Relational intensification in families during COVID-19: a comparative study of Slovenia and Croatia

Naterer, Andrej and Potočnik, Dunja and Lahe, Danijela (2026) Relational intensification in families during COVID-19: a comparative study of Slovenia and Croatia. Family relations. pp. 1-14. ISSN 0197-6664 (Print), 1741-3729 (Online)

Text FR Naterer, Potočnik, Lahe.pdf Download (468kB)

Abstract

IN ENGLISH: Objective: This study examines how young people in Slovenia and Croatia perceived changes in family satisfaction, parent– child relationship quality, and family influence on important decisions before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Background: Pandemic restrictions redirected daily life toward family contexts and intensified family co-presence for many young people, heightening intergenerational interaction and autonomy negotiation. Although families are often framed as buff- ers or stressors, less is known about how young people experienced family functioning across national contexts. Method: A convergent mixed-methods design integrated nationally representative survey data from 2018 and 2023 (N = 2503; ages 16–29; balanced gender distribution) with 10 focus groups (N = 80). Analyses assessed family satisfaction, parent–child rela- tionship quality, and perceived influence on important decisions. Results: Family relationships remained generally positive, yet relational intensity increased during the pandemic. Slovenian participants reported greater shifts toward moderate evaluations and heightened negotiation, whereas Croatian participants showed more stability and stronger extended kin involvement. Qualitative findings revealed the coexistence of emotional support and tension under conditions of intensified family co-presence and restricted mobility. Conclusion: Family resilience during COVID-19 operated through dynamic recalibration of boundaries and authority, integrating both cohesion and strain. Implications: Practitioners and policymakers should strengthen family communication, autonomy-supportive practices, and external support systems during societal disruption. --------------- IN CROATIAN: Cilj: Ova studija ispituje kako su mladi u Sloveniji i Hrvatskoj percipirali promjene u zadovoljstvu obitelji, kvaliteti odnosa roditelj-dijete i utjecaju obitelji na važne odluke prije, tijekom i nakon pandemije COVID-19. Pozadina: Pandemijska ograničenja preusmjerila su svakodnevni život prema obiteljskom kontekstu i intenzivirala obiteljsku suprisutnost za mnoge mlade, pojačavajući međugeneracijsku interakciju i pregovaranje o autonomiji. Iako se obitelji često doživljavaju kao branik ili stresor, manje se zna o tome kako su mladi ljudi doživljavali funkcioniranje obitelji u različitim nacionalnim kontekstima. Metoda: Konvergentni dizajn mješovitih metoda integrirao je nacionalno reprezentativne podatke ankete iz 2018. i 2023. (N = 2503; dob 16-29; uravnotežena spolna raspodjela) s 10 fokus grupa (N = 80). Analize su procijenile zadovoljstvo obitelji, kvalitetu odnosa roditelj-dijete i percipirani utjecaj na važne odluke. Rezultati: Obiteljski odnosi ostali su općenito pozitivni, no intenzitet odnosa se povećao tijekom pandemije. Slovenski sudionici izvijestili su o većim pomacima prema umjerenim procjenama i pojačanom pregovaranju, dok su hrvatski sudionici pokazali veću stabilnost i jaču uključenost šire obitelji. Kvalitativni nalazi otkrili su koegzistenciju emocionalne podrške i napetosti u uvjetima pojačane obiteljske suprisutnosti i ograničene mobilnosti. Zaključak: Otpornost obitelji tijekom COVID-19 djelovala je kroz dinamičnu rekalibraciju granica i autoriteta, integrirajući i koheziju i napetost. Implikacije: Praktičari i kreatori politika trebali bi ojačati obiteljsku komunikaciju, prakse podrške autonomiji i vanjske sustave podrške tijekom društvenih poremećaja.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	Language: English. - Title in Croatian: Intenziviranje obiteljskih odnosa tijekom pandemije bolesti COVID-19: komparativna studija Slovenije i Hrvatske.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Comparative research, COVID-19, family functioning, family resilience, parent–child relationships, youth autonomy (komparativno istraživanje, COVID-19, funkcioniranje obitelji, otpornost obitelji, odnos roditelj-dijete, autonomija djece)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Depositing User:	Karolina
Date Deposited:	01 Sep 2026 11:18
Last Modified:	02 Sep 2026 12:34
URI:	http://idiprints.knjiznica.idi.hr/id/eprint/1303

Actions (login required)

View Item