Volume 21, Issue 81 (8-2021)
refahj 2021, 21(81): 15-50 |
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pourmousavi khangheshlaghi M, khodadadi sangde J, Kalaee A. (2021). Corona Home-quarantine Opportunity Creation Model Based on Perceived Opportunities and Threats. refahj. 21(81), 15-50.
URL: http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3774-en.html
URL: http://refahj.uswr.ac.ir/article-1-3774-en.html
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Extended Abstract
Introduction: Covid-19 is a type of infectious disease, which has recently turned into a pandemic. Before the spread of disease in Wuhan (China) in December, there has been no sign of the disease recognized. Scientists are trying to find a cure for the disease; however, due to no certain treatment option available, public health strategies have been more or less implemented in all countries to control the spread of the disease. Since Covid-19 pandemic is continuously spreading almost in all countries; numerous protective actions have been taken by authorities in different fields, including putting the end to activity of schools, universities, as well as cultural, sports, social, and religious activities, in addition to travel ban. Staying at home and usual routine of life being disturbed, reduction of contacts (natural and social) with other people will mostly lead to boredom and frustration, as well as feeling isolated from rest of the world. Naturally, this is not so pleasant for those people put in quarantine. This frustration will be intensified due to routine works such as buying basic requirements not possible to be done and/or becoming active in social networks through telephone or internet.
Method: In terms of methodology, this qualitative research is of phenomenological type. Therefore, in the research lived experience of women living in Tehran was studied to see if quarantine is a threat or an opportunity. Phenomenology has been applied from among numerous qualitative approaches. To do so, 12 women residing in Tehran have been interviewed. Research sample size has been determined via theoretical saturation. To select participants, purposive sampling method has been used. The most important criterion in purposive sampling is selecting an individual capable of providing enough required information in answering the research questions. In 2020, researchers interviewed some women through phone and video calls, as there has been no possibility for face to face interview. To select participants in the research, entrance criteria have been as follows: 1- Having minimum five years of married life; 2- Having minimum one child; and, 3- Voluntary participation in the research. Exit criteria from the research included those women not completing the research process and/or their lack of entrance criteria becoming clear during the research process.
Data collection tool has been semi-structured interview. To record interviews, a voice recorder was used by the researcher. Interview questions were developed by the researchers in semi-structured form and after verification of face validity, main interviews were performed. Main questions included: “What have you done during quarantine?”; “How did the time pass during quarantine period?”; “How was your behavior with your husband and children?”; and, “What have been advantages and disadvantages of quarantine for you and your family?”., etc. However, some follow up questions and those to create clarity have also been asked. Different questions were asked due to different problems stated by each individual. To study and verify validity and reliability of data, evaluation method of participants and external viewer was used. Data were transcribed and sent to those being interviewed so that their confirmation would be achieved. External viewer has been supervising all the stages of conducting interviews; and data collection and analysis processes were also reviewed and confirmed.
To analyze qualitative data, thematic analysis was employed which is the most efficient analyzing method of qualitative data, especially in phenomenological researches. In thematic analysis, units of meaning are keywords or analytical hierarchies extracted from the lived experiences or what have been told by participants. Thematic analysis has different stages which have to be gone through by every researcher so that hidden and obvious content of text studied would become clear and goals set by the research would be met.
Findings: Average age range of females was 36.75 and that of males was 40.58; average duration of interviews was 48.5 minutes; and average number of children was reported to be 1.6. Those being interviews have had average married life of 12.5 years. In terms of education, four participants had high school diplomas and lower education level; two had associate degree; two had bachelor’s degree; three had Master’s degree, and one has had doctorate degree.
Categories obtained from interviews were divided into six categories of family, individual, spiritual, economic, social, and health groups. Interviewees’ experiments were placed in two categories of threats and opportunities. Finally sub-categories also were extracted. Table 1 shows these findings.
