Dealing with COVID-19 related Orphanhood Distress in Mafararikwa

Abstract

The research was conducted to assist the orphans of the Mafararikwa community to deal with grief over the COVID-19 pandemic related parental deaths. The researchers used a descriptive design to allow the participants to describe their felt distress. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. The study found that orphans lacked a sense of closure following the deaths of their parents, as the strict COVID-19 protocols regarding burial and handling of COVID-19 related
deaths prohibited close proximity to burial graves and gatherings of mourners.

Keywords: COVID-19, distress, grief, Mafararikwa, orphans, parents

DOI: 10.32444/IJSW.2023.84.4.393-408