A new article in Family Relations which is based upon work from our COST Action ‘Transnational Family Dynamics in Europe, CA21143’, supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) was published. It explores the pandemic’s impact on care, communication, and connection in transnational families.
Authors: Judit Vegh, Bogdan Voicu, Margarida Martins Barroso, Alexandra Deliu, Tali Heiman, Iulia-Elena Hossu, Karpava Sviatlana, Armela Maxhelaku, Dorit Olenik Shemesh, Magdalena Ślusarczyk, Martina Wilsch, Anna Wojtyńska, and Brunilda Zenelaga
It can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.70019
Abstract
Objective
The article reviews literature on the implications and effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on transnational families (TNFs), gathering up-to-date evidence of how the pandemic changed the dynamics of TNFs in different life dimensions, how these families have coped with adversity, and how the academic debate is recognizing the complexity of transnationality in situations of crisis.
Background
Transnational families consist of members who live in multiple countries while maintaining a sense of familyhood (Bryceson & Vuorela, 2002). The COVID-19 pandemic presents significant challenges for TNFs as crisis responses prioritize national borders and institutions.
Method
A scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for Scoping Reviews (Tricco et al., 2018), and Peters et al.’s (2015) guidance for systematic reviews. Of the 113 references identified, 29 met the scoping review’s inclusion criteria.
Results
The effects of the pandemic on TNFs were particularly noticeable in terms of uncertainty, psychological health, communication, social networks, care, and time use.
Conclusion
Mobility restrictions and concerns about disease spread were significantly challenging. Although TNFs were able to adapt rapidly by using technology and innovative solutions to maintain their relationships, social inequalities were also exposed by the pandemic.
Implications
Robust support systems are needed for TNFs, both at their point of origin and destination, to assist them in managing challenging circumstances that disrupt their daily routines and interactions. Future research could further explore and develop these support systems to better address these challenges.