Emerging adults’ perceptions of their family systems: resilience and connections after the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Family systems can be conceptualized as complex adaptive systems consisting of intricate interconnections among family members that adapt dynamically to the environment. The COVID-19 pandemic was a chronic and persistent trauma to many systems including families. Family resilience, an ongoing process of the system that helps the family adapt to changes and find an improved level of functioning, may have contributed to how families are faring after the COVID-19 lockdown period. Purpose: This study focused on family resilience as a possible moderator between COVID-19-related changes and family satisfaction, and how structural dynamics of family connections can affect family resilience. Methods: N = 149 emerging adults ages 18-29 in Thunder Bay, Ontario, completed an online survey regarding their family of origin, responding as a child within the family system. Various scales assessed the number of COVID-19 stressors, COVID-19 impacts on the family, family resilience, family satisfaction, and the frequency of connections with each family member. [...]