Family Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Risks of Financial Insecurity and Coping

J Res Adolesc. 2023 Mar;33(1):43-58. doi: 10.1111/jora.12776. Epub 2022 Jun 24.

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, families have experienced unprecedented financial and social disruptions. We studied the impact of preexisting psychosocial factors and pandemic-related financial and social disruptions in relation to family well-being among N = 4091 adolescents and parents during early summer 2020, participating in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM Study. Poorer family well-being was linked to prepandemic psychosocial and financial adversity and was associated with pandemic-related material hardship and social disruptions to routines. Parental alcohol use increased risk for worsening of family relationships, while a greater endorsement of coping strategies was mainly associated with overall better family well-being. Financial and mental health support may be critical for family well-being during and after a widespread crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; coping; family well-being; financial insecurity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Development
  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Mental Health
  • Pandemics