STUDENT: Emily Pinto

ADVISOR: Dr. Ray Petren

ABSTRACT:

Family routines can buffer the effects of environmental changes such as those caused by Covid-19, but routines are also vulnerable to disruption during times of change. The purpose of this study was to examine: (1) how family routines changed in the context of Covid-19 and (2) contextual factors associated with family routine changes. Parents of children ages 5-12 completed a survey on family routines and functioning during Covid-19 (N = 179). Qualitative thematic analysis was used to analyze responses to a single open-ended question (“How has Covid-19 changed your family routines?”). In response to both lack of external structure and lack of external demands during Covid-19, families adapted by establishing and adjusting routines, relaxing routines, and lacking routines unintentionally. Resilience factors (e.g., more family time, two parents at home enabled new routines, enhancing wellbeing and bonding) and risk factors (missing external structure, feeling overwhelmed) affected changes in routines. Implications for practitioners will be discussed.