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. 2024 Sep;94(9):791-799.
doi: 10.1111/josh.13480. Epub 2024 Jun 27.

Parents' Perceptions of Schools' COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies: A Phenomenological Study

Janny Dinh  1 , Lorece V Edwards  2 , Gabriela Calderon  3 , Lauren M Klein  3 , June Wang  4 , Natalie Marrero  5 , Sara B Johnson  6 , Erin R Hager  1
Affiliations

Parents' Perceptions of Schools' COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies: A Phenomenological Study

Janny Dinh et al. J Sch Health. 2024 Sep.

Abstract

Background: At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, schools closed across the United States. Given the impact of virtual learning and lost access to school resources, schools eventually reopened with COVID-19 mitigation protocols in place. This qualitative study sought to understand parental perceptions of school-based COVID-19 mitigation strategies.

Methods: Using a phenomenology approach, nine focus groups were completed with 40 parents of children in grades K-8 representing eight Maryland counties. Based on acceptance of masking policies (as indicated on a survey), parents were sorted into 2 groups-lower and higher masking acceptance. A thematic analysis was conducted for each group and themes were compared between the 2 groups.

Results: The main themes were related to parents' general sentiments regarding COVID-19, compliance, pandemic-related changes over time, changes in personal opinions, and in-person learning. Both groups described challenges related to inconsistent COVID-19 mitigation policies and practices, the challenges of rapid and frequent changes in guidelines during the pandemic, and the benefits of in-person learning.

Conclusions: Parents of elementary and middle school children, regardless of general acceptance of masking policies, shared concerns about implementation and guidance regarding school-based mitigation strategies.

Keywords: COVID‐19; health communication; health policy; mitigation strategies; parents; school health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest

All authors declare there are no conflicts of interest.

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