Family functioning in a Portuguese sample of adults during COVID-19: does hope matter?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological variables and their contribution towards family functioning during the first wave of COVID-19 in Portugal. The COVID-19 pandemic was an overwhelming and stressful life event with social consequences that impacted family functioning and contributed to multilevel disruptions. The study used a cross-sectional design and included 110 participants (94 women), with a mean age of 35.71 (SD = 13.53). Participants answered self-report measures assessing family satisfaction, hope, psychological well-being, risk perception, and family functioning. Hope (pathways subscale) played a moderating role in the relationship between family satisfaction and family functioning. Family satisfaction and psychological well-being partially mediated the relationship between hope and family functioning. Clinical relevance and implications for further research are addressed. Intervention should focus on increasing psychological well-being and hope together with family satisfaction in order to promote family functioning. For those individuals struggling with COVID-19 issues, mental health interventions are paramount.

Este estudio ha tenido como objetivo explorar la relación entre las variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y psicológicas y el funcionamiento familiar en la primera oleada de COVID-19 en Portugal. La pandemia de COVID-19 fue una situación de vida abrumadora y estresante con consecuencias sociales que afectaron en el funcionamiento familiar. El estudio utilizó un diseño transversal e incluyó 110 participantes (94 mujeres), con una edad media de 35.71 años (SD = 13.53). Los participantes respondieron a medidas que evaluaban la satisfacción familiar, la esperanza, el bienestar psicológico, la percepción del riesgo y el funcionamiento familiar. La esperanza (subescala “caminos”) desempeñó un papel moderador en la relación entre la satisfacción familiar y el funcionamiento familiar. La satisfacción familiar y el bienestar psicológico mediaron parcialmente en la relación entre la esperanza y el funcionamiento familiar. Se abordan la importancia clínica y las implicaciones para futuras investigaciones. La intervención deberá centrarse en aumentar el bienestar psicológico y la esperanza junto con la satisfacción familiar para promover el funcionamiento familiar. Para los individuos que luchan con problemas de COVID-19 son primordiales las intervenciones de salud mental.