P042 - Forced cohabitation during Italy's COVID-19 lockdown: analyzing risks of negative, violent aspects across various family configurations

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Abstract

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Italian population was forced into lockdown to prevent the spread of this new virus. This event compelled families and cohabitants to spend entire days and weeks in the same physical space, interacting with partners and children with a significantly different degree of intimacy compared to the previous situation. The present study, in which 1750 participants took part, investigated the effects of forced cohabitation on different family patterns, various dimensions such as stress, time perception, evaluation of cohabitation quality, and future perspectives. A scale on cohabitation (positive and negative) was constructed ad hoc, seeking to explore how forced cohabitation may have affected relationships leading to episodes of violence. From the results, participants indicate a potential increase in separations between spouses and domestic violence due to the Covid-19 emergency. However, data on positive and negative relationships suggest a contrasting outcome; as the scale of negative relationships shows indifference, arguments, and violence to have low values. This apparent contradiction could be explained by the fundamental attribution error, which tends to underestimate situational factors. Additionally, from the qualitative analysis, a prevalence of negative words and ideas emerges linked to the experience of lockdown and forced cohabitation.

Authors

• Emanuela Mari, Sapienza, University of Rome

• Emanuela Mari, Sapienza, University of Rome

• Cricenti Clarissa, Department of Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome.

• Ginevra Tagliaferri, Department of Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome

• Jessica Burrai, Department of Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome

• Benedetta Barchielli, Department of Dynamic, Clinical Psychology and Health, “Sapienza” University of Rome.

• Alessandro Quaglieri, Universitas Mercatorum

• Giannini Anna Maria, Department of Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome.