Noting that the burden of women in the family has increased a lot during the pandemic process, experts emphasize that this situation leads to traumas and burnout syndrome. Experts warn that “Excessive responsibilities imposed on women increase the level of anxiety, cause stress, and long-term chronic stress and anxiety can turn into psychological problems.” Experts recommend sharing duties and responsibilities in this period. It highlights that it can lead to
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Selvinaz Çınar Parlak from Üsküdar University NP Feneryolu Medical Center evaluated being a woman during the pandemic process and the effects of this period on women on March 8, International Women’s Day.
The pandemic has taken a traumatic turn
Selvinaz Çınar Parlak, who stated that the pandemic process disrupted the natural flow of life, reminded that people had to continue their lives at home to a large extent. Selvinaz Çınar Parlak, who said that the natural flow of the family system was disrupted in this process, said, “Both psychological and physical burden on families increases and causes stress, and this long-term stress can become a very serious traumatic process.”
The burden of daily life remained with women
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Selvinaz Çınar Parlak, explaining that the role of “caregiving” in the family system is mostly attributed to women, said that the caregiver of the family, especially in patriarchal societies, is the mother. Selvinaz Çınar Parlak, stating that women can have very positive experiences and strong feelings in their caregiver role when they are sufficiently supported, continued as follows: “However, during the pandemic process, families faced many difficulties such as social isolation and reduced support, negative impact on their professional life, and financial difficulties. The disruption of children’s education, the drastic change in their lifestyle and habits brought many additional responsibilities and burdens. We see that the difficulties and burdens in organizing daily life remain mostly with women and mothers.”
The trauma experienced by the woman affects the family
Selvinaz Çınar Parlak stated that facing more responsibilities than they can bear increases the anxiety levels of women, and said that in this process, it has become more important than ever for couples to communicate and share responsibilities equally.
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Selvinaz Çınar Parlak warned: “Excessive responsibilities on women increase the level of anxiety, cause stress, and long-term chronic stress and anxiety can turn into psychological problems. Burnout syndrome, depression and anxiety disorders can occur as a result of long-term and chronic stress. In this process, the pandemic turns into a traumatic process in homes where the burdens of women increase and they experience stress, and the effect of trauma experienced by the woman will inevitably affect the whole family.
Social radioactivity can be experienced
Expressing that the stress caused by the pandemic conditions on the family disrupts the communication within the family, Selvinaz Çınar Parlak stated that the psychological health of the parents was also adversely affected. Explaining that this situation can cause permanent problems that will negatively affect the family system, Selvinaz Çınar Parlak continued:
“It has been reported that domestic violence has increased during the pandemic process, there has been an increase in child abuse rates and divorce rates have also increased rapidly. When the mother deteriorates spiritually, she will not be able to give the children the necessary emotional support, and the children who cannot receive emotional support during this difficult process will also be traumatized. In the family system, especially when the caregiver mother or father becomes psychologically ill, other family members are also adversely affected by this situation and may lead to long-term chronic problems. Thus, social mental health is also adversely affected. Yolanda Gampel named these states in 2009 with the concept of “radioactivity.”
The traumas of harsh conditions can last for generations.
Selvinaz Çınar Parlak stated that the stress and traumatic scars experienced by the mother also caused deep wounds in the child’s psyche, and said that the traces left by the traumas experienced during wartime and harsh conditions can be effective for generations.
Saying that the concept of radioactivity expresses the transmission and spread power of trauma experienced in the family, Selvinaz Çınar Parlak said, “When a mother experiences mental problems, her children are also affected and if a family is traumatized, generations can be affected, as well as causing social problems. Empowering women and mothers should be our priority in order to protect our social mental health and raise healthy children. The mental health of the mother is extremely important and must be taken into account, ”she said.
Child care should be shared equally
Expressing that the burden of caring for children should be shared equally by parents, Selvinaz Çınar Parlak also said that women should be supported to spare personal time for themselves. Selvinaz Çınar Parlak listed his other suggestions as follows: “It should be possible to share the care burdens and domestic responsibilities, and the family should share the responsibilities as a whole. They should request assistance from public institutions and organizations from which they can receive social support in adverse situations caused by the pandemic. Social service opportunities for families, children and women should become more active. Service opportunities and public services should be created where women can get support for their domestic and family responsibilities and their increasing burdens.
Women need new social systems
Specialist Clinical Psychologist Selvinaz Çınar Parlak stated that mothering and paternity functions should also be well structured, and said that it is important to meet the spiritual needs of women and children as well as their physical needs.
“In this process, it is necessary to carry out supportive studies in order to inform fathers about their children’s mental processes seriously and to participate in the activities to support the process. The empowerment of women is very important for the health of the family. Social systems are needed to meet the demands of women who need help. Psychoeducation and psychological support mechanisms are needed to raise awareness of families. All women under stress should benefit from psychological support services without delay.
Source: (BHA) – Beyaz News Agency
