A qualitative investigation of support workers’ experiences of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Dutch migrant families who have children with intellectual disabilities

P. M. Geuijen*, L. Vromans, P. J. C. M. Embregts

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)
77 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected families who have children with intellectual disabilities (ID). Our aim was to explore the pandemic’s impact on Dutch migrant families who have children with ID, by interviewing these families’ support workers.

Method
A descriptive qualitative methodology was employed, which resulted in semi-structured telephone interviews with 34 support workers. We selected interview transcripts that pertained to 27 Dutch migrant families who have children with ID and identified themes and subthemes using thematic analysis.

Results
Two main themes related to the pandemic emerged: (1) Work of support workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon migrant families who have children with ID.

Conclusion
The present study demonstrates that support workers particularly struggled to stay in touch with migrant families who have children with ID during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, support workers should tailor their support to the needs of migrant families.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)300-305
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability
Volume46
Issue number4
Early online date2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • HEALTH-CARE SERVICES
  • coronavirus
  • intellectual disabilities
  • migrants
  • pandemic

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