Abstract:
COVID-19 is a global health pandemic that affected the social, economic and the mental well-being of people. The study investigated the psycho-social experiences that preschool owners and parents encountered during COVID-19. A qualitative research study using a semi-structured interview guide was conducted among 20 participants from Oodi-Matebele village in Botswana, comprising of fifteen preschool owners and five parents. Loss of income, unemployment and low enrolment were the worst challenges faced by preschool owners. Parents faced financial constraints forcing some of them to withdraw their children from preschool. Others experienced family disintegration through separation and divorce, illness and deaths of loved ones, domestic and gender-based violence. These experiences resulted in stress, worry, anxiety and fear. Coping strategies for preschool owners and parents included introducing online teaching, sending homework to parents, receiving government grants, having faith in God and counseling, but not all of them received psycho social support. The study recommends a holistic model that addresses the interlinkages of psychological, social, and environmental determinants of mental health status during COVID-19. The study concludes that the social, economic and environmental factors associated with COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions to control it should be holistically understood and addressed to ensure mental well-being of people.
