A phenomenological study on the lives of low-income working mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic

• Main Authors: Baharuddin, Noor Najwa, Hussin, Ruhaya, Tajuddin, Nor Azlin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: IIUM Press 2023
• Subjects: BF Psychology; BF636 Applied psychology; HQ 1075 Sex role; HQ1101 Women. Feminism; HQ2035 Life skills. Coping skills. Everyday living skills; HQ The family. Marriage. Woman; HQ503 The family. Marriage. Home
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/110182/7/110182_A%20phenomenological%20study%20on%20the%20lives%20of%20low-income%20working.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/110182/; https://journals.iium.edu.my/irkh/index.php/ijohs/article/view/304
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

This study explores the lived experience of low-income (B40) working mothers in Klang Valley during the COVID-19 pandemic. It sheds light on their mental health struggles and unexpected silver linings. Eight participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. A seven-day diary-writing exercise followed by individual interviews was conducted. Data analysis is based on descriptive phenomenology, allowing in-depth exploration of participants' experiences. Three main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Multitasking is too taxing, highlighting the intensified role conflict faced by some mothers; (2) Struggling to regulate emotions, revealing the guilt and emotional challenges these mothers experienced as they juggled multiple roles; and (3) The upside of COVID-19, demonstrating how some participants found unexpected benefits in increased family bonding during lockdowns. In sum, low-income working mothers faced significant mental health challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, exacerbated by their unique circumstances. The findings underscore the importance of recognising their struggles and the need for interventions that promote their mental well-being. Additionally, providing training in emotional resilience and self-regulation could prove beneficial. This study contributes to the understanding of the nuanced experiences of low-income working mothers and calls for continued attention to their mental health needs, particularly in times of crisis.