Economic crisis and inequalities in family lives: evidence from a large population survey in Italy

The present study is aimed to gain better insights into how families are affected by the crisis and which factors are likely to have the greatest impact in helping families to cope with these challenges. The data used for this study were derived from a recent large population-survey on family relations in Italy (3.527 individuals interviewed with CATI system). A cluster analysis by the economic condition was carried out and two groups of subjects were identified: those who, in the current crisis, are forced to fall into debt and those who manage to make savings. The two groups are clearly differentiated. Those who have a low level of education, unemployed, redundant and atypical workers, divorced people and people with children live in a situation of greater difficulty (make debts). The analysis of this group, comparatively, highlights how the economic difficulties not only affects the daily lives of people from a material point of view, but have consequences also on relational functioning: there are negative effects on couple satisfaction, parental alliance, parental self-efficacy, and perceived parental stress. Moreover, these negative effects are extended also to the perception of the social context, undermining the sense of trust, the cooperative attitude and social capital. So, whilst financial and social difficulties are affecting a growing number of households, what is the role of the family? Is the family the ultimate bulwark against the crisis as highlighted by many studies? Results will be discussed trying to answer to these questions.