Birth Parents Research Articles

Prenatal depression and child developmental vulnerability.

Prenatal depression is a potentially important fetal exposure as it may alter fetal development and have lasting effects. We examined all live births from 2001 to 2012 in British Columbia with follow-up data on the Early Development Instrument (EDI) in Kindergarten. The odds of developmental vulnerability on EDI domains among those with and without depression during pregnancy were estimated. A matched sibling analysis was run using conditional logistic regression within the same birth parent. We included 130,631 births among 108,340 pregnant people, with 6089 children (4.7%) exposed to prenatal depression. Children exposed to depression during pregnancy were significantly more likely to be considered vulnerable on physical health and well-being (OR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.10-1.29]), social competence (OR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.15-1.36]), emotional maturity (OR, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.08-1.28]), language and cognitive development (OR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.04-1.26]), and multiple domains (OR, 1.18 [95% CI, 1.09-1.27]). No significant associations were found in our matched sibling pair analysis, but effect sizes remained above 1 for physical health and social competences. More research is needed to determine whether fetal exposure to prenatal depression may predispose to childhood vulnerability on physical health and well-being, language and cognition, and socio-emotional domains. Prenatal depression is common (9-22% of pregnancies) and research has suggested a negative impact on the developing fetal brain but data on long term child development following prenatal depression is sparse. Using a unique population-based dataset with developmental data from children, we found increased risk for developmental vulnerability in physical health and well-being and socio-emotional development. Sibling matched analyses suggested the presence of some residual confounding and associations were no longer statistically significant but effects sizes did not substantially attenuate for physical health and social competence.

Integrating Infant Safe Sleep and Breastfeeding Education Into an App in a Novel Approach to Reaching High-Risk Populations: Prospective Observational Study.

Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is a leading cause of death for US infants, and nonrecommended sleep practices are reported in most of these deaths. SUID rates have not declined over the past 20 years despite significant educational efforts. Integration of prenatal safe sleep and breastfeeding education into a pregnancy app may be one approach to engaging pregnant individuals in education about infant care practices prior to childbirth. This study aims to assess whether pregnant individuals would engage with prenatal safe sleep and breastfeeding education provided within a pre-existing pregnancy app. Secondary objectives were to compare engagement among those at high and low risk of losing an infant to SUID and to assess the importance of end user push notifications for engagement. This prospective observational study was conducted from September 23, 2019 to March, 22 2022; push notifications were removed on October 26, 2021. TodaysBaby (University of Virginia, Boston University, and Washington University), a mobile health program in which safe sleep and breastfeeding video education was originally provided via texts, was embedded into the MyHealthyPregnancy app (Naima Health LLC). Pregnant mothers who received prenatal care within the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center hospital system were randomized to receive either safe sleep or breastfeeding education beginning at the start of the third trimester of pregnancy and ending 6 weeks post partum. Pregnant persons were designated as high risk if they lived in the 5% of zip codes in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania with the highest rates of SUID in the county. The primary outcome was engagement, defined as watching at least 1 video either in response to a push notification or directly from the app's learning center. A total of 7572 pregnant persons were enrolled in the TodaysBaby Program-3308 with push notifications and 4264 without. The TodaysBaby engagement rate was 18.8% with push notifications and 3.0% without. Engagement was highest in the initial weeks after enrollment, with a steady decline through pregnancy and very little postpartum engagement. There was no difference in engagement between pregnant persons who were low and high risk. The most viewed videos were ones addressing the use of pacifiers, concerns about infant choking, and the response of the body to the start of breastfeeding. Integrating safe sleep and breastfeeding education within a pregnancy app may allow for rapid dissemination of infant care information to pregnant individuals. Birthing parents at high risk of losing an infant to SUID-a leading cause of infant death after 1 month of age-appear to engage with the app at the same rates as birth parents who are at low risk. Our data demonstrate that push notifications increase engagement, overall and for those in high-risk zip codes where the SUID education is likely to have the most impact.

