Family experiences during illness outbreaks: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: During the pandemic and associated lockdowns, many families from around the world experienced financial and confinement stress and the reorganisation of family caregiving responsibilities. Several studies have been conducted about the impact of the pandemic on family wellbeing. The aim of this systematic review was to identify, synthesize and critique relevant studies in this field. Methods: Following Cochrane Collaboration and PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was performed in databases including MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, SocINDEX and PubMed. Peer-reviewed studies that examined the experiences of families during infectious disease outbreaks were included. Quality assessment was undertaken using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. A narrative synthesis approach was employed. Results: Eighty-four papers were found, all conducted during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the majority from the USA and presented from the perspective of parents/caregivers. Synthesized results focused on how family experiences, the dyad relationship and parenting behaviours were impacted during Covid-19. Conclusion: Although some families reported positive growth, socially and financially vulnerable families were more negatively impacted than others during the pandemic. The review highlights the important role of families during times of stress and possible intervention targets. Keywords: family, parenting, pandemic, infectious disease, covid-19