Influence of family strengths

mothers’ perceptions during the pandemic

Authors

Keywords:

Family Relations, Mother-Child Relations, Maternal Health, Pandemics, COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: To identify how family strengths influenced the experience of the pandemic among mothers of children and adolescents.

Method: A retrospective, quantitative study was conducted with a sample of 389 mothers of children and young people between 2021 and 2022. The data collection instrument included sociodemographic information and the family strengths questionnaire. A statistical program was used for data analysis, and descriptive and inferential analyses were performed.

Results: Family strengths in pandemic contexts are highly valued by mothers from different countries (95% CI: 111-115). It was found that family strengths are influenced by the education level, marital status, and perception of family functioning of mothers who experienced a pandemic situation (p<0.001).

Conclusion: It is important to implement intervention policies in pandemic contexts that enhance family strengths, valuing the perception of family functionality, education, and mothers' marital status. Family strengths seem to influence a healthier experience of adverse situations, as was the case with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Author Biographies

Carolina Miguel da Graça Henriques, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal.

PhD in Nursing. Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal.

Sónia Ramalho, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal.

PhD in Psychological Intervention in Health, Education and Quality of Life. Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal.

Maria de Fátima Graça Frade, Lisbon School of Nursing, Lisbon, Portugal.

PhD in Social Sciences. Assistant Professor at the Lisbon School of Nursing, Lisbon, Portugal.

João Manual da Graça Frade, Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal.

PhD in Public Health. Professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Leiria, Portugal.

 

Tereza Maria Mendes Diniz de Andrade Barroso, Coimbra School of Nursing, Coimbra, Portugal.

PhD in Nursing. Professor at the Coimbra School of Nursing, Coimbra, Portugal.

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Published

2025-10-20

How to Cite

Henriques, C. M. da G., Ramalho, S., Frade, M. de F. G., Frade, J. M. da G., & Barroso, T. M. M. D. de A. (2025). Influence of family strengths: mothers’ perceptions during the pandemic. Cogitare Enfermagem, 30. Retrieved from https://revistas.ufpr.br/cogitare/article/view/99182

Issue

Section

Research