A qualitative investigation of support workers’ experiences of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Dutch migrant families who have children with intellectual disabilities

ABSTRACT Background The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected families who have children with intellectual disabilities (ID). Our aim was to explore the pandemic’s impact on Dutch migrant families who have children with ID, by interviewing these families’ support workers. Method A descriptive qualitative methodology was employed, which resulted in semi-structured telephone interviews with 34 support workers. We selected interview transcripts that pertained to 27 Dutch migrant families who have children with ID and identified themes and subthemes using thematic analysis. Results Two main themes related to the pandemic emerged: (1) Work of support workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon migrant families who have children with ID. Conclusion The present study demonstrates that support workers particularly struggled to stay in touch with migrant families who have children with ID during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, support workers should tailor their support to the needs of migrant families.