Published: 2025-12-12

Free sharing with family members in times of crisis is linked with fewer internalizing symptoms: A network analysis

dr Marcin Moroń , dr hab. Dariusz Krok, prof. UO
Family Forum
Section: Varia (o rodzinie)
DOI https://doi.org/10.25167/FF/5630

Abstract

Mental health of individuals depends on the quality of their communication with family members. Despite the general positive links between satisfaction with communication within the family and internalizing symptomatology, less is known about the particular communication behaviors and internalizing symptoms. In a study conducted during the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, we collected reports of family communication (e.g., the possibility to freely share opinions, making decisions together, valuing the role of communication), depression, and anxiety symptoms from 267 adult participants (65.17% women). We analyzed the network of associations between particular communication behaviors and symptoms. We showed that feeling free to share one’s opinions with family members had the highest expected influence on all the symptoms included in the analysis. Additionally, we showed that individuals enjoying time with family members had fewer suicidal ideations, whereas people satisfied with communication with family members reported less pathological worrying.

Keywords:

family communication, family crisis, network analysis, mental health, depression and anxiety

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Citation rules

Moroń, M., & Krok, D. (2025). Free sharing with family members in times of crisis is linked with fewer internalizing symptoms: A network analysis. Family Forum, 15, 275–292. https://doi.org/10.25167/FF/5630

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