Ajuste familiar durante la pandemia de la COVID-19: un estudio de díadas

Abstract

Family adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic: a dyad study. The global pandemic of COVID-19 has brought a host of vital changes to society. Families and their children have had to adapt to new routines and situations, which may have increased or aggravated the suffering of emotional symptoms. However, the presence of resilience and positive emotional regulation strategies can cushion this impact on families with young children. The aim of the present study is to know the variables that explained the problems of family emotional adjustment to the COVID-19 pandemic, considering the dyads of parents and their adolescent children. Thirty-one dyads of adolescents between 11 and 19 years old (M = 13.90; SD = 1.85) and their main caregivers participated, 93.50% of whom were mothers. After accepting to participate in the study, emotional regulation (Emotional Regulation Questionnaire; ERQ), resilience (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale; CD-RISC) and anxious, depressive and stress symptoms (Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale; DASS) were evaluated. Qualitative comparative fuzzy set analysis (fsQCA) models were performed. In the explanation of the emotional maladjustment of the caregivers, the negative family climate and the deficient emotional regulation strategies in their children were the most relevant variables. In the explanation of the emotional discomfort of the adolescents, the low resilience of these and the deficient strategies of emotional regulation of their parents were the most relevant variables. Our study points out the relevance of caring for family members when facing this kind of life crisis, through intervention programs that improve family bonds and emotional regulation strategies.

Keywords

• adolescence
• family caregiver
• covid-19
• dyads
• psychological adjustment