Relational Intensification in Families During COVID ‐19: A Comparative Study of Slovenia and Croatia

ABSTRACT Objective This study examines how young people in Slovenia and Croatia perceived changes in family satisfaction, parent–child relationship quality, and family influence on important decisions before, during, and after the COVID‐19 pandemic. Background Pandemic restrictions redirected daily life toward family contexts and intensified family co‐presence for many young people, heightening intergenerational interaction and autonomy negotiation. Although families are often framed as buffers or stressors, less is known about how young people experienced family functioning across national contexts. Method A convergent mixed‐methods design integrated nationally representative survey data from 2018 and 2023 ( N = 2503; ages 16–29; balanced gender distribution) with 10 focus groups ( N = 80). Analyses assessed family satisfaction, parent–child relationship quality, and perceived influence on important decisions. Results Family relationships remained generally positive, yet relational intensity increased during the pandemic. Slovenian participants reported greater shifts toward moderate evaluations and heightened negotiation, whereas Croatian participants showed more stability and stronger extended kin involvement. Qualitative findings revealed the coexistence of emotional support and tension under conditions of intensified family co‐presence and restricted mobility. Conclusion Family resilience during COVID‐19 operated through dynamic recalibration of boundaries and authority, integrating both cohesion and strain. Implications Practitioners and policymakers should strengthen family communication, autonomy‐supportive practices, and external support systems during societal disruption.