Qualitative Research on Hungarian Mothers’ Social Situation and Mental Health During the Time of the Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Due to the social distancing measures ordered as protection against mass infection during the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak, most Hungarian families were confined to home quarantine. Schools, kindergartens, and nursery schools were closed between 16 March and early June. Because grandparents belonged to one of the most vulnerable groups, families were asked not to involve them in childcare until the end of the pandemic in order to avoid their infection by younger family members. Companies switched to using the home office when possible, and the government asked the population not to leave their homes except for essential reasons. As a result, many parents worked from home and provided care for their children at the same time. (...)