How Do Low-Income Families Cope with Economic Pressure in Türkiye? A Multisystems Family Resilience Model

Abstract Little is known about how families become resilient, i.e., how they overcome economic challenges and maintain their well-being by utilizing protective mechanisms in their ecological system. This study examined the individual, family, and community protective mechanisms on family well-being (FWB) of socioeconomically disadvantaged Turkish married individuals experiencing economic pressure (EP). The study included 1061 married individuals residing on the West coast of Türkiye. The results of the parallel-serial mediation model revealed a significant and negative direct relationship between EP and FWB, which was significantly and negatively mediated by the serial indirect roles of (i) individual mechanisms and family mechanisms, and (ii) community mechanisms and family mechanisms. The findings highlighted the importance of a multisystemic approach to resilience in low-income families in accordance with Family Stress and Family Resilience models. With its co-produced design and multisystemic approach, this study contributes to global knowledge on family resilience for future research, policy, and practice.