An increase in family dinners during the COVID pandemic has helped improve family dynamics and keep people connected with relatives.
Research by the American Psychological Association showed that improved family interactions were a positive upside from the pandemic lockdown.
This changed behaviour appeared to be having ongoing positive effects for families.
“The pandemic changed many aspects of our lives, some for the better,” study lead author Anne Fishel from the Massachusetts General Hospital said.
“Even though parents did not purposely sign up to have more shared mealtimes, increases in family dinners were largely linked with improvements in the quality of pandemic-era family dinners.”
Dr Fishel said the findings also highlighted the potential benefits of using technology to connect with extended family and incorporating current events into dinner conversations.
“The continued use of remote technology to connect with those not physically present may bring ongoing opportunities for family bonding and children’s feeling a sense of belonging to a larger unit, which we know is protective for their well-being,” she said.
The study, published in the journal Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, was based on data from more than 500 families.
More than 60 percent of respondents reported eating dinner together more often during the pandemic compared with pre-pandemic times.
This was accompanied by a significant increase in positive interactions.
These included:
- 56 percent said they increased talking about their days during dinner
- 60 percent said they increased talking about their identity as a family
- 60 percent said they increased expressing gratitude
- 67 percent said they increased laughing together
- 59 percent said they felt more connected to each other around the dinner table
The researchers also found an increase in families incorporating news and information from the outside world into their dinner conversations.
This potentially helped children to have a safe space to discuss anxieties and questions with their parents.
The full report is on the American Psychological Association website.
