“Coronavirus Changed the Rules on Everything”: Parent Perspectives on How the COVID-19 Pandemic Influenced Family Routines, Relationships and Technology Use in Families with Infants

Rebecca Hood, Juliana Zabatiero, Desiree Silva, Stephen R. Zubrick and Leon Straker
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Rebecca Hood: School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia
Juliana Zabatiero: School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia
Desiree Silva: Telethon Kids Institute, Perth 6009, Australia
Stephen R. Zubrick: Telethon Kids Institute, Perth 6009, Australia
Leon Straker: School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-18

Abstract: This study explores how the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic influenced family routines, relationships and technology use (smartphones and tablet computers) among families with infants. Infancy is known to be an important period for attachment security and future child development, and a time of being susceptible to changes within and outside of the family unit. A qualitative design using convenience sampling was employed. A total of 30 mothers in Perth, Western Australia participated in semi-structured interviews by audio or video call. All mothers were parents of infants aged 9 to 15 months old. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, and data were analysed using thematic analysis to code and identify themes in an inductive manner. Families described staying home and stopping all external activities. Three themes relating to family interactions and wellbeing were found: enhanced family relationships; prompted reflection on family schedules; and increased parental stress. Two themes related to family device use were found: enabled connections to be maintained; and source of disrupted interactions within the family unit. Overall, participants described more advantages than downsides of device use during COVID-19. Findings will be of value in providing useful information for families, health professionals and government advisors for use during future pandemic-related restrictions.

Keywords: children; COVID-19; family relationships; mobile touch screen device use; screen time; technology use; thematic analysis; qualitative research; the ORIGINS Project (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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