Understanding adolescents' family communication during COVID-19: An ecological momentary design study

The COVID-19 pandemic presented many new challenges for families to navigate. The present study took place between May and September 2020 and included a racially diverse sample of adolescents (34% White/European, 30% Latine, 24% Black/African American, 9% multiracial/other race; N = 213, M_age = 15 years, 53% girls). Participants reported their affective responses to COVID-19 in a baseline survey and completed 14 days of ecological momentary assessments (3× daily) of the frequency, mode, and quality of communication with their parents and siblings, and their positive and negative affect. Adolescents with more COVID-19 negative affect reported more frequent digital communication with their siblings and reported the quality of their communication with parents and siblings as more negative. During hours when adolescents reported the quality of their communication with parents as more positive, they also reported higher positive affect and lower negative affect. During hours when adolescents reported the quality of their communication with siblings as more positive, they reported higher positive affect in the same hour. Relatedly, during hours with less negative communication with parents and siblings, adolescents reported more positive affect in the same hour. These associations were not contingent on if communication was digital or in-person. Results highlight the importance of the quality of family communication for understanding adolescents' emotions during the pandemic. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).