Influence of Family Communication on Perceived Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: This descriptive-correlational study analyzed the relationship between family communication and perceived stress during the Covid-19 pandemic in Colombia. Methods: The participants were 800 Colombians, between 18 and 91 years old (Mean = 33,91; Standard Deviation = 15,75), who responded with prior informed consent to three reliable instruments: Parent-Child Communication Scale (PACS), Perceived Stress Scale (EEP-10), and the Scale of Stressful Concerns in the Covid-19 Pandemic (EPEP). Results: Findings revealed high levels of negative stress at the beginning and end of qua-rantine that had to do with economic, work, family, and health concerns. Family communication proved to be a significant predictor of stress. In that sense, it was observed that open communication between household members is associated with a reduction in negative stress (r =-,103***). However, when communication at home is mediated by frequent offenses (β =,719 ***), and is combined with health concerns (β =. 723 ***), and family co-existence (β =, 657***), it increases predictively high negative stress by up to 37.9% of the total variance. Conclusions: these findings suggest strengthening family dialogue and collective coping strategies to reduce stress and learn to better manage concerns in this pandemic context surrounded by fears and uncertainties. Finally, recommendations from the fields of psychology and communication in health are given to focus on preventive actions against high or chronic stress. © 2021, Universidad del Norte. All rights reserved.