Mothers, Household Bubbles, and Social Support During the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Parents of young children experienced many stressors due to stay-at-home directives in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bubbles were implemented by some governments, allowing households to connect with another household while minimizing contagion risk, but little is known about their effectiveness. We explored the social support experiences of Canadian mothers living in Nova Scotia during this first wave, focusing on whether they perceived household bubbles to be helpful in reducing parenting stress. In-depth interviews were completed with 18 mothers (aged 21–49) who had at least one child under the age of 12 during the first shutdown. Interviews focused on how they coped during the initial shutdown period, the immediate time after they paired up with another household, and what was happening for them currently (approximately eight to ten months later). Data were analyzed using qualitative description and content analysis through application of topic, descriptive, and analytical coding; memo writing; and matrix analysis. Deciding who to bubble with typically focused on direct support for parents or having playmates for children. Having a bubble arrangement reduced the pressure of the situation, and perceptions of future emergency backup support also reduced anxiety levels. Support from family members who lived far away, however, was still key for some families. Household bubbles play an important role in reducing stress levels during a pandemic through received and perceived support. As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, policy directives and support interventions need to enhance social support for parents and peer interactions for young children.