Dual Parent Research Articles

Comparative Profiles of Problem Behaviors in Children from Single Versus Dual Parent Families

This study uses a cross comparative two group random survey design on a sample of 300 children in age group of 6-18 years hailing from an equal number of single and dual parent family homes to exam...

Qigong Massage for Motor Skills in Young Children With Cerebral Palsy and Down Syndrome

In this article, we present a small randomized controlled study evaluating the effect of a dual parent- and trainer-delivered qigong massage methodology on motor skills and sensory responses in 28 children under age 4 with developmental delay and motor tone abnormalities. Fourteen children had high motor tone as a result of cerebral palsy (CP), and 14 children had low motor tone as a result of Down syndrome. Multivariate analysis and post hoc analysis of variance showed large effect-size improvements in Peabody Gross Motor Scale (PGMS) Object Manipulation scores (p < .01) and large effect-size improvements in overall PGMS scores (p < .04) in treatment versus control groups after 5 mo intervention. Follow-up evaluation 10 mo from the start indicated continued improvement. Sensory responses showed no treatment effect. The results suggest further investigation of qigong massage as a promising avenue for research to improve motor skills in young children with CP and Down syndrome.

Perceived impact of two-way dual immersion programs on Latino students' relationships in their families and communities

This study examined how participation of Latino students in two-way dual immersion versus mainstream programs might have impacted students' relationships with Spanish-speaking adults, thus affecting contexts for students to develop resiliency. Participants were parents of 90 fifth- and sixth-grade students (initially English proficient [EP] as well as initially English language learners) in dual immersion, and parents of 103 students of similar language backgrounds in mainstream programs, located in three schools. Also, the students themselves completed questionnaires. Findings showed that a greater number of parents in dual immersion programs perceived that their children grew closer to Spanish-speaking family and communicated more with Spanish-speaking community members, with marked enthusiasm noted especially in open-ended responses by parents of EP students. Statistical analysis showed significantly higher means of responses for dual immersion parents compared with parents of mainstream students on questions related to these issues, which was the case for students' responses as well.

Gezin en arbeid in je eentje

Family and work on your own. The combination strategies of single mothers and fathers Family and work on your own. The combination strategies of single mothers and fathers Due to demographic changes, the situation of single parents has received a lot of attention in public debate and new policies. Nevertheless, little scientific information is available on the daily life and social conditions of single parents. In a dual parents household, previous research found two types of strategies to find a work-life balance. First, one can choose to intervene in the work role: the parent can reduce, adjust or end his/her working schedule. Second, one can adjust their family role by outsourcing a part of his/her family role. However, the question remains which strategies single parents use to find a work-family balance. Using 28 biographical interviews, this qualitative research focused on the daily life of single parents in Flanders and their search for a work-life balance. The results suggest four types of single parents, based on criteria such as job satisfaction, feelings of guilt, educational problems, and socio-economical characteristics. This article will discuss for each of these four groups the strategies they use to (re-)find balance in their work-life conflict.

Parental status and childhood obesity in Australia

The overall aim of this study was to examine obesogenic factors in children from single and dual parent families. Data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) (8,717 children) were analyzed to examine the differences in children's activity levels, dietary intake and BMI according to parental status and determine the likelihood of childhood overweight and obesity in a single-parent household. There were higher rates of overweight and obesity in girls aged four to nine whose parents were single (OR 1:60). Children in single-parent households watched more television, ate more food high in fat and sugar and less fresh fruit and vegetables than children from dual-parent households. The findings suggested that an additive effect of dietary and activity variables may contribute to the higher rates of overweight and obesity in Australian children, and that girls from single-parent households may be particularly at risk.

