Consecuencias psicológicas de la pandemia COVID-19 por la afectación laboral en familias de clase media

Abstract

Contextualizing the present research, it should be mentioned that humanity is currently undergoing a series of changes and adaptations that have affected to a lesser or greater degree individuals, families, institutions and entire communities; losses, stoppages and restrictions have occurred since the beginning of the year 2020 and that today, although not to the same extent, still affect the stability and well-being of individuals. The psychological consequences of the labor affectation in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic have been evidenced in multiple studies worldwide; the increase in unemployment, labor inactivity, and business failures have generated insecurity and economic instability in families and individuals, therefore, it is important to address this problem from a psychological perspective not only individual but also family systemic, to understand the relational processes that have affected and have been affected by this crisis situation of humanity, it is also important to visualize how the functionality of these families could be restored. Thus, the objective of the present research is to analyze the impact experienced by middle-class families due to the labor affectation as a consequence of Covid-19, through the analysis of cases, in order to understand its incidence on the mental health of those affected and the importance of approaching it from a psychological and systemic perspective. In accordance with the above, the following categories of analysis were taken into account for the research: the psychological consequences due to the labor affectation and the functionality of the affected families; in addition, within this last category, emphasis is placed on the socio-familial support presented in this crisis situation. Taking these categories, we obtained important data and verified the presence of psychological consequences due to labor affectation as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, from the study of three cases of families of different typology, of middle class in the city of Machala, for which we used a mixed methodology with a descriptive-exploratory scope, by means of the use of different psychological instruments such as the semi-structured interview, which allowed us to inquire in different areas related to the problem under study, accompanied by the clinical observation that allows us to capture relevant body expressions during the interview, the FACES III family evaluation scale, to know the functionality of the family in terms of cohesion and flexibility after facing a complex and unforeseen situation and in which several of the members presented different affectations in their mental health, the F-COPES scale, which allows us to know the obtaining of social support, the search for spiritual support, the mobilization of the family to obtain and accept help, restructuring and passive evaluation, which are effective attitudes and behaviors that the family system has for the resolution of problems or a crisis.