BIOMEDICAL RISK FACTORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PREECLAMPSIA OF VARYING SEVERITY IN PREGNANT WOMEN

The aim of this study was to identify biomedical risk factors for the development of preeclampsia of varying severity in the group of examined pregnant women. Material and methods. 70 women whose pregnancy was complicated by the development of preeclampsia were under observation. The first group included 46 (65.7%) patients with moderate preeclampsia; the second group included 24 (34.2%) women with severe preeclampsia. The diagnosis was established on the basis of the patient's complaints, clinical examination, somatic, obstetric and gynecological anamnesis, analysis of the course of the present pregnancy, ultrasound fetometry and Dopplerometry findings. The patients who participated in the study had an assessment of clinical and anamnestic parameters, somatic status, obstetric and gynecological anamnesis. Data from 45 pregnant women with an unencumbered obstetric and gynecological history and a physiologically occurring pregnancy were used as control values. Results. The prognostic risk factors for the development of moderate and severe preeclampsia were analyzed based on the calculation of relative risk indicators (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI). In the group of pregnant women with both severe and moderate preeclampsia, strong prognostic risk factors were: place of residence in the regions, extragenital pathology in the anamnesis, gynecological diseases in the anamnesis, the number of pregnancies in the anamnesis, birth parity, and arterial hypertension. The early identification of risk factors for moderate and severe preeclampsia enables timely preventive measures, thereby improving patient outcomes and prognosis. Conclusion. The analysis revealed that preeclampsia was more prevalent among pregnant women with a history of various extragenital diseases, a complicated obstetric and gynecological history, and concomitant hypertension.

‘I had my guard up for a long time and that probably didn’t help’: Exploring care leavers’ experiences of the barriers to accessing mental health support during adolescence using photo-elicitation and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Children in care are more likely to experience significant mental health difficulties and consequently poorer long-term outcomes. However, they are less likely to receive professional mental health support than children living with their birth parents. Exploration of the barriers to accessing support from the perspective of care-experienced young people is limited within the literature; the present study aimed to bridge this gap. Six care leavers aged 18–25 years old engaged in a photo-elicitation-based interview that explored their experiences of the barriers to accessing professional mental health support during adolescence. Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), and five group experiential themes and 10 subthemes were identified. The group themes were ‘A lost cause’, ‘Alone no matter what’, ‘Don’t talk about mental health problems’, ‘Misunderstood’ and ‘Nobody helped us’. The clinical implications are discussed, as well as recommendations for future research.

SHADOWS OF BIRTH ORDER: AFFECTIVE TEMPERAMENT, PERCEIVED PARENTAL ATTITUDES, AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS

Aim: In personality development temperamental traits, along with parental attitudes and birth order play a crucial role. These factors—temperamental traits, birth order, perceived parental attitudes—can influence substance use and its continuation. This study aims to explore the relationship between Adler's birth order theory, temperamental traits and perceived parental attitudes in the context of substance use disorders (SUDs). Material and method: The study included 37 SUD patients from XXX Hospital's Alcohol and Drug Treatment Center and 37 siblings without substance use. Participants temperamental traits and parental attitudes were assessed using the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, San Diego Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A) and the Short Form of the Perceived Parental Attitudes Scale-Child Form (s-EMBU). Independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Spearman correlation coefficient, and binary logistic regression analysis were used in data analysis. Results: Individuals with SUD had significantly higher depressive, cyclothymic, irritable, and anxious temperaments than their siblings (p < 0.05), and these traits were linked to perceived rejecting parental attitudes. Birth order analysis showed higher cyclothymic temperament in the first and last children. However, contrary to our hypotheses, no relationship was observed between birth order and perceived parental attitudes in any groups. According to regression analysis, individuals who were last-born had a 5.34 times higher likelihood of developing SUD compared to others. Conclusion: Assessing challenges based on birth order can aid in providing effective addiction treatment services. Our study found a link between perceived parental attitudes and temperamental traits, but not with birth order. This suggests temperamental traits may moderate the effect of birth order on perceived parental attitudes. Given the strong link between affective temperamental traits and rejecting parental attitudes, we recommend implementing behavioral parent training programs to reduce parental anger and hostility.

