First eight months of the coronavirus crisis: resilient relationships and families

Around 2½ million Dutch families have been staying at home on a regular basis since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This crisis has radically changed the daily lives of couples and families in the Netherlands: work, school and private lives must be combined at the same location. Together with colleagues, Esther Kluwer, a social psychologist at Utrecht University and extraordinary professor at Radboud University, investigated the impact of the coronavirus crisis on Dutch relationships and families. Kluwer: ‘Work pressure, possible illness and financial worries, combined with uncertainty about the future, can exacerbate the stress at home to a considerable degree.’

The Utrecht psychologist worked on this project, made possible by a 'COVID-19: Science for Practice' ZonMw grant, together with researchers from Radboud University, Utrecht University and NVRG and EFT Nederland, two professional organisations for relationship therapy and family therapy. Kluwer: ‘Using online questionnaires, in July and in October 2020, we surveyed the experiences of cohabiting and married couples (1,002 respondents), both with and without children, living at home.’

The majority of respondents report either no or positive changes in partner and family relationships as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

Resilient

According to Kluwer, the image of resilient relationships and families during the first eight months of the COVID-19 pandemic prevails in their research. ‘A lot has changed as a result of the coronavirus crisis. People are spending more time on housework and on children, are experiencing more work pressure and have fewer social contacts. Nevertheless, the majority of respondents report either no or positive changes in partner and family relationships as a result of the coronavirus crisis. People have more time for each other and are sharing more things with each other than before the crisis.’

Stress

At the same time, around 10% report a negative impact and more relationship problems and family problems with possibly a large 'hidden' impact. ‘Stress and tension, for example due to work, health or finances, is consistently associated with a more negative impact of the coronavirus crisis, more relationship problems and family problems and more verbal abuse between partners.’ However, according to Kluwer, this is particularly the case when stress is accompanied by lacking external social support and when partners cannot cope well with stress together. ‘It is crucial that the government and professionals attend to measures that strengthen the social support provided by people outside the household and that improve couples’ and parents’ stress regulation.’

Relationship and family therapy

The use of and need for services for relationship problems and family problems was limited in this sample. Respondents also estimate the effectiveness of any assistance provided to be lower than would appear from scientific research. Kluwer: ‘A public campaign and/or provision of information by the government and professionals about relationship therapy and family therapy is to be recommended, especially to reach at-risk groups.’ In addition, the waiting times for receiving professional help are a point of concern, while according to many respondents, having costs reimbursed would make professional help for relationship issues and family problems more accessible.

It is quite conceivable that negative effects on relationships and families will only become apparent in the spring of 2021.

Coronavirus fatigue

The current results show a stable picture during the first eight months of the COVID-19 pandemic. But Kluwer is not yet convinced: ‘It is quite conceivable that stress and “coronavirus fatigue” will hit harder as the crisis continues and that negative effects on relationships and families will only become apparent in the spring of 2021. This is why we conducted a third measurement in February 2021, the results of which are expected soon.’

The research report describes preliminary results that have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. The conclusions may still change.