What are the Challenges and Resilience Resources Identified by Informal Carers During the First UK COVID-19 Lockdown? A Longitudinal Qualitative Study Using Naturalistic Data

Warren Donnellan*, Lily Sepulveda Garcia, Sarah M Gibson, Paige Butcher, Matthew Lariviere

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)
163 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

COVID-19 has posed serious challenges for informal carers living in the UK. This article examines some of the specific challenges facing carers and the resources they used to manage them throughout the first UK lockdown. We used a framework approach to analyse naturalistic, longitudinal data from 30 carers taking part in 96 of Mobilise’s daily Virtual Cuppas between March and July 2020. We found that lack of information and social restrictions cumulatively impacted carers’ sense of certainty, control and motivation. This took an emotional toll on the carers, leading to exhaustion and burden. However, carers quickly established new routines and used humour and self-care to actively manage their wellbeing. Carers received support but also provided it to those in need, including fellow members of the caregiving community, supporting an ecological approach to carer resilience. Our findings may be used to anticipate challenges and promote protective resilience resources in future lockdowns.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)236-246
Number of pages11
JournalQualitative Health Research
Volume33
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 26 Jan 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the Social Sciences Platform for Entrepreneurship, Commercialisation and transformation (ASPECT), the Economic and Social Research Council (Ref. ES/S002049/1), and the University of Sheffield.

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2023.

Research Groups and Themes

  • Ageing Futures
  • SPS Centre for Research in Health and Social Care

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