Investigating the Effectiveness of Technology-Based Distal Interventions for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Postpartum anxiety and depression are common in new parents. While effective interventions exist, they are often delivered in person, which can be a barrier for some parents seeking help. One approach to overcoming these barriers is the delivery of evidence-based self-help interventions via websites, smartphone apps, and other digital media. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of technology-based distal interventions in reducing or preventing symptoms of postpartum depression or anxiety in male and female birth and adoptive parents, explore the effectiveness of technology-based distal interventions in increasing social ties, and determine the level of adherence to and satisfaction with technology-based distal interventions. A systematic review and series of meta-analyses were conducted. Three electronic bibliographic databases (PsycINFO, PubMed, and Cochrane Library) were searched for randomized controlled trials evaluating technology-based distal interventions for postpartum depression or anxiety in birth and adoptive parents. Searches were updated on August 1, 2023, before conducting the final meta-analyses. Data on trial characteristics, effectiveness, adherence, satisfaction, and quality were extracted. Screening and data extraction were conducted by 2 reviewers. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute quality rating scale for randomized controlled trials. Studies were initially synthesized qualitatively. Where possible, studies were also quantitatively synthesized through 5 meta-analyses. Overall, 18 articles met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review, with 14 (78%) providing sufficient data for a meta-analysis. A small significant between-group effect on depression favored the intervention conditions at the postintervention (Cohen d=-0.28, 95% CI -0.41 to -0.15; P<.001) and follow-up (Cohen d=-0.27, 95% CI -0.52 to -0.02; P=.03) time points. A small significant effect on anxiety also favored the intervention conditions at the postintervention time point (Cohen d=-0.29, 95% CI -0.48 to -0.10; P=.002), with a medium effect at follow-up (Cohen d=-0.47, 95% CI -0.88 to -0.05; P=.03). The effect on social ties was not significant at the postintervention time point (Cohen d=0.04, 95% CI -0.12 to 0.21; P=.61). Effective interventions tended to be web-based cognitive behavioral therapy programs with reminders. Adherence varied considerably between studies, whereas satisfaction tended to be high for most studies. Technology-based distal interventions are effective in reducing symptoms of postpartum depression and anxiety in birth mothers. Key limitations of the reviewed evidence include heterogeneity in outcome measures, studies being underpowered to detect modest effects, and the exclusion of key populations from the evidence base. More research needs to be conducted with birth fathers and adoptive parents to better ascertain the effectiveness of interventions in these populations, as well as to further assess the effect of technology-based distal interventions on social ties. PROSPERO CRD42021290525; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=290525.

Effect of birth parity on life expectancy and healthy life expectancy among rural women

Objective: To analyze the effect of birth parity on life expectancy (LE) and healthy life expectancy (HLE) among rural women. Method: A total of 15 304 women aged 40 to 79 years who participated in baseline and follow-up surveys were selected from a rural cohort in Henan province. The LE and HLE of women with different birth parity were calculated by using multi-state life table. Results: There were 1 195 (7.8%), 7 782 (50.8%), 3 867 (25.3%) and 2 460 (16.1%) women with 1, 2, 3 and 4 birth parities, respectively, and the M (Q1 and Q3) of age were 50.3 (47.3, 53.4) and 53.3 (48.8, 60.7), 62.6 (55.4, 66.9) and 69.5 (64.7, 73.4) years old, respectively. LE at 40 years old was 44.5, 44.8, 45.1 and 45.4 years old, and HLE was 17.7, 18.3, 18.8 and 19.3 years old, respectively. LE at age 40 increased by 0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 years in women with 2, 3, and 4 birth parities or more and HLE increased by 0.5, 1.1, and 1.6 years, respectively, compared with women with 1 birth parity. For women with higher and lower socioeconomic status who had 4 birth parities or more, the LE at age 40 was 47.1 and 43.9 years, respectively, an increase of 0.2 and 0.1 years over women with 1 birth parity, respectively; and the HLE was 20.4 and 18.7 years, respectively, an increase of 1.4 and 1.3 years over women with 1 birth parity, respectively. Conclusion: LE and HLE show an upward trend with the increase of birth parity among rural women.

