Auswirkungen der Coronapandemie auf soziale Netzwerke in Risikofamilien

Knabe, André; Kölch, Michael; Spitzer, Carsten; Reis, Olaf

BACKGROUND: The measures taken to reduce the incidence of infections during the corona pandemic brought about considerable restrictions, especially for families with school-age children. Particularly affected are families at risk, who were already confronted with mental disorders, poverty and cramped housing before the pandemic. RESEARCH QUESTION: How does the lockdown affect the composition and dynamics of the social networks of risk families? MATERIAL AND METHOD: Mixed methods analysis based on 19 problem-centered interviews and 18 standardized egocentered networks with 224 persons (alter) named by the interviewees (ego). RESULTS: Networks are weakened by the crisis. At the same time, they are the most important resource for coping. Support is lacking, especially in the care of mentally ill children. The most important sources of support are the extended family and institutional facilities. The latter proved to be particularly unreliable during the crisis. In the best case the remaining relationships are strong enough to survive the situation. In the worst case the children are not only discharged from institutional structures (day care, school, medical and therapeutic assistance) but disappear completely from institutional and social custody. Their well-being then depends solely on the competence of their parents. CONCLUSION: In times of contact restrictions, families at risk need special attention. It is not enough to wait for them to ask for help or emergency care for their children. Institutions should proactively offer practical and informal support.