The Role of Family Functioning and Social Connectedness in Shaping Individual Quality of Life During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted individuals’ well-being, social ties and family dynamics. While family and social interactions and bonds are known to enhance psychological adjustment and well-being, their role in influencing individual quality of life during times of crisis remains underexplored. The aims of this study were: to investigate the relationship between family functioning, social connectedness and individual quality of life; and to examine the direct and indirect effects of family functioning on the individual quality of life, through social connectedness, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 814 participants, using self-report measures. Correlation coefficients were calculated to analyze the associations between variables. Regression-based analyses were performed to examine direct and indirect effects. Social connectedness mediated the link between family functioning and individual quality of life. This mediation model explained 41% of the variance in individual quality of life. These findings highlight the importance of positive family functioning and the sense of safeness and connectedness within the larger social environment in promoting individual quality of life during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions that strengthen family relationships seem to foster social bonds and ultimately improve quality of life outcomes in times of societal stress.