Investigating the Impact of Isolation During COVID-19 on Family Functioning – An Australian Snapshot

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• applied in an idiographic and inductive manner to reduce the loss of individual experiences and perspectives

• At an individual level, interventions such as life-crafting have been discussed. In general, having a clear meaning and purpose in life appears to facilitate good mental health and well-being. In lockdown, when activity is restricted and loss of purpose, employment and relationships abound, life-crafting may enable individuals to refocus and regain a sense of purpose and significance (de Jong et al., 2020). Life-crafting interventions help people find meaning in life by actively reflecting on their present and future lives, identifying specific goals, making concrete plans to achieve those goals and managing potential obstacles (Schippers and Ziegler, 2019; de Jong et al., 2020). A number of other interventions have also been explored as potential supports during lockdown including Acceptance Commitment Therapy (Landi et al., 2020) and a virtual reality-based self-help intervention (Riva et al., 2021).

• Cohesive and supportive family processes have been found to protect individuals from the negative effects of life stress (Hobfoll and Spielberger, 1992)

• Although these early studies provide important insight into family relationships, further qualitative research is required to elaborate on our understanding of key aspects of family functioning such as routines, rituals, and rules, during the pandemic

• Authors JS, AA, PT, AD, and AR were randomly allocated 6–7 transcripts each. The authors read and undertook a full analysis on each transcript. This involved reading and then re-reading each transcript and highlighting quotes which held meaning for the participant, the researcher, and the research question. Transcripts were then coded to identify verbal content at a micro level. Codes were clustered to identify key concepts within the transcript. Comparisons and contrasts of these concepts were then made across transcripts through recursive and reflective discussion. Reoccurring concepts were identified and developed into provisional super- and sub-ordinate themes. Authors then reviewed their allocated transcripts against the themes, highlighting relevant quotes as well as contrary cases. This stage of analysis also served to check for any relevant data that had not been captured by the themes. During a second collaborative discussion, the themes were revised and finalised.

• Reflexivity The first author led the data collection and analysis. At the time of this study, she was a Clinical Psychologist, Associate Professor and parent living in Victoria, Australia. Her interest and perspectives on the subject matter were informed by a lived experience of parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic and a history of working with families as a clinician and researcher

• Rituals/Routines of Connection

• The findings from this study provide insight into the experiences of Australian families during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts of lockdown.

• increased use of urban green space during lockdown, with a 291% increase in outdoor recreational activity reported (Venter et al., 2020), suggesting a change in the ways in which we use our environments. Further research is needed to explore this issue and the impacts on family functioning and well-being.

• the development of new rituals