Lapsiperheiden vanhempien kuvaukset saadusta sosiaalisesta tuesta poikkeusolojen aikana

This study examines received social support in the descriptions of parents with under-aged children during the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020 in Finland. The empirical material (N=1296) was produced with a qualitative questionnaire distributed on social media. The analysis was carried out by using content analysis from the perspective of social support theory. During the state of emergency, social support arrangements became questioned as the availability of support was uncertain. The support provided by informal networks, mainly grandparents, became problematised. Concrete support included childcare, food care and financial support. Emotional support comprised of peer support, a caring attitude of the professionals, and the emotional meanings of concrete support. Emotional support created a sense of security and predictability and provided experiences of identification and caring. However, the expectations and demands associated with emotional support potentially led to moral negotiations around good parenting and the acceptability of receiving support.