United in stress, divided in response: grandparent–grandchild differences in COVID-19 protective attitudes and intergenerational conflict: findings from a Swiss survey

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected individual and family dynamics worldwide, with potential generational differences in experiences and attitudes. Understanding how these perspectives relate to intergenerational relationships and conflicts is essential for assessing long-term social impacts. This study examines retrospective evaluations of pandemic experiences and attitudes toward protective measures across family generations in Switzerland as well as post-pandemic developments in intergenerational relationships and conflicts. Data were collected between January and March 2025 from 1,205 respondents (M = 52.4 years, SD = 18.0; 55.7% female), each reporting on a randomly selected family member from another generation. Respondents were categorized as grandchildren (n = 274), children (n = 509), parents (n = 186), or grandparents (n = 236). Descriptive analyses revealed no significant generational differences in perceived pandemic stress. However, older generations—mostly grandparents—expressed stronger support for protective measures than younger generations—mostly grandchildren; this pattern remained significant in the multivariate analyses. Most respondents reported stable, positive intergenerational relationships. Notably, grandchildren reported improved relationships with grandparents more often than children did with their parents. Regression analyses further indicated that compared to grandchildren, grandparents were more likely to report that intergenerational conflicts had been less frequent during the pandemic than at the time of the survey. Overall, while stress perceptions were similar across generations, older generations—particularly grandparents—showed greater support for protective measures and reported fewer conflicts. Future research should examine how generational differences in risk perception shape long-term family cohesion beyond crisis contexts.