Parental Birth Order and the First Stage of Tracking Into Schools: Evidence From General Upper Secondary Educational Attainment in Finland

ABSTRACTNo previous study on the interrelation between parental birth order and offspring educational attainment has analysed the first stage of tracking into schools, which in many countries is highly selective of persons who aim for university studies. We do so and examine how parental birth order is associated with attainment of general upper secondary education in Finland. Three‐generational register data on the total population are used to assess how the probability of having the matriculation examination at age 20 is associated with parental birth order. The total number of individuals in the child generation is 377,038. We find that the probability of having the matriculation examination decreases with parental birth order. Within‐family analyses using cousin fixed effects models, which account for unobserved characteristics in the extended family, show that having later‐born parents, and in particular a later‐born father, is negatively associated with first tracking into schools. These patterns can solely be attributed to the fact that earlier‐born parents are highly educated and found in higher social classes than later‐born parents. The results largely corroborate findings from similar analyses of length of schooling in Sweden, although the contribution of parental education and social class is notably stronger in our study context.

Effects of parental socioeconomic status on offspring's fetal neurodevelopment.

Emerging evidence underscores the prenatal period's critical role in shaping later cognition and health, influenced by an intricate interplay of parental genetic and environmental factors. Birth weight is commonly used as a retrospective indicator of fetal development, but recent focus has shifted to more specific proxies of neurodevelopment, like cortical sulcal patterns, which are established in utero and remain stable after birth. This study aimed to elucidate the interrelated effects of parental socioeconomic status, brain volume, birth weight, and sulcal patterns in the anterior cingulate cortex. Utilizing structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), parental educational attainment, and related polygenic risk scores, the study analyzed 203 healthy right-handed participants aged 9 to 18. Structural equation modeling demonstrated that the anterior cingulate cortex sulcal pattern is influenced by parental socioeconomic status and global brain volume, with socioeconomic status correlating with a polygenic risk score. These findings suggest that prenatal neurodevelopmental processes may mediate the intergenerational transmission of inequalities.

Factors that influence the aspirations of village youth as determinants of agribusiness sustainability in Deli Serdang Regency

Abstract The big issue of agricultural sustainability lies in the regeneration (cast change) of farmers to young farmers. Meanwhile, the biggest obstacle to farmer regeneration is the weak aspirations, which of course poses a serious threat to the sustainability of food availability. The aim of this research is to analyze the aspirations of village youth towards agribusiness, analyze the factors that influence the aspirations of village youth towards agribusiness. Locations were selected using the Multi-Stage Purposive Sampling Method. Four sub-districts in Deli Serdang Regency were selected based on their location which borders the Medan City area in the north, east, south, and west, respectively, Hamparan Perak, Tanjung Morawa, Deli Tua and Sunggal. From each of the selected sub-districts, the four largest rice producing villages were identified, and a total of 130 village youth were selected as samples using Accidental Sampling Method. The analytical method used is the Multiple Linear Regression Analysis, with ordinal data intervalization using the Successive Interval Method. The research results show that generally village youth (51,6%) from childhood have aspiration to work in agribusiness; the variables that influence the aspirations of village youth as determinants of agribusiness sustainability are parental ambition, social expectations, birth order and personal interests.

Lability in parent-child warmth and hostility and adolescent externalizing behaviors.

