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Crisis, Family and Well-Being: Evidence from Pandemic, War and Historical Heritage Studies

Dr .Vytenis Juozas Deimantas, who completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Vytautas Kavolis Transdisciplinary Research Institute at Vytautas Magnus University from 2024 to 2025, conducted a research programme examining the impact of various macro-level crises, including the ongoing war in Ukraine, the long-term consequences of the Soviet occupation, and the global pandemic, on family structures, human well-being, and social relations. The research covered three interrelated yet methodologically independent areas, providing an understanding of the role of the family in times of crisis.

 

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Millennials’ Intentions to Have Children in Lithuania

 

A published article (Filosofija. Sociologija, 2024) analysed how pandemic restrictions and associated social and economic tensions impacted the childbearing plans of individuals born between 1985 and 1989. Based on representative data from 2021, the following was found:

 

  • A decline in quality of life and life satisfaction increases the likelihood of putting off plans to have children.

  • Paradoxically, being in a relationship is also associated with a higher likelihood of postponement, as couples experienced additional emotional and financial pressures during the pandemic.

  • Compared to subjective well-being, other factors (financial security, physical or mental health) had less influence.

 

This study revealed that pandemic-related instability affected people’s emotional well-being rather than their material resources, which was directly reflected in family planning.

 

The Impact of War and Forced Migration on the Well-Being of Ukrainian Refugees in Germany

 

The second study examined unique data types, Google Trends digital footprints and „IAB–BiB / FReDA–BAMF–SOEP“ survey data to analyse the experiences of Ukrainian war refugees in Germany. The following was found:

 

  • Having a partner in Germany is one of the most important factors contributing to life satisfaction.
  • Being geographically separated from children (i.e. children remaining in Ukraine) can significantly reduce well-being and increase psychological stress.
  • Employment significantly increases well-being, while a high level of education is unexpectedly associated with lower well-being due to unfulfilled professional expectations.

 

The study showed that war severely disrupts normal family ties and that emotional and social well-being are closely related to whether family members can live and function together. Forced migration is not only a logistical challenge, but also a deeply emotional one.

 

The Role of the Family in Subjective Loneliness in Post-Socialist Eurasian Countries

 

The third study examined loneliness levels among millennials in six post-socialist countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Moldova and Kazakhstan), using data from the Generations and Gender Survey and “Study on Families and Inequalities”. The results revealed that:

 

  • Baltic states have higher levels of loneliness than the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region.
  • Having a partner is a key protective factor, significantly reducing the likelihood of loneliness.
  • Having children has a smaller impact on loneliness than being in a partnership.
  • Sociodemographic factors only partially explain the differences between regions, meaning that the long-term legacy of occupation and changes in social structures remain important explanatory mechanisms.

 

This study demonstrates that, even three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union, historical heritage continues to be a significant factor in shaping social relations and psychological well-being.

 

Summary

 

Research suggests that during crises, the family operates as a dual system – offering protection while also being susceptible to vulnerability.

 

All three studies complement each other, enabling us to conclude that:

 

  • Crises, such as pandemics, wars or the historical legacy of occupation, have a strong impact on family structures and the emotional well-being of family members.
  • The family becomes the main protective mechanism, cushioning stress and uncertainty.
  • Family resilience depends on the ability to maintain emotional and physical connections, which are often disrupted during crises.

 

This research contributes significantly to the fields of sociology and demography in Lithuania and internationally by providing new insights into social well-being, family planning and loneliness in times of crisis.

 

Photo: Unsplash

Susiję įrašai