Early Intervention for Autism With a Parent-Delivered Qigong Massage Program: A Randomized Controlled Trial

A recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a dual parent and trainer-delivered qigong massage intervention for young children with autism resulted in improvement of measures of autism as well as improvement of abnormal sensory responses and self-regulation. The RCT evaluated the effects of the parent-delivered component of the intervention. Forty-seven children were randomly assigned to treatment and wait-list control groups. Treatment group children received the parent-delivered program for 4 mo. Trained therapists provided parent training and support. Improvement was evaluated in two settings--preschool and home--by teachers (blind to group) and parents. Results showed that the parent-delivered program was effective in improving measures of autism (medium effect size) and sensory and self-regulatory responses (large effect size). Teacher data on measures of autism were confirmed by parent data. Results indicate that the parent-delivered component of the program provided effective early intervention for autism that was suitable for delivery at home.

Demographic Factors Affect Scoliosis Research Society-22 Performance in Healthy Adolescents

Prospective analysis. The purpose of this study was to: (1) evaluate the influence of variable demographic factors on the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)-22 performance and (2) evaluate SRS-22 performance in normal adolescents without scoliosis to establish a comparative baseline for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The SRS-22 instrument has been used widely to evaluate patients with scoliosis but no study has characterized how variable patient demographics in normal, unaffected individuals may influence SRS-22 scores. Healthy adolescents at a high school clinic and at referring pediatricians' private offices were asked to anonymously complete the SRS-22 instrument: 22 questions scaled 1-5 (highest). Additional questions assessed household income, race (white, Hispanic, African-American, other), gender, household status (single vs. dual parent), and body mass index. ANOVA and multivariate regression analyses were used to identify statistically significant factors (P < 0.05). Four hundred fifty unaffected adolescents completed the SRS-22 (62% female, 38% male; mean age 16 (range, 9.3-21.8), mean body mass index 22.8 (range, 13.5-47.5). Mean SRS-22 performance was 4.1 ± 0.5 (Activity: 4.0 ± 0.6; Pain: 4.3 ± 0.6; Image: 4.2 ± 0.6; Mental: 3.8 ± 0.8, Mean: 4.1 ± 0.5). Whites scored higher in the activity domain than Hispanic and other ethnicities, while African Americans scored higher in the pain domain than Hispanics (P < 0.05 for both). From the lowest income range to 125,000 dollars/yr, household income had a positive effect on the activity, image and mean SRS-22 score (P < 0.05 for all). Males scored higher than females in the mental health domain and mean SRS-22 (P < 0.0001). Dual parent versus single parent households had higher activity and mean SRS-22 scores (P < 0.005). We report that male gender, dual parent household, white race and increased household income were predictive of higher SRS-22 scores in healthy adolescents without scoliosis. The impact of these factors represents a meaningful clinical difference in SRS-22 performance.

Enrollment and Attendance in a Parent Training Prevention Program for Conduct Problems

Low levels of enrollment and attendance in parent training programs present major problems for researchers and clinicians. The literature on enrollment and attendance in prevention programs is especially limited, and these constructs may be particularly difficult to address in this context. Further, most previous research has not made the distinction between enrollment and attendance. This study describes predictors of enrollment and attendance in a behavioral parent training program intended to prevent conduct problems in preschoolers. Information was gathered from 106 preschoolers, their parents, and their teachers. Parent socioeconomic status (SES), single parent status, ethnicity, child externalizing behavior, parent depressive symptoms, and parent social support were investigated as possible predictors of families' enrollment and attendance. Only 48% of the families that had already provided informed consent and completed demographic questionnaires actually enrolled in the parent training program; parents with lower incomes and lower levels of social support were less likely to enroll. In addition, African-American and Puerto Rican families were less likely to enroll than Caucasian families. The average attendance rate for enrolled parents was 61%; dual parents and parents with children evidencing externalizing behavior problems attended more parent training sessions. Parent depression was not associated with enrollment or attendance. Significant relationships were maintained when controlling for other predictors including SES and when accounting for center-level variance. In addition, three distinct patterns of attendance were observed, which may have practical implications related to retention strategies.

