The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted many different aspects of family life, including the tradition of family dinner. A recent study conducted by Anne Fishel, PhD and Melinda Morrill, PhD from the Family Dinner Project provides valuable insights into how families changed their dining habits during this unprecedented time.
How the Pandemic Affected Family Dinners
In this study, a comprehensive online survey was administered in May 2021 to a diverse sample of 517 American parents living with children between the ages of 5 and 18. Participants were recruited through a national market research firm to ensure a representative sample across various demographic factors including age, gender, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.
While previous studies focused primarily on the frequency of dinners as the key predictor of benefits, this study highlights the importance of examining both frequency and quality to gain a more complete understanding of the benefits of the family meal. In addition to documenting the frequency of family dinners before and during the pandemic, participants answered questions about changes in mealtime practices, family support, and positive and negative family interactions.
The study revealed that the frequency of family dinners increased during the pandemic, with over 60% of the families reporting more frequent shared meals. Although parents did not sign up to have more family meals, this survey demonstrates that the increased frequency of family dinners during the pandemic was associated with significant increases in positive behaviors: expressing gratitude, laughing, and feeling connected. These benefits were observed across income levels, education, age, gender and race.
Increased frequency of family dinners also came with new mealtime practices, for example using technology to share meals with extended family remotely and more discussions of current events at the table. Many families turned to videoconferencing to connect with extended family and plan to continue this practice after the pandemic.
Supporting Family Dinners Beyond the Pandemic
This study builds upon 25 years of scientific research that has consistently highlighted the numerous benefits of regular family dinners, including improved academic performance, higher self-esteem, and lower risk of substance abuse among children.
The current study underscores the psychological benefits of family dinners, which became particularly crucial during the pandemic. Regular family meals provided a consistent source of support during uncertain times and fostered positive interactions within the family, including laughing, gratitude, and feeling connected. Family dinners offered a sense of normalcy and structure when other routines were disrupted.
For family therapy practices, the study’s findings have important implications. Therapists may consider placing greater emphasis on the role of family dinners in promoting family cohesion and individual well-being. Addressing the challenges a family faces in prioritizing regular family dinners in the context of the complex culture of the family is an essential element of the discussion. The study’s insights on the use of technology can inform strategies for maintaining and extending family connections in various circumstances.
The Family Dinner Project website offers a collection of resources to support families in fostering meaningful mealtime experiences. The site provides timely and seasonal content, such as ideas for Thanksgiving and upcoming holiday celebrations and resetting goals for the New Year. It also offers practical assistance through programs like “Budget Friendly,” which helps families plan a week’s worth of dinners. The “Dinner Tonight” feature provides daily suggestions for food, fun, and conversation starters. Healthcare providers can learn about initiatives like the “Dinner in a Box” program, which is implemented in collaboration with MGH Revere and the Greater Boston Food Bank.
Read More
Fishel AK, Morrill MI. How COVID-19 expanded the family dinner table: Greater frequency linked with improved quality and new ways of eating together. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, Oct 31, 2024.
In The News
How COVID-19 transformed family dinners (American Psychological Association)
Make every family dinner count with these expert-backed tips for deeper connection (Newsbreak)
Covid lockdowns helped families chat over dinner again, new study suggests (MSN)
Anne Fishel, PhD is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Family Dinner Project (TFDP) , a family therapist, clinical psychologist, and Associate Professor of Psychology at the Harvard Medical School. She is also Director of the Family and Couples Therapy Program at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she trains child and adult psychiatry residents and psychology interns in family therapy. She is also a co-author of Eat, Laugh, Talk: The Family Dinner Playbook (Familius, 2019), written with other members of TFDP team.
Melinda Morrill, PhD, MSW, is a researcher at The Family Dinner Project. She holds a research appointment at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), where she completed her postdoctoral research fellowship and an NRSA T32 at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Morrill’s research focuses on risk and protective factors for vulnerable families, with the goal of preventing psychological, social, and physical distress across multiple generations.
