Covid-19 Pandemic Process Experiences of the Healthcare Professional Mothers with Children with Special Needs

Abstract

Children frequently spend time with their parents who are the primary caregivers in early childhood period. Some factors such as working conditions, cooperation with the institution they receive service from, teachers responsible for education, and the intra-family patterns affect the motivation of parents who take various roles in supporting development of their children in this process. Parents working in the health field need support to meet the needs of their children. The participant group of the study in which phenomenologic desing, a qualitative method, was used consists of six (6) health worker mothers whose children attend the Metropolitan Municipality Barrier-Free Life Center and special education rehabilitation centers located in a city center in the Southeastern Anatolia Region. Data obtained were analyzed with content analysis method; 5 main themes and 27 sub-themes were obtained. According to findings of this study based on working life experiences of healthcare professional mothers, it draws attention that pandemic process has affected intra-family patterns. They stated they need support for care, health, and educational arrangements of children with special needs; emphasized the regulations based on family integrity, especially in terms of education and care. Suggestions to the authorities of the institutions based on the results of this study: Managers at work, teachers, and principals at school can plan processes that will provide the participation of the parents in education.