Social Policies and Theories on Quality of Life under COVID-19: In Search of the Missing Links

Abstract

COVID-19 has generated many negative impacts on the family, including impaired psychological well-being of family members (parents and children) and family processes (such as parenting and family functioning). Regarding social policies to support families under the pandemic, there are several missing links. First, COVID-19 related policies mainly focus on physical well-being with a relatively weaker emphasis on psychological well-being. Second, with social policies primarily aiming at stabilizing the “financial capital” of the public, human capital (particularly personal resilience) and social capital (particularly family resilience) are relatively neglected. Third, while “general” social policies may help “averaged” individuals and families, there is a need to take pre-existing family vulnerabilities (such as poverty and caregiving burdens) and inequalities into account when formulating “down to earth” social policies. Fourth, while social science knowledge and theories have important potential contributions to help develop relevant policies and services to promote quality of life under COVID-19, explicit utilization is not strong. With reference to these missing links, we proposed several research and practice directions for the promotion of quality of life under the pandemic.

Family functioning and resilience in children in mainland China: life satisfaction as a mediator

“…Finally, this study was performed in the COVID-19 setting which is different from the non-COVID-19 context. As COVID-19 has exerted much stress on children and adolescents and their families ( Shek, 2021a ; Shek et al, 2023 ), this investigation constitutes an interesting addition to the discussion on this issue in the pandemic context.…”

“…Furthermore, since “resilience research has never strayed far from its translational agenda” ( Masten, 2011 , p. 493), the present findings are also relevant to other non-Chinese cultural contexts, particularly under COVID-19. As COVID-19 has a strong negative impact on mental health ( Shek, 2021a , b ; Shek et al, 2023 ), how to promote family functioning and life satisfaction are important keys for promoting psychological well-being under the pandemic. Furthermore, there is a need to promote resilience at different levels.…”

Social and Physical Ecologies for Child Resilience: Wisdom from Asia and Africa

“…Furthermore, since "resilience research has never strayed far from its translational agenda" (Masten, 2011, p. 493), the present findings are also relevant to other non-Chinese cultural contexts, particularly under COVID-19. As COVID-19 has a strong negative impact on mental health (Shek, 2021a,b;Shek et al, 2023), how to promote family functioning and life satisfaction are important keys for promoting psychological well-being under the pandemic. Furthermore, there is a need to promote resilience at different levels.…”

Filial responsibilities and psychological wellbeing among Chinese adolescents in poor single-mother families: does parental warmth matter?

“…While adolescents are the recipients of maternal warmth ( Elstad and Stefansen, 2014 ), and their subjective perception of this warmth is crucial for their psychological wellbeing, it would be methodologically advantageous to include mothers’ reports for a more objective and comprehensive assessment. Fourthly, the study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that may have affected family dynamics ( Shek et al, 2023 ) and introduced additional stressors impacting adolescent psychological wellbeing. Replication of the study post-pandemic is recommended.…”