Naslov
Effects of COVID-19 related restrictive measures on parents of children with developmental difficulties

Autori
Lučić, Lana ; Brkljačić, Tihana ; Brajša-Žganec, Andreja

Izvornik
Journal of children's services (1746-6660) 15 (2020), 4; 229-234

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
distance learning ; social distance ; COVID-19 ; pandemic lockdown ; parents of children with difficulties ; school closure

Sažetak
Purpose: Social distancing and school closures have changed the lives of many parents around the globe. In addition to these problems, parents of children with developmental difficulties (DD) have faced additional stressors that make them even more susceptible to higher stress levels and the onset or worsening of anxiety or depression. Consequentially, these stressors may have an indirect effect on parental functioning and children with DD owing to the spillover effect. Design/methodology/approach: The purpose of this paper is to draw attention to parents of children with DD through an overview of possible additional stressors that have appeared during the corona virus pandemic in Croatia. In writing this viewpoint paper, three sources were consulted: official state documents, communication with professionals (e.g. speech therapists) and online support groups for parents of children with DD. Findings: Restrictive measures during the lockdown led to a lack of both formal and informal support for parents of children with DD. Moreover, the possibility of infection led to higher levels of fear among these parents ; children with DD also encountered problems coping with both the restrictive measures and the demands of distance learning. Practical implications: This paper may present a good starting point for both governments and NGOs when discussing and planning further advancement in the quality of response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a ‘‘recovery’’ response after the crisis. This overview may provide better insight into COVID-19–related consequences among parents of children with DD, which is vital to increasing the effectiveness of future measures and actions. Originality/value: Although some negative effects of the pandemic on children have already been discussed by several authors, little attention has been paid to parents, and even less so to parents of children with DD. This paper may even represent a pioneering work in exploring the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on this population group.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Psihologija

POVEZANOST RADA