Exploring the Experiences of the COVID-19 Survivors and Their Families

Abstract

The sudden outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19, first recorded in December 2019, escalated into a global pandemic concern. Studies conducted about the COVID-19 pandemic mainly focused on individual-level such as patients and healthcare workers, but only a few explored the experiences of the COVID-19 survivors, including their families. This research is significant as it will serve as a guide and eye-opener to various individuals and sectors about the situation of different families who have experienced one of their members contracting COVID-19. Informants of the study were members of six families who have contracted and survived COVID-19. The data gathering was executed from December 22 to 29, 2021. In terms of the financial impact of COVID-19, many informants agreed that although they had expenses of the illness, they were not financially burdened as they contracted COVID-19 due to different factors such as savings and type of work. Some stated that there was no impact financially. 

Most COVID-19 survivors and family members generally mentioned that they experienced psychological disturbances such as fear, anxiety, and paranoia. Some felt thankful, cared for, and loved, while others were unaffected.

Praying and taking extra precautions became the coping mechanisms of the families when a family member contracts COVID-19. All informants experienced changes in their lifestyle after surviving COVID-19. This includes taking extra precautions and cherishing their lives more. Further improvement in the interview questions is recommended by having follow-up interviews that still need to be done due to the limited time.