Family functioning in a Portuguese sample of adults during COVID-19: does hope matter?
Evangelista, Marta
;Ribeiro, Inês
; Pereira, M. GraçaJournal Article
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.