The impact of global crises on strengthening family foundations: A systematic review of challenges and opportunities
Subject Areas : social psychology
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Keywords: Global crises, family, challenges, opportunities,
Abstract :
Global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Gaza war have brought about profound changes in the structure and dynamics of families. These crises have posed various challenges, but they have also provided opportunities to strengthen family bonds. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the existing scientific literature to identify the challenges and opportunities created for families during these two crises. This research is a systematic review of studies on the impacts of the post-COVID period and the Gaza war on families. The search for sources was conducted in reputable databases such as PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, using keywords related to COVID-19, the Gaza war, family, and family strengthening. The inclusion criteria included articles that addressed the challenges and opportunities faced by families during these crises. The selected articles were analyzed using content analysis and a narrative synthesis method. The results of the review indicate that global crises like COVID-19 brought about challenges, including increased psychological and economic pressures on families, but also led to the strengthening of intra-family relationships and increased social cohesion. Families affected by the news of the Gaza war faced more severe challenges, including security and psychological issues, but they were able to increase their resilience through social cohesion and cultural support. The systematic review showed that both the COVID-19 pandemic and the Gaza war created specific challenges and opportunities for strengthening the family unit. The findings of this study may assist policymakers and mental health professionals in developing appropriate support programs and interventions for families facing global crises.
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