The Coronavirus Crisis: A Crisis among Families from Cultural Minority Groups-Intervention and Coping Mechanisms

Abstract

Background: The covid-19 pandemic challenged life as we knew it. The new reality has caused further problems, adding to previous challenges. Minority families experience additional and unique challenges. Aim: The study aims to understand the coping mechanisms of Ethiopian women during the coronavirus in light of the cultural characteristics of the community. Method: Via Zoom, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 female community members. Findings: The study yielded a circle map describing how the women of the community deal with crises and the resilience factors that characterize them as individuals and a community. The map draws its centrality from the community’s cultural characteristics since culture is a source of strength and resilience. In the face of a global crisis, a narrative of resilience, strength, and self-efficacy emerges for the first time in the community. The first circle is faith, a belief in God and women’s power. The second circle is reaching out to the family, neighbors, and relatives. The third circle is a sense of belonging to the community and pride in belonging. The fourth circle is consultation with sages, the elderly, and kahens. Finally, in the fifth circle, “only if we do not manage ourselves,” we look for assistance from community service providers. Conclusions and Implications: The cultural characteristics of Ethiopians are sometimes perceived as inhibiting integration and success. Cultural characteristics were an axis of resilience and strength in the coronavirus crisis. The women of the community embraced factors of resilience like faith, a sense of belonging, and mutuality. Inclination to internal sources of power challenges the perception of the community’s dependence on the establishment. Commitment and a sense of belonging to the community are vital anchors that need to be strengthened. Therefore, it is crucial to adopt, during interventions, the community approach, the cultural competency method, and the strength-based practice.