Exploring the lived experience of families with a COVID-19 positive child: The journey from a critical grounded theory approach

COVID-19 and associated public health policies have significantly disrupted the lives of both adults and children. Experiences of COVID-positive adults are well described but less is known about the experiences of families of children who receive a positive diagnosis, and the impact of public health policies on this experience. This study aimed to develop a framework to understand the lived experience of families with a child testing positive for COVID-19. We applied a qualitative study design, using grounded theory. The study took place in Melbourne, Australia between July and December 2020, during the first major Australian COVID-19 wave. Parents of children 0-18 years tested at a walk-in clinic at a paediatric tertiary referral hospital were invited to participate. Two interviewers jointly undertook in-depth interviews with parents of children who tested positive. Interviews were transcribed and two analysts used an inductive, critical realist analysis approach with NVivo and a virtual whiteboard. Results are presented incorporating a stratified reality (empirical, actual, real). Families described seven sequential stages of the COVID-19 positive testing journey: COVID-19 close to home; time to be tested; waiting for the test result; receiving the result; dealing with the diagnosis; coping with isolation; and moving forward/looking back. Our findings highlight how public health policies and messages targeting the general (adult) public were experienced by families. We provide a framework that families move through when their child tests positive for COVID-19. Within each phase, we report unmet needs and identify strategies to improve future pandemic planning for parents and children.