Occupational Impact of COVID-19 Social Isolation on Brazilian Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown impacted the occupational performance of all mothers. For those who were mothers of diversely developing children, it was even more difficult. To measure how the lockdown affected mothers in Brazil, comparing those with typically developing children (MTD) to those with children with disabilities or developmental disorders (MDD). This is a cross-sectional, exploratory, quantitative research realized using an online questionnaire; data were collected on sociodemographics and changes in occupational performance during lockdown. In total, 1,070 mothers of children aged 3 to 12 years (76.5% MTD, 23.5% MDD) reported diminished performance, especially in activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. The decline was more significant in the MDD group. The lockdown negatively impacted the occupational performance of all mothers, with a greater effect on MDD, suggesting possibilities for interventions in occupational therapy to reduce maternal overload in similar situations.

Plain Language Summary

How Being Stuck at Home During COVID-19 Affected Mothers’ Daily Lives

The COVID-19 lockdown had a major impact on how mothers managed their daily activities. This study looked at how the lockdown affected mothers in Brazil, comparing those with typically developing children to those with children who have disabilities or developmental disorders. Researchers used an online survey to gather information on the mothers’ daily lives and how their activities changed during the lockdown. The study included 1,070 mothers with children aged 3 to 12 years, with 76.5% having typically developing children and 23.5% having children with disabilities. This study highlights that the lockdown impacted all mothers and suffered losses in performing daily activities, but it was worse among mothers with children with disabilities.