Both longer term developmental changes (increases in hostility, decreases in warmth) and lability (year-to-year fluctuations) in parent-child relationship quality across childhood and adolescence have been linked to adolescent externalizing behaviors. Using a prospective longitudinal study of 561 children who were adopted into nonrelative families at birth (57% male, 56% White, 19% multiracial, 13% Black, 11% Hispanic) where parental warmth and hostility reflect environmental influences or child-evoked reactions, we examined associations between parent-child relationship measures and externalizing behaviors at age 11 and across adolescence (i.e., from age 11 to 13-15 years). Because studies considering gene-environment interplay especially in associations between lability and child externalizing behaviors are sparse and parent-child relationship measures support the intergenerational transmission of psychopathology, we also tested whether parent psychopathology of both adoptive parent (AP; environmental intergenerational transmission) and birth parents (genetic intergenerational transmission) moderated these associations in multivariate regression models. Findings generally supported more effects of fathers' than mothers' warmth and hostility. Although there were some linear associations of increased lability with externalizing behaviors, these did not persist in the context of a multivariate model. Associations between both parents' increasing hostility across childhood on age 11 externalizing behaviors and for fathers increasing hostility and decreasing warmth on increases in externalizing behaviors across adolescence more likely reflect a combination of bidirectional evocative and parenting environmental associations than purely parenting environmental transmission. Moderation by parent psychopathology was sparse, and sensitivity tests revealed no differences by child sex. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Paternal and Maternal Speech at 3 Months Postpartum: An Exploratory Study on the Effect of Parental Role and Birth Weight.

Recent research highlights a growing interest in early interactions between fathers and their infants, acknowledging the significant influence these interactions have on developmental outcomes. However, there is a limited understanding of the specific characteristics of paternal infant-directed speech (IDS), especially in the context of premature birth. This study aimed to analyze the functional and morpho-syntactic features of paternal IDS to full-term (FT) and preterm (PT) infants at 3 months, comparing it with maternal communicative style. Additionally, the study explored the influence of the severity of preterm birth according to birth weight, further distinguishing between extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) and very low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. Seventy-one father-infant and mother-infant dyads (24 FT, 22 ELBW, 25 VLBW) were recruited at 3 months (corrected age for PTs). Parent-infant interactions were video recorded to assess lexical, syntactic, and functional aspects of paternal and maternal speech. Results revealed lower verbosity and lexical variability in paternal IDS compared to the maternal one. No differences were found between parents of the PT and FT groups. Overall, these findings could contribute to better understanding the patterns of parent-infant communications in both FT and PT dyads, confirming the importance of involving both mothers and fathers from the early stages of development.

Using marketing strategies to promote maternal health: an international students’ collaboration

Abstract Purpose About 1 in 8 birth parents experience symptoms of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs). The purpose of this collaborative project was to create a social media deliverable to lower the risk of postpartum depression in pregnant and postpartum parents in Georgia, USA. Methods Using the SM 10-step model, Master of Public Health Students from Georgia Southern University (GSU), Georgia in collaboration with Creative Business students from Breda University of Applied Science (BUas), the Netherlands, designed an evidence-based SM product. They were mentored by public health and media faculty from both institutions. Roles and responsibilities according to the skill sets were divided, but briefly: students 1) identified a target audience; 2) conducted tertiary data collection; 3) set goals and objectives; 4) developed 4 P’s (product, price, place, and promotion) 5) developed marketing strategies.; 6) and used the strategy to create a specific social media deliverable. Results Utilizing the 10-step model social marketing strategy used state-of-the-art marketing and digital media techniques and evidence-based strategies to create a digital electronic booklet that focused on reducing the stigma associated with help seeking behaviors with the ultimate goal to reduce the incidence and prevalence of PMADs. The digital interactive booklet will be pilot tested in selected OBGYN offices and health departments in Southeast Georgia in July 2024. Conclusions This collaborative project demonstrates effective collaboration between disciplines from different world regions utilizing strengths from both teams: public health and digital media skills to create an SM product that will be utilized to promote social engagement among postpartum parents. Key messages • Students utilized social marketing strategies to create an electronic booklet to address postpartum depression using state-of-the-art digital media techniques and evidence-based strategies. • This collaborative project demonstrates effective collaboration between disciplines from different world regions and utilizes strengths from both teams.