The influence of parental smoking and family type on saliva cotinine in UK ethnic minority children: a cross sectional study

BackgroundIn the United Kingdom, there has been an increase in cigarette smoking in ethnic minority adults since the 1970s; in some groups levels are now similar to that of White British people. We aimed to examine the determinants of exposure to secondhand smoke in ethnic minority children. We hypothesised that exposure to secondhand smoke in children will vary across ethnic groups, but that the correlates of exposure would be similar to that of Whites.MethodsThe Determinants of Adolescent Social well-being and Health sample comprises 3468 White United Kingdom and ethnic minority (Black Caribbean, Black African, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi) pupils aged 11-13 yrs. Outcome was saliva cotinine concentration. Explanatory variables collected by self-complete questionnaire included ethnicity, child reported household smoking and socio-economic circumstances. Data were analysed using linear regression models with a random intercept function.ResultsEthnic minority children had lower saliva cotinine than Whites, partly explained by less smoking among parents. White and Black Caribbean children had higher cotinine levels if they lived in a household with a maternal smoker only, than with a paternal smoker only. Living in a lone compared to a dual parent household was associated with increased cotinine concentration of 45% (95%CI 5, 99%) in Whites, 27% (95%CI 5,53%) in Black Caribbeans and 21% (95%CI 1, 45%) in Black Africans after adjusting for household smoking status. Material disadvantage was a significant correlate only for White children (40% (95%CI 1, 94%) increase in cotinine in least compared to most advantaged group).ConclusionsEthnic minority children were less exposed to secondhand smoke than Whites, but the variations within groups were similarly patterned. These findings suggest that it is important not to be complacent about low smoking prevalence in some minority groups.

Family circumstance, sedentary behaviour and physical activity in adolescents living in England: Project STIL.

BackgroundIdentification of non-modifiable correlates of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in youth contributes to the development of effective targeted intervention strategies. The purpose of this research was to examine the relationships between family circumstances (e.g. socio-economic status, single vs. dual parent household, presence/absence of siblings) and leisure-time physical activity and sedentary behaviours in adolescents.MethodsA total of 1171 adolescents (40% male; mean age 14.8 years) completed ecological momentary assessment diaries every 15 minutes for 3 weekdays outside of school hours and 1 weekend day. Analysed behaviours were sports/exercise, active travel, TV viewing, computer use, sedentary socialising (hanging-out, using the telephone, sitting and talking) and total sedentary behaviour. Linear regression was employed to estimate levels of association between individual family circumstance variables and each behaviour.ResultsCompared to girls from higher socioeconomic status (SES) groups, girls from low SES groups reported higher weekend TV viewing and higher weekday total sedentary behaviour. For boys, single parent status was associated with greater total sedentary behaviour compared to those from dual parent households. Boys and girls from low socio-economic neighbourhoods reported lower participation in sports/exercise compared to those living in higher socio-economic neighbourhoods.ConclusionAssociations were not consistent across behaviours or between genders. Overall, findings indicate that boys from single parent households and girls from low socio-economic families may be at increased risk of high sedentary behaviour. Those living in low socioeconomic neighbourhoods may be at increased risk of reduced participation in sports and exercise.

Protection of long-reach PON traffic through router database synchronization

Feature Issue on Passive Optical Network Architectures and TechnologiesA resilience strategy is introduced for networks implementing dual homing (dual parenting) of customers, specifically those employing long-reach PONs (LR-PONs). Assuming that some mechanism exists to detect network element failures, the discussion concentrates on protocols that propagate information about customer reachability and how this information reroutes traffic in the event of a fault. Each router holds a database indicating which other routers, and which LR-PONs, are available within the network, and these are synchronized between routers using IP. This information is used to reroute traffic in the event of failure. Simulation and analysis show that signaling time lies well within 50ms, leaving sufficient time for redirection of user traffic.

Homeless Families in Canada: Discovering Total Families

Research on homeless families has focused primarily on residents of emergency and transitional housing programs, most of