Table 1- Research findings
Discussion: The six categories of family, individual, spiritual, economic, social, and health dimensions were obtained from interviews; and, what have been experienced by women were categorized into two sections of opportunities and threats. Interviewees have taken quarantine into consideration both as opportunity and threat. That is, dependence in family, creation of more intimacy among family members, individual thinking and growth, sometimes spiritual improvement through resorting to Imams and God, tolerating difficult economic situation through entrepreneurship and saving, social dimension becoming of importance and the point that life of other people is subject to observations made by individuals, increasing Jihadi activities and society members becoming unified, individual health becoming of high importance in addition to its importance in terms of collective health have all been from positive points stated by women in relation to quarantine period. On the other hand, negative points during quarantine included economic pressure imposed on families, family members being in continuous contact and leading to tension, women’s responsibility becoming more and leading to their fatigue, children becoming bored and more stress being imposed on mothers, being afraid of ambiguous unpredictable future, being afraid of becoming sick, complaining to God, and showing regret regarding inconsiderate people in society. No research was found to cover up all of the concepts; however, the one performed by Bie et al. confirms fatigue, insomnia, hatred towards working, and staying away from others which is consistent with the results of the present research. Some dispersed studies also performed in terms of psychology during quarantine, including confusion, fear; anger, feeling guilty, numbness, and insomnia., etc. showed that people have been afraid of their own health or regarding transmission of disease. The results of the present research are consistent with those of the aforementioned studies.
In terms of economic concerns referred to by women, the research performed by Brux et al. showed that financial concerns can be regarded as negative consequences of quarantine as most jobs have become suspended during the period, and it is in line with the findings of the current study. Howri Look et al. (2004) have concluded in their research that those individuals with low income are more prone to depression and post traumatic disorders. In the present research as well, interviewees in quarantine have been expecting the authorities to solve their financial problems so that one of the biggest concerns of them would be eliminated.
Ethical considerations
Funds
This article has no financial backing.
Contribution of authors
All authors have contributed to the design, implementation and writing of all sections of the present study.
Conflict of interest
According to the authors, there is no conflict of interest in this article.
Adherence to the principles of research ethics
The authors have observed all the ethical points in this article, including informed consent, good behavior and avoiding harm to participants, building trust and not distorting the data in this article. We would also like to thank all the participants.
Introduction: Covid-19 is a type of infectious disease, which has recently turned into a pandemic. Before the spread of disease in Wuhan (China) in December, there has been no sign of the disease recognized. Scientists are trying to find a cure for the disease; however, due to no certain treatment option available, public health strategies have been more or less implemented in all countries to control the spread of the disease. Since Covid-19 pandemic is continuously spreading almost in all countries; numerous protective actions have been taken by authorities in different fields, including putting the end to activity of schools, universities, as well as cultural, sports, social, and religious activities, in addition to travel ban. Staying at home and usual routine of life being disturbed, reduction of contacts (natural and social) with other people will mostly lead to boredom and frustration, as well as feeling isolated from rest of the world. Naturally, this is not so pleasant for those people put in quarantine. This frustration will be intensified due to routine works such as buying basic requirements not possible to be done and/or becoming active in social networks through telephone or internet.
Method: In terms of methodology, this qualitative research is of phenomenological type. Therefore, in the research lived experience of women living in Tehran was studied to see if quarantine is a threat or an opportunity. Phenomenology has been applied from among numerous qualitative approaches. To do so, 12 women residing in Tehran have been interviewed. Research sample size has been determined via theoretical saturation. To select participants, purposive sampling method has been used. The most important criterion in purposive sampling is selecting an individual capable of providing enough required information in answering the research questions. In 2020, researchers interviewed some women through phone and video calls, as there has been no possibility for face to face interview. To select participants in the research, entrance criteria have been as follows: 1- Having minimum five years of married life; 2- Having minimum one child; and, 3- Voluntary participation in the research. Exit criteria from the research included those women not completing the research process and/or their lack of entrance criteria becoming clear during the research process.
