Wiwattanapantuwong, Juthatip, Tuicomepee, Arunya, Suttiwan, Panrapee, Watakakosol, Rewadee, Ben-Ezra, Menachem and Goodwin, Robin (2022) For better or worse : relationship change in Thailand during COVID-19. PLoS One, 17 (5). e0264614. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0264614 ISSN 1932-6203.

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Abstract

Objective:
Novel infectious diseases have the potential to both strengthen or weaken interpersonal relationships within a society. In a collectivist setting such as Thailand amplification of relationships may be particularly marked, but may be associated with individual factors, including personal values and perceived control over the virus.

Methods:
A national on-street survey in Thailand (April 2020, N = 1,000), collected data from five regions across the country (response rate 82.6%). Participants reported demographics, anxiety, perceived control, and personal values of security and universalism, and indicated changes, from negative to positive, across four relationship types (relationship partners, family, friendships and neighbourhood).

Results:
While relationship changes were small overall, there was an improvement in close relations (partners, family members) but not amongst friends and neighbours. Respondents who were married without children recorded less enhancement of partnerships, friendships and neighbourhood relations. Those with less perceived control over the infection reported relationship decline, while single people reported fewer positive changes in their partnership or family relations. Multiple regression analyses demonstrated the prioritisation of security was associated with a decline in each of the relationships, while universalism was positively associated with change in the family, in friendships and neighbourly relations.

Conclusions:
Personal values and marital status may impact on relationship functioning during a national health crisis. These issues should be considered by clinicians and health practitioners when trying to assist those struggling with interpersonal relations during a pandemic.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology H Social Sciences > HM Sociology R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Psychology
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Interpersonal relations -- Thailand -- Psychological aspects, Families -- Thailand -- Psychological aspects, COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- -- Thailand -- Psychological aspects
Journal or Publication Title:	PLoS One
Publisher:	Public Library of Science
ISSN:	1932-6203
Official Date:	25 May 2022
Dates:	Date Event 25 May 2022 Published 15 February 2022 Accepted
Volume:	17
Number:	5
Article Number:	e0264614
DOI:	10.1371/journal.pone.0264614
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Open Access (Creative Commons)
Date of first compliant deposit:	1 June 2022
Date of first compliant Open Access:	1 June 2022
RIOXX Funder/Project Grant:	Project/Grant ID RIOXX Funder Name Funder ID 0701.IAA Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100011693 CU_GIF_62_01_38_01 Chulalongkorn University http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002873 UNSPECIFIED Psychology Center for Life-Span Development and Intergeneration, Chulalongkorn University UNSPECIFIED
Related URLs:	Related dataset

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