Family Resilience during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly in many countries. This pandemic has led to short-term as well as long-term psychosocial and mental health implications for all family members. The magnitude of family resilience is determined by many vulnerability factors like developmental age, educational status, preexisting mental health condition, being economically underprivileged or being quarantined due to infection or fear of infection. Methods: PubMed, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and ProQuest were searched from the inception of the pandemic to December 31, 2020. Articles were screened for inclusion by Authors. Results: After exclusion, there were eight studies included in the analysis with 165,515 participants. The literature review demonstrated that pandemic has caused mental health problems such as anxiety, stress, and depression. Creating daily practices of gratitude is important to build family wellbeing. It is essential to have good and healthy communication and to find positive activities to do together among family members which can build a sense of togetherness, trust, cohesion, and happiness. Conclusion: In conclusion, the pandemic has caused unpredictable and uncertain impacts that can pose a threat to the wellbeing of the families. Pandemic has caused mental health problems such as anxiety, stress, and depression. A healthy relationship, communication, faith-based practices, a positive mindset, and building social support are adaptive coping to respond to the crisis and adversity together.

Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Family Mental Health in Canada: Findings from a Multi-Round Cross-Sectional Study

“…Coinciding with re-openings for in person visiting in rounds 2 and 3 in many provinces, connecting with friends and family virtually via phone and video chat was less frequently reported in round 2 (31.7%) and round 3 (37.9%) compared with round 1 (50.5%), whereas connecting in person with friends and family in "my bubble" and enjoying outdoor activities with friends and family were more frequently reported in round 2 (29.6% and 36.4%, respectively) and round 3 (24.8% and 30.6%, respectively). Other research has similarly identified the maintenance of family routines, adaptability, and family cohesion as factors of family resilience during the pandemic [30]. Children's perceived connectedness to caregivers has also been found to predict better mental health outcomes for children during the pandemic [38].…”

“…In addition, maintaining a structured, predictable home environment by adhering to family routines appears to mitigate the adverse effects of the pandemic on children's mental health [29]. Maintaining good communication, engaging in shared activities, seeking social support, and practicing gratitude have also been identified as factors helping families cope with stress during the pandemic [30].…”

‘A lot of small things make a difference’. Mental health and strategies of coping during the COVID‐19 pandemic

“…Strategies used by diarists to manage the immediate effects of the pandemic are also reflective of coping methods observed in other crisis contexts. Existing research, for example, has observed the role of social contact with others and supportive networks as well as the importance of maintaining regular habits and routines 32,35,36 . Similarly, diarists' strategies demonstrated the ways in which individuals drew on strengths to cope with the unfolding situation.…”

“…Existing research, for example, has observed the role of social contact with others and supportive networks as well as the importance of maintaining regular habits and routines. 32 , 35 , 36 Similarly, diarists' strategies demonstrated the ways in which individuals drew on strengths to cope with the unfolding situation. This reflects findings from Rodrigues and colleagues' recent review of social isolation among older adults during the pandemic, which showed individuals finding positivity in daily life, drawing on faith, learning new skills and adapting to online technology to maintain social relationships.…”

Pandemia jako czynnik zmiany społecznej. Rodzina a rynek pracy

“…To doświadczenie podzielane przez mieszkańców wszystkich badanych krajów. Generalnie jednak dominującym odczuciem jest większe osamotnienie (Gayatri and Irawaty, 2021).…”