Data collection tool has been semi-structured interview. To record interviews, a voice recorder was used by the researcher. Interview questions were developed by the researchers in semi-structured form and after verification of face validity, main interviews were performed. Main questions included: “What have you done during quarantine?”; “How did the time pass during quarantine period?”; “How was your behavior with your husband and children?”; and, “What have been advantages and disadvantages of quarantine for you and your family?”., etc. However, some follow up questions and those to create clarity have also been asked. Different questions were asked due to different problems stated by each individual. To study and verify validity and reliability of data, evaluation method of participants and external viewer was used. Data were transcribed and sent to those being interviewed so that their confirmation would be achieved. External viewer has been supervising all the stages of conducting interviews; and data collection and analysis processes were also reviewed and confirmed.
To analyze qualitative data, thematic analysis was employed which is the most efficient analyzing method of qualitative data, especially in phenomenological researches. In thematic analysis, units of meaning are keywords or analytical hierarchies extracted from the lived experiences or what have been told by participants. Thematic analysis has different stages which have to be gone through by every researcher so that hidden and obvious content of text studied would become clear and goals set by the research would be met.
Findings: Average age range of females was 36.75 and that of males was 40.58; average duration of interviews was 48.5 minutes; and average number of children was reported to be 1.6. Those being interviews have had average married life of 12.5 years. In terms of education, four participants had high school diplomas and lower education level; two had associate degree; two had bachelor’s degree; three had Master’s degree, and one has had doctorate degree.
Categories obtained from interviews were divided into six categories of family, individual, spiritual, economic, social, and health groups. Interviewees’ experiments were placed in two categories of threats and opportunities. Finally sub-categories also were extracted. Table 1 shows these findings.
Table 1- Research findings
| Dimensions | Main categories | Frequency | Subcategories | Phrase | |
| Family | Opportunity | Maintaining family foundation | 8 | Doing joint activities (playing with kids, reading book, group entertainment, Jihadi and cultural activities), crisis control, more sexual intercourse, tranquilizing family members, cooperation and sympathy, understanding more sense of parenting, becoming aware of marital responsibilities, learning skills, more friendship among children, more talks, making each other happy, life planning, reduction of marginal discussions, accepting the problem, unity against enemies from outside, being happy of being together, talking about memories, spending time together | Their father was trying to play with them and I was not so picky on them to prevent them from becoming angry (code 5) Every year during Eid it was either me or my husband going to hospital; but, this year this did not happen as no pressure as regards families was on us. This was a great opportunity to plan for future of children and ourselves (code 6) |
| Threat | Incapability in controlling problems | 4 | Arguments between couples and between them and children, creation of anxiety and its spread to the family members, being sad about separation from main family members, spending more time in cyberspace, increase of pressure and activities, being concerned about children’s’ education, cancelling travel arrangements, being concerned about family members becoming sick | Always I have been anxious about one of us becoming sick. So, I was always reminding them of the subject and shouting at them (code 2) I spent time in cyberspace to the extent that I ignored my husband and children |
|
| Individual | opportunity | Performance-based pleasure | 7 | Performing works remained from past, doing sports activities, learning new arts, watching movies and series, thinking and in-depth review of what has happened, creating diversity , gardening, experiencing, taking lessons, becoming patience, coming to terms with conditions, doing activities in other forms, increase of creativity, making money from home activities | I have tried to make myself busy, I have downloaded many embroidery clips and act did embroidery works. I wanted to learn it for a long period of time, with no chance (Code 1) |
| Threat | Performance-based numbness | 5 | Having no motivation, numbness, incapability in doing routine activities, physical inactivity and obesity, having no bed time schedule, dissatisfaction regarding physical status, anxiety, anger, being concerned about becoming sick | I was not in the mood of doing something. I was sleeping from 7a.m. to 7 p.m. and after waking up I did not do anything especial (code 8) | |
| spiritual | Opportunity | Making resort to | 8 | Praying, sympathy with poor people, helping organizations in sanitizing passages, Jihadi activities, learning lesson from, appreciating God, committing less sin (upon females and males less presence at society) | My husband and I along with children have been reading Tavvsol (making resort to Imams) prayer asking God as for the disease to be ended soon (code 11) |
| Threat | Impatience | 4 | Complaining to God, complaining to authorities | From fear of becoming sick either me or my family; I have been complaining to God about this catastrophic disease (code 3) | |
| economic | opportunity | Resilient economy | 7 | Saving in costs, entrepreneurship at home, correcting energy and consumption pattern, producing food at home (yogurt, cheese, sausage, and etc.) | Since we had to go out less, I was trying to make use of everything available at home and not asking for food diversity (code 9) |
| Threat | Carelessness in consumption | 5 | Overconsumption of energy especially water, eating too much, overconsumption of internet, overconsumption being of no importance | Fear of disease forced me to put child in bathtub for several hours a day to become clean (code 10) | |
| Social | Opportunity | Cooperation between executive policies | 8 | Remaining at home, going out only for emergency cases, observing health protocols and advising acquaintance to do so, societies preference put on itself, reducing environmental pollution | My husband and I have been really observing. Despite new year holidays being near, we did not go out to buy cloth for children (code 12) |
| Threat | Lack of cooperation between executive policies | 4 | Travelling, gatherings and parties, not taking advices by authorities seriously, reduction of purchase power, businesses becoming closed, double economic pressure | Getting bored till the time my husband proposed to travel to north of Iran and quickly preparing the car we began our travel (code 7) | |
| Health- related | Opportunity | Observation | 10 | Consuming medicinal plants, consuming nutritional supplements, administering an inhalant, washing hands, using mask and gloves, eating appropriately | Even at home I have been wearing mask, I have been distancing myself from children, water and vinegar has been continuously on heater for air conditioning purposes (code 4) |
| Threat | Paying no attention | 2 | No usage made of mask and gloves, going to parties, going out of house several times a day | Till today, we have not used one mask or glove (code 3) |
Discussion: The six categories of family, individual, spiritual, economic, social, and health dimensions were obtained from interviews; and, what have been experienced by women were categorized into two sections of opportunities and threats. Interviewees have taken quarantine into consideration both as opportunity and threat. That is, dependence in family, creation of more intimacy among family members, individual thinking and growth, sometimes spiritual improvement through resorting to Imams and God, tolerating difficult economic situation through entrepreneurship and saving, social dimension becoming of importance and the point that life of other people is subject to observations made by individuals, increasing Jihadi activities and society members becoming unified, individual health becoming of high importance in addition to its importance in terms of collective health have all been from positive points stated by women in relation to quarantine period. On the other hand, negative points during quarantine included economic pressure imposed on families, family members being in continuous contact and leading to tension, women’s responsibility becoming more and leading to their fatigue, children becoming bored and more stress being imposed on mothers, being afraid of ambiguous unpredictable future, being afraid of becoming sick, complaining to God, and showing regret regarding inconsiderate people in society. No research was found to cover up all of the concepts; however, the one performed by Bie et al. confirms fatigue, insomnia, hatred towards working, and staying away from others which is consistent with the results of the present research. Some dispersed studies also performed in terms of psychology during quarantine, including confusion, fear; anger, feeling guilty, numbness, and insomnia., etc. showed that people have been afraid of their own health or regarding transmission of disease. The results of the present research are consistent with those of the aforementioned studies.
In terms of economic concerns referred to by women, the research performed by Brux et al. showed that financial concerns can be regarded as negative consequences of quarantine as most jobs have become suspended during the period, and it is in line with the findings of the current study. Howri Look et al. (2004) have concluded in their research that those individuals with low income are more prone to depression and post traumatic disorders. In the present research as well, interviewees in quarantine have been expecting the authorities to solve their financial problems so that one of the biggest concerns of them would be eliminated.
Ethical considerations
Funds
This article has no financial backing.
Contribution of authors
All authors have contributed to the design, implementation and writing of all sections of the present study.
Conflict of interest
According to the authors, there is no conflict of interest in this article.
Adherence to the principles of research ethics
The authors have observed all the ethical points in this article, including informed consent, good behavior and avoiding harm to participants, building trust and not distorting the data in this article. We would also like to thank all the participants.
Type of Study: orginal |
Received: 2020/11/1 | Accepted: 2021/02/15 | Published: 2021/09/14
Received: 2020/11/1 | Accepted: 2021/02/15 | Published: 2021/09/14
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