Lived Experiences of Mothers Working in the Health Sector during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Rezaei, Elham; Tavakoli, Mahtab; Mousavi, Sayyedali

Volume 23, Issue 27 (2-2025) JNIP 2025, 23(27): 1-23 | Back to browse issues page

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Rezaei E, Tavakoli M, Mousavi S. Lived Experiences of Mothers Working in the Health Sector during the Covid-19 Pandemic. JNIP 2025; 23 (27) :1-23
URL: http://jnip.ir/article-1-1347-en.html

Lived Experiences of Mothers Working in the Health Sector during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Elham Rezaei ^*

, Mahtab Tavakoli

, Sayyedali Mousavi

Department of Psychology and Counseling, Kho.C., Islamic Azad University, Khomeinishahr, Iran

Abstract: (28 Views)

The aim of this study is to explore and explain the lived experiences of mothers working in the health sector during the Covid-19 pandemic. Using a phenomenological approach, this study examined various dimensions of these experiences, including professional challenges, family pressures, coping strategies, and psychological and social consequences resulting from the simultaneous role of work and motherhood in health crisis conditions. In terms of methodology, this study is applied and qualitative and is within the framework of interpretive paradigms. The statistical population includes all mothers working in the health sector in Isfahan between May and June 1401. A purposive non-random sampling method was used to select the interviewees. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and four criteria of validity, reliability, transferability, and confirmability were used to assess validity. Also, the reliability of the instrument was evaluated and confirmed using the intra-subject agreement method of two coders. Data analysis was conducted using hermeneutic phenomenology with an emphasis on Van Manen's perspective and method. The research findings indicate comprehensive and diverse themes that have affected the quality of life and performance of these mothers. One of the main themes is the limitation of relationships, which is visible as a communication consequence and is related to the change of roles and guilt due to the mother's employment. This guilt leads to emotional breakdown and mood problems in mothers and their children. In addition, monitoring and time problems as behavioral consequences, along with increased strictness and behavioral problems in children, have created serious challenges in family management. Mothers also faced interpersonal problems such as difficulty in forming friendships and communication problems in educational and family environments, which led to reduced motivation and procrastination in children. Parental concerns due to increased workload and excessive use of cyberspace also affected mothers' mood and emotional problems. Finally, the lack of appropriate learning conditions and difficulties in expressing meaning severely affected the quality of education and social interactions of families, clearly demonstrating the multiple and profound challenges of working mothers in these critical circumstances.

Keywords: Phenomenology, Working Mothers, Covid-19

Full-Text [PDF 611 kb] (9 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2025/01/17 | Revised: 2025/02/11 | Accepted: 2025/02/23 | Published: 2025/02/28