Res Community Public Health Nurs.  2025 Mar;36(1):85-98. 10.12799/rcphn.2024.00913.

Experiences of Small Independent Restaurant Owners During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Grounded Theory Study

• Park J
• Kim HS

• KMID: 2566311
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/rcphn.2024.00913

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to evaluate the lives of small independent restaurant owners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
The participants were 15 small independent restaurant owners operating independent small restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected individually through in-depth interviews from September 30, 2022, to January 20, 2023. The transcribed interview content analyzed using Corbin and Strauss’s grounded theory approach.
Results
Analysis of the psychological resistance experience of small independent restaurant owners with the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in 6 themes, 15 sub-themes, and 40 codes. The core category is revealed as the struggle for survival under the blind spot of uncertainty and helplessness. As a result of axial coding based on the paradigm model, the casual condition was operational difficulties in restaurants affected by the impact of COVID-19, and the contextual condition was bewilderment due to unprecedented circumstances. The central phenomenon was a life shattered by the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervening condition was enduring adversity with hope. The action/interaction strategies to control the phenomenon revealed ongoing struggles in the face of the hardships. In consequence, fostering resilience amid grappling with feelings of helplessness was revealed.
Conclusion
This study lays the groundwork for designing successful COVID-19 rehabilitation programs. This study shows that the improved climate of the small restaurant industry plays an important role in alleviating the burden of small independent restaurant owners.

Keyword

COVID-19; Grounded theory; Psychology; Qualitative research; Restaurants