Family Well-Being, Hardiness, and Coping Under Socioeconomic Disruption: Evidence From Thai Families Raising Young Children Exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified vulnerabilities among families raising young children, particularly those exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Evidence remains limited on how family well-being, resilience orientations, and coping interact under sustained structural constraint in middle-income contexts. This mixed-methods study examined family well-being, family hardiness, and family coping among 212 Thai families raising children aged 0–6 years with ACE scores ≥ 2 in Bangkok, of whom 26.9% had ACE scores ≥ 4. Quantitative analyses used descriptive statistics and Pearson’s correlation, complemented by qualitative interviews. Overall family well-being was moderate (M = 3.38), with stronger relational and value-based domains but weaker economic conditions. Families demonstrated high family hardiness (M = 42.32), particularly in cohesion and commitment, alongside limited perceived control. Family well-being was strongly associated with family hardiness (r = .64) and moderately associated with family coping (r = .46). Qualitative findings highlighted self-reliance and emotional endurance amid economic insecurity. These findings suggest that families sustain relational well-being through internal resilience orientations despite structural constraints. Family hardiness serves as a foundational resource, while coping operates within bounded conditions, underscoring the need for policies that address material vulnerability, including income security and accessible childcare support, particularly among single-parent and skipped-generation households.
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