Effective components of services for recurrent care experienced parents: A literature review of what works

Recurrent care services aim to reduce the number of repeat removals amongst birth parents who have already ‘lost’ a child through care proceedings. This literature review aimed to identify published evidence about effective components of services to support parents who have experienced repeat removals of their children to care.Searches identified 19 studies that included content relating to the components of service provision within recurrent care services. Across all studies, a range of perspectives were included: birth parents (n = 425); practitioners (n ≥ 151); other professionals (n = 109).The evidence reviewed indicates the importance of relationship-based practice, building a trusted relationship between parents and practitioners, continuity and tenacity in engaging with mothers and a non-judgemental approach. Services should be flexible, holistic and client led, with a long duration of support and a flexible end date. Services should: have a trauma-informed approach; recognise unresolved loss, complex grief and trauma experienced by mothers who have ‘lost’ their children through care proceedings; and provide emotional support, therapeutic support, practical support and advocacy. Services need to have a skilled and multi-disciplinary workforce with robust supervision and ongoing training.

Public Rights Orientations and Views on Long‐Term Care Options for Children in the Child Protection System: An Analysis of Representative Samples of Adults in California, USA and Norway

ABSTRACTThis study examines a representative sample of adults in California (USA) and Norway, and their attitudes toward adoption versus foster care in a child protection case. The results show that a majority of people favour adoption for a child who has been removed due to maltreatment and cannot be reunified with birth parents. The study examines if people's rights orientation, favouring children or adults, or favouring birth parents or adoptive parents, or their institutional context explain their preferences about long‐term care options. Data material consist of representative samples of the population in California (USA) and Norway (n = 2222), using a vignette survey design. Findings suggest that individuals with a child rights position favour adoption, but attitudes about birth parents' and adoptive parents' rights are not related to care option choices. Institutional context, anchored in policy feedback literature, partly explains the preference for adoption and the population's rights orientation. Further studies are necessary to confirm the role of rights attitudes and institutional context.

Exploring associations between psychotic experiences and structural brain age: a population-based study in late adolescence.

Neuroimaging studies show advanced structural "brain age" in schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, potentially reflecting aberrant brain ageing or maturation. The extent to which altered brain age is associated with subthreshold psychotic experiences (PE) in youth remains unclear. We investigated the association between PE and brain-predicted age difference (brain-PAD) in late adolescence using a population-based sample of 117 participants with PE and 115 without PE (aged 19-21 years) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Brain-PAD was estimated using a publicly available machine learning model previously trained on a combination of region-wise T1-weighted grey-matter measures. We found little evidence for an association between PEs and brain-PAD after adjusting for age and sex (Cohen's d = -0.21 [95% CI -0.47, 0.05], p = 0.11). While there was some evidence for lower brain-PAD in those with PEs relative to those without PEs after additionally adjusting for parental social class (Cohen's d = -0.31 [95% CI -0.58, -0.03], p = 0.031) or birth weight (Cohen's d = -0.29 [95% CI -0.55, -0.03], p = 0.038), adjusting for maternal education or childhood IQ did not alter the primary results. These findings do not support the notion of advanced brain age in older adolescents with PEs. However, they weakly suggest there might be a younger-looking brain in those individuals, indicative of subtle delays in structural brain maturation. Future studies with larger samples covering a wider age range and multimodal measures could further investigate brain age as a marker of psychotic experiences in youth.

Intergenerational transmission of comorbid internalizing and externalizing psychopathology at age 11: Evidence from an adoption design for general transmission of comorbidity rather than homotypic transmission.

Psychopathology is intergenerationally transmitted through both genetic and environmental mechanisms via heterotypic (cross-domain), homotypic (domain-specific), and general (e.g., "p-factor") pathways. The current study leveraged an adopted-at-birth design, the Early Growth and Development Study (57% male; 55.6% White, 19.3% Multiracial, 13% Black/African American, 10.9% Hispanic/Latine) to explore the relative influence of these pathways via associations between adoptive caregiver psychopathology (indexing potential environmental transmission) and birth parent psychopathology (indexing genetic transmission) with adolescent internalizing and externalizing symptoms. We included composite measures of adoptive and birth parent internalizing, externalizing, and substance use domains, and a general "p-factor." Age 11 adolescent internalizing and externalizing symptom scores were the average of adoptive parent reports on the Child Behavior Checklist (n = 407). Examining domains independently without addressing comorbidity can lead to incorrect interpretations of transmission mode. Therefore, we also examined symptom severity (like the "p-factor") and an orthogonal symptom directionality score to more cleanly disentangle transmission modes. The pattern of correlations was consistent with mostly general transmission in families with youth showing comorbid internalizing and externalizing symptoms, rather than homotypic transmission. Findings more strongly supported potential environmental or evocative mechanisms of intergenerational transmission than genetic transmission mechanisms (though see limitations). Parent-specific effects are discussed.

