Communication with Kin in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Demography

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted social structures and personal interactions globally.
• Understanding changes in family communication patterns is crucial for assessing social resilience and well-being.
• Pre-pandemic communication norms among non-coresident kin in urban settings require examination in light of recent events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate evolving communication patterns among non-coresident kin in New York City following the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify demographic variations in the reported increase of communication with family members.
• To assess the role of siblings and extended kin in maintaining social connections during and after the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the New York City Robin Hood Poverty Tracker survey.
• Analyzed self-reported communication frequencies and changes among non-coresident kin.
• Segmented analysis by demographic factors including race, ethnicity, and immigration status.

Main Results:

• Over 50% of New Yorkers communicated with non-coresident family members multiple times weekly during the pandemic.
• Nearly 50% reported increased communication with non-coresident kin since March 2020, particularly with siblings and extended family.
• Foreign-born, Black, and Hispanic New Yorkers, disproportionately affected by COVID-19, showed the highest likelihood of increased kin communication.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic catalyzed a significant increase in communication with non-coresident kin across New York City.
• Family ties, especially with siblings and extended relatives, served as a vital support system during the crisis.
• Vulnerable and minority populations demonstrated heightened reliance on and activation of familial communication networks.