Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic among nursing researchers with care of children and frail family members in Japan: A secondary analysis of longitudinal survey data
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Objective: This study aimed to determine how the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected nursing researchers who provide non-nursing domestic care to their own family members, specifically children or older adults (hereinafter referred to as family care). Methods: We used data from a longitudinal questionnaire survey targeting members of the Japanese Academy of Nursing Science during the pandemic (first survey, July–August 2020; second survey, March 2022). Chi-square tests were conducted to compare significant differences in factors that hindered research activities, concerns and anxieties about research activities, and positive changes in research activities between groups with and without nurse-family caregiving. The meanings of the free descriptions are also described based on their similarities and differences. Results: The first survey had 1,532 respondents (valid response rate: 16.1%), and the second survey had 899 respondents (valid response rate: 9.0%). More items regarding hindrances to or concerns about research activities showed significant differences in the second survey than in the first. In particular, in the second survey, significant differences were found regarding contents related to adjustments in the household, such as "increased time spent on housework related to COVID-19" and "internal and interpersonal familial conflicts related to COVID-19." The same trend was observed for the free comments. Conclusions: COVID-19's impact on nursing researchers who provide family care showed more significant differences in the second survey than in the first, indicating long-term effects. The burden of family coordination was greater, and difficulties such as adjusting schedules due to family illnesses remained.
Institutions: Mejiro University, Hiroshima University, University of Miyazaki
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7204133604