Caregiver decision-making on young child schooling/care in the face of COVID-19: The influence of child, caregiver, and systemic factors. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Quetsch, Lauren B.; Jackson, Carrie B.; Onovbiona, Harlee; Bradley, Rebecca
• Is Part Of: Children and youth services review. Volume 136(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: Caregivers -- Decision-making -- COVID-19 -- Children -- Schooling -- Daycare; Social work with children -- Periodicals; Social work with youth -- Periodicals; Adolescent -- Periodicals; Child Welfare -- Periodicals; Social Work -- Periodicals; Service social aux enfants -- Périodiques; Service social à la jeunesse -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 362.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.childyouth.2022.106437
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0190-7409

Abstract

Highlights: Caregivers shared how they chose their child's schooling during the COVID-19 crisis. Caregivers provided both quantitative and qualitative feedback. For many, children's social and emotional development was the most important factor. Caregivers also weighed child, caregiver, and systemic factors. The schooling decision caused significant stress and low confidence for caregivers. Abstract: In March 2020, U.S. schools and daycares largely shut down to manage the novel COVID-19 pandemic. As the country made efforts to reopen the economy, American parents faced difficult decisions regarding returning to work and securing schooling and care for their young children. During the summer and fall of 2020, caregivers ( N = 1655) of children ( N = 2408; ages 0 – 12 years) completed questionnaires assessing their decision-making process regarding their children's daycare or schooling situation. A mixed method approach (i.e., qualitative, quantitative assessments) was utilized. Outcomes indicated three main themes that impacted caregivers' choices: child factors, caregiver factors, and systemic factors. Caregivers experienced high levels of stress while worrying about their child's and family's health, job responsibilities, and risk of COVID-19 infection rates in their areas. Continued assessment of families and children during this time is warranted.