FAMILY CHALLENGES AND COPING MECHANISMS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA

Kader, Zainab; Benjamin, Fatiema; Manuel, Donnay Anthea; Mpilo, Mulalo; Titus, Simone; Roman, Nicolette V.

doi:https://doi.org/10.18357/ijcyfs154202422216

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THE CINDERELLA COMPLEX, ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, AND THE MEANING AND PURPOSE OF LIFE IN WOMEN: A WEB-BASED CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the health and well-being of families in South Africa, amplifying family challenges and requiring modifications to their coping mechanisms. While the pandemic has been successfully managed in South Africa, some challenges, such as those related to poverty, loss of income, and economic uncertainty, have been exacerbated. This study, which used an exploratory qualitative research design, sought to offer insight into the coping mechanisms of South African families used to deal with family challenges during the pandemic. Through purposive and snowball sampling, 31 participants were recruited; the majority were living in a nuclear family, but some had other arrangements. The participants were from six municipal districts in the Western Cape Province. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of this study demonstrate that the coping mechanisms families used during the COVID-19 pandemic were largely drawn from internal resources.

Keywords:

family,
family challenges,
coping mechanisms,
COVID-19,
South Africa

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Biographical notes

Zainab Kader PhD is a research fellow at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Families and Society at the University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, 7535, Republic of South Africa. Email: zkader4@gmail.com

Fatiema Benjamin MA (corresponding author) is a PhD candidate at the University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, 7535, Republic of South Africa. Email: 3333237@myuwc.ac.za

Donnay Manuel MA is a PhD candidate at the University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, 7535, Republic of South Africa. Email: donnaym@boston.co.za

Mulalo Mpilo MA is a PhD candidate at the University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Dr., Park West, Bloemfontein, 9301, South Africa. Email: MpiloMT@ufs.ac.za

Simone Titus PhD is an associate professor in Health Professions Education Department of Health Professions Education, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch Central, Stellenbosch. Email: titusdawsons@sun.ac.za

Nicolette Roman PhD is a senior professor, and the founding member of the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Families and Society, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, 7535, Republic of South Africa. Email: nroman@uwc.ac.za

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