Childbearing under different family policy schemes

Objective: This study assesses whether and how changes in family policies are associated with first and second births in Finland, Germany and the United Kingdom, and whether these associations differ by women’s education. Background: Family policies are expected to impact the direct and indirect costs of childbearing by providing resources that influence the monetary and non-monetary costs of having children. The countries analysed here have undergone substantial changes in family policy throughout the two decades analysed, but each country has changed different aspects of their policies, and they have done so in different policy environments. Method: We analysed women aged 18–44 and their transitions to first and second births using register data from Finland (N = 57,518 / 21,685) and panel data from Germany (G-SOEP, N=37,716 / 16,756) and the UK (BHPS and Understanding Society, N = 13,213 / 9,992) complemented with annual family policy information. The data were analysed using logistic regression models and interactions, and the results are presented as average marginal effects. Results: The results suggest that the association between changes in family policies and transitions to first and second child birth varied by birth parity, women’s education level, and between countries. For example in Finland, increases in paternity leave length were associated with greater propensities to transition to first birth for highly educated women, whereas increases in child allowances had a similar association for lower educated women. In Germany, reductions in maternity leave length were associated with increased transitions to first birth for higher educated women. In the UK, increases in maternity leave length were associated with greater transitions to first births among all women. Conclusion: The results highlight that to the extent that family policies influence fertility, they do so depending on both the country context and often differentially within countries based on women’s education level and birth parity.

“My heart is in the right place, but I don’t feel the court’s heart is beating”: perspectives on feeling valued from multiple nonprofessional stakeholders in child welfare court

ABSTRACT Though the experiences of individual non-professional stakeholders involved with dependency courts overseeing child protective services cases have been documented, this article provides a unique comparison across four non-professional stakeholder groups. Through analysis of focus groups and individual interviews, we compare the perspectives of birth parents (n=6), kinship caregivers (n=14), young adults removed from their homes as children (n=15), and foster parents (n=57) involved with the dependency courts in Maryland. Despite their different roles, the experiences of all groups are characterized by common themes including time, consistency, role, voice, and what is best under the broader context of feeling valued.

Play is a privilege in both humans and animals: how our recreation influences wildlife

AbstractNature‐based tourism nets roughly 8 billion annual travelers globally to all regions of Earth, with many visiting around 200,000 formally protected areas. Financially well‐off tourists pay for playful activities and effects on wildlife are potentially large and relatively uncertain. Our commentary makes 3 points. First, variation in resource privileges and associated benefits characterizes not only humans but other species. Among animals, well‐nurtured populations engage in more playful and leisurely activities than do those nutritionally impoverished. Privilege depends partially on birth sites, parents, and local conditions, but for humans recreation expands with monetary advantage. Second, nature‐based tourism has 2 generalizable effects on wildlife, each involving degree of habituation. Among non‐habituated populations, local site abandonment is frequent and modulated by seasonality, individuals' physiological states, and whether recreation is motorized or not. For habituated populations, tolerance emerges to increasing recreational exposure with some populations of species learning to rely on humans to shield as a buffer against possible predation. Third, desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) offer a robust example of the issues surrounding the effects of tourism on wildlife because of the geographically complicated relationship between recreational pursuit and wildlife on public lands of the western United States. While protected for decades, females have failed to habituate to different forms of recreation at certain sites. The result has been flight or site abandonment. Biodiversity protection at numerous scales has made strong gains but is still needed where progress is stymied by income disparities, privilege, and increasing recreation ventures.