The study was designed as a qualitative study based on a descriptive phenomenological approach. A purposeful sample of service providers (N = 22) in the COVID-19 clinics of the region's largest hospital in northeast Turkey in terms of education and patient care were recruited for the study. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews using the individual in-depth face-to-face interview method. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed with Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis method. The research was reported by following Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research-COREQ. RESULTS: The findings enabled the identification of four unique themes expressed by the participants: parent-child interaction, social impact, physiological impact, and psychological impact. The first theme consists of adversely affected time nurses spent with their children, decreased physical contact, and communication problems; the second theme includes nurses' and their children's social isolation and social stigma; the third theme includes a change in eating habits and daily activities; the fourth theme includes fear of losing parents and emotional change. CONCLUSIONS AND PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: To prevent the increased emotional neglect potential due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to regulate the working conditions of parents who are nursing professionals and support the parent/child emotionally and psychologically.