Identifying Concern and Stress of Parents, Students and Teachers  with the Social Distance Planning Process and Reopening of  Schools during Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Saeed  Bashirian; Majid  Barati; Maryam  Afshari; Seyedeh Somayeh  Mirmoini; Javad Zavar  Chahar Tagh

doi:10.18502/jsbch.v6i1.9526

Saeed Bashirian Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Majid Barati Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Maryam Afshari Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Seyedeh Somayeh Mirmoini Occupational Health, Health Center of Tuiserkan, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
Javad Zavar Chahar Tagh Public Health, Health Center of Tuiserkan, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jsbch.v6i1.9526

Keywords: Stress, Parents, Students, School teachers, Covid-19.

Abstract

Background: With the closure of schools as a result of the social distancing plan, the negative emotions that individuals experience became complicated. Therefore, the present study provided a deep understanding of the concerns and stresses of parents, students, and teachers about the process of social distance planning and reopening of schools during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This directed qualitative content analysis was conducted in 2020. The data for this study were collected through semi-structured interviews with teachers (n=28), students (n=20), and their parents (n=32) in Tuiserkan County. Sampling was performed by purposeful sampling method with the maximum variation. Data analysis was performed simultaneously with data, collected by content analysis method.

Results: In general, 90% of participants were stressed and concerned about the social distancing plan and the reopening of schools during Covid-19 pandemic. During data analysis, 74 primary codes, 13 sub-themes and 4 themes were obtained. The themes included predisposing factors (knowledge and attitude), reinforcing factors, enabling factors, and quality of life.

Conclusion: Identifying and explaining the concerns and stress of parents, students and teachers about the process of social distance planning and reopening of schools during infectious diseases such as COVID-19 pandemic will help policy-makers and administrators for planning and interventions related to this.