COVID-19 and Work–Family Conflicts in Germany: Risks and Chances Across Gender and Parenthood

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically affected everyone’s daily life in one way or another, requiring a re-negotiation of existing strategies for work–life integration, not only for individuals but also within families and partnerships. To contribute to existing knowledge on work-life integration during COVID-19 in Germany, we look at gender and parenthood differences in the experiences of work-to-family (WFC) and family-to-work (FWC) conflicts. By accounting for employees’ previous conflict experiences, we were able to reveal the extent to which the current conditions contributed to differences in these conflicts. Moreover, we explored the relevance of demands and resources in the family and work spheres as a way to explain different levels of WFC and FWC across gender and parenthood. Our analyses are based on a sample of 660 employees from a German linked employer–employee panel study and a COVID-19 follow-up survey conducted in late 2020. Results revealed that work–family conflict experiences before the pandemic play an important role in current conflict perceptions. Whereas WFC were more likely to be accentuated during the pandemic, prior FWC experiences may have helped to mitigate conflicts under these new conditions. Work–family conflicts in general have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this finding applied only to conflicts in the family-to-work direction. Although such increases were not limited to parents, they were particularly high in this group. Overall, gender differences in work–family conflicts were absent, but differences were found between mothers and fathers. The need to compensate for a lack of external childcare, as well as having to work from home, increased FWC, especially among fathers. This study suggests that FWC in particular became more important during the pandemic; however, parents were not the only ones who were disadvantaged when it came to work–life integration; childless individuals likewise struggled to balance the demands of work and private life.

Changing Family Relationships During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case of Elder Abuse

Since the first confirmed case being identified in January 2020, authorities in Hong Kong have implemented various measures in an attempt to control the spread of the disease. These measures include compulsory quarantining of infected persons and those suspected of exposure, temporary closure of high-risk premises, and suspension of public activities and services, encouraging work-from-home arrangement etc. These measures, however, may exacerbate the impact of known risk factors and create new avenues for elder mistreatment. Life stress, financial strains and work-from-home arrangements increase chances of family conflicts, cessation of public services increases burden in the already stressed caregivers. This study examines the changing intergenerational family relations in the midst of the pandemic. A total of 1200 community dwelling senior citizens participated through responding to a telephone survey. Information was collected on participants’ demographic characteristics, perceived disruptions brought about by COVID-19, family relations, physical and mental health, etc. Family conflicts and abuse were commonly reported: 27.8% reported family conflicts, 14.5% psychological abuse, 3.1% physical abuse, 3.9% financial abuse. A large proportion of participants (41.8%), however, also reported improved family relations during the pandemic. Results of logistic regression indicate that advanced age, female gender, poor financial situation were significant predictors for family conflicts and abuse. Contrary to our expectations, pandemic related disruptions in daily lives and perceived safety in the community were not associated in family conflicts and abuse in the present sample.

Peran Kiai Dalam Menyelesaikan Konflik Keluarga

An interesting phenomenon that occurs in the people of the Tanjung Pura Subdistrict, Langkat Regency, who still consider the kiai to be a highly respected and respected figure. In terms of problems that occur between husband and wife such as nusyuz and syiqaq, people still believe that by telling the kiai, they will get the best solution as an effort to resolve conflicts that occur in their families. This type of research is juridical-empirical law research (Socio-Legal Research). This research was conducted by looking for field data (field research) and library research, namely analyzing data sources on books. Data collection techniques were carried out by conducting interviews with kiai and communities in several villages in the Tanjung Pura District, Langkat Regency. The purpose of this study was to determine the role played by the kiai in resolving family conflicts in Tanjung Pura District, Langkat Regency and to find out the review of Islamic law and its legislation related to the resolution of family conflicts involving a kiai. The results of the research that have been carried out conclude that the kiai has a role in reducing family conflicts in the community in the Tanjung Pura District, Langkat Regency, including the first role of the kiai in providing good solutions to problems faced by married couples, secondly the role of the kiai in trying to reconcile husband and wife. -wife who is in disagreement, the three roles of the kiai are good protectors in an effort to resolve family conflicts. Islam gives up the freedom of settlement to reach an agreement to make peace for those who are in dispute. This is done because Islah-shulh is part of Islamic teachings to resolve a dispute or conflict peacefully. However, it is different from the laws and regulations which have their own rules in the implementation of mediation in court. In accordance with Perma No. 1 of 2016 Article 13 that to be a mediator in the mediation process must have a certificate. With regard to efforts to resolve family conflicts by involving the kiai as hakam, this is permissible. However, the role of the kiai as a mediator or hakam can only be carried out in an effort to resolve disputes that have not been submitted to court with the consent of the conflicting parties. Unless, the kiai already has a certificate as a mediator. Keywords: kiai; mediator; Family

A three-wave longitudinal study on the relation between commuting strain and somatic symptoms in university students: exploring the role of learning-family conflicts

Background We examine the role of learning-family conflicts for the relation between commuting strain and health in a sample of medical university students. The first goal of the study was to investigate the mediating role of learning-family conflicts. The second goal was to extend the temporal view on relations between study variables. Therefore, we differentiated long-term systematic change among variables over a period of two-years from a dynamic perspective with repeated commuting events on the individual level of analyses. Methods We applied a multilevel research design and collected survey data from 128 medical students on three points in time (N = 339 measurement points). Participants informed about commuting strain, learning-family conflicts, somatic symptoms, as well as commuting distance and time. Results Bayesian multilevel analyses showed that results differed with regard to level of analysis: while learning-family conflicts mediated the relation between commuting strain and somatic symptoms on a systematic aggregation-level perspective of analysis (indirect effect estimatebetween = 0.13, SE = .05, 95% CI [0.05; ∞), Evidence Ratio = 250.57), this was not the case on the dynamic event perspective (indirect effect estimatewithin = 0.00, SE = 0.00, 95% CI [− 0.01; ∞), Evidence Ratio = 0.84). Conclusions We demonstrated that learning-family conflicts explain why commuting may have unfavorable effects on health for medical students. We also showed that it is the long-term commuting experience that is related to health complaints and not the single commuting event. This means that short-term deviations from general levels of commuting strain do not cause somatic symptoms, but general high levels of commuting strain do instead.

Some eating habits and physical activity of players performing in e-sports

Reading the rapidly growing popularity of video games and the accelerating growth of the esports industry requires research into its potential health benefits or harms. The amount of time that esports players spend sitting at computer equipment can have potential negative consequences, including a higher risk of injuries and chronic diseases, of the musculoskeletal system, primarily the muscles of the neck area and cervical spine, visual impairment, and carpal tunnel syndrome. A number of studies have shown that excessive addiction to video games can lead to a wide range of negative mental and then social consequences, such as loss of interest in external activities, social isolation, sleep disturbance, poor academic performance, irritability, aggression, family conflicts, dissatisfaction with everyday life, and decreased memory. Further research in this area is necessary to analyze information about the characteristics of eating behavior, level of physical activity, energy expenditure, body composition of e-sportsmen in order to identify possible potential for improving health, endurance indicators, and sports performance.

Special aspects of intergenerational intra-family conflicts during the pandemic

The article deals with intergenerational conflicts within the family during the COVID-19 pandemic. The author reveals the topic of small groups isolation in the professional sphere: sailors, cosmonauts, polar explorers, members of long research expeditions. The topic of isolation is not new to psychology, since scientists in the middle of the last century faced this problem when they began to send expeditions to the poles, astronauts into space, etc. It analyses articles on the subject of isolation during the pandemic and reveals a mixed view of how families behave during this difficult time for society.

Job demands and resources and their relationship with satisfaction and thriving at work in a sample of Chinese doctors: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThe current study aimed to evaluate the status quo of perceived job demands and resources respectively among Chinese doctors, to examine the mediating role of work–family conflicts in the relationship between perceived job demands and various indicators of well-being, and to test the mediating role of psychological attachment in the relationship between perceived job resources and thriving at work among Chinese doctors.DesignA cross-sectional online survey study.SettingOnline questionnaires were administered across 30 provinces.ParticipantsA total of 2617 doctors provided sufficiently complete responses to be used in the study.ResultsPerceived job demands (M=3.843, SD=0.791) of participants were positively associated with work–family conflicts (B=0.454, p<0.001) and negatively associated with job satisfaction (B=−0.065, p<0.001) and life satisfaction (B=−0.261, p<0.001). Work–family conflicts partially mediated the relationship between job demands and life satisfaction and fully mediated the relationship between job demands and job satisfaction. Perceived job resources (M=2.474, SD=0.740) among Chinese doctors were positively associated with psychological attachment (B=0.988, p<0.001) and thriving at work (B=0.582, p<0.001). Furthermore, psychological attachment partially mediated the relationship between perceived job resources and thriving at work.ConclusionDoctors in China with high-level job demands tended to exhibit increased work–family conflicts, which in turn threatened their job and life satisfaction. On the contrary, doctors with greater job resources were more likely to thrive at work by increasing their degree of psychological attachment. The current study suggested that Chinese health policymakers and hospital administrators should provide a work environment with a dynamic equilibrium between doctors’ job demands and resources.

Relationship between Diabetes Family Conflicts or Problem Recognition in Illness Self-Management and Quality of Life of Adolescents with T1DM and Their Parents

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between diabetes family conflicts or problem recognition in illness self-management (PRISM) and the parental perceived quality of life (QoL) of adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and their parents. This was a cross-sectional study, and the participants comprised 111 parents of type 1 diabetes adolescents; data were collected via an online survey and analyzed by descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple linear regression analysis using the IBM SPSS 25.0 program. The explanatory power of the QoL model in parents of adolescents with T1DM, constructed using three variables—diabetes family conflict (B = −0.56), regimen pain and bother (B = −11.25), and peer interactions (B = −7.48), which are PRISM barriers—was 35.7% (F = 5.70, p < 0.001). Diabetes family conflicts (B = −0.86) and peer interactions (B = −9.04) explained 57.3% of the variance in the parental perceived QoL of adolescents with T1DM (F = 12.33, p < 0.001). In order to improve the QoL in parents and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, interventions to effectively manage diabetes family conflicts and improve peer interactions are necessary.

PANDEMIA DA COVID-19: indicadores do impacto na saúde mental de adolescentes

The COVID-19 pandemic is imposing major changes in the psychosocial environment of the affected countries, impacting their whole population. The aim of this article is to analyze adolescents’ anxiety, stress and depression levels during the COVID-19 pandemic and to correlate anxiety, stress and depression levels with the adolescents’ perception about the impact of the pandemic in their lives. The research was quantitative, correlational and cross-sectional. The sample consisted of 77 brazilian adolescentes, between the ages of 12 and 18 who accepted to participate in the online research. All the ethical procedures were adopted and the participants were asked to answer a sociodemographic questionnaire, a questionnaire composed of specific questions related to their perception about the impact of the pandemic, and the DASS-21 scale. The data analysis showed symptoms considered extremely severe and severe of anxiety in 33,8% of the adolescents, of depression in 36,4% and stress in 36,1%. These symptoms were positively correlated to feelings of helplessness in mental health care and family conflicts. These results show that the pandemic can be faced by adolescents as a complicated period that can cause suffering, intensifying their vulnerabilities and limiting access to support systems.