The role of family efficacy beliefs in shaping emotional experiences during daily family interactions: A day reconstruction method study

Abstract

This study investigates the role of family efficacy beliefs in shaping emotional experiences during daily family interactions, using the day reconstruction method (DRM). Addressing a gap in the literature on everyday family processes, this research adopts a dynamic and context-sensitive approach. A sample of 142 Taiwanese adults (67 males, 75 females; mean age = 49.79 years) documented their activities and subjective experiences from the previous day, yielding 664 records of family interactions. These interactions commonly involved shared meals, leisure and household tasks and were generally associated with positive emotions. Multilevel analysis revealed that family efficacy beliefs were significantly related to emotional experiences during these interactions. Filial and marital efficacy were associated with increased positive emotions and perceived competence, as well as decreased negative emotions, anxiety and tiredness. Parental efficacy was similarly linked to more positive emotions and competence, and less negative emotion, though it was not significantly related to anxiety or tiredness. These findings align with social cognitive theory and suggest that family efficacy beliefs function as psychological resources associated with emotional well-being, reduced role strain and the quality of day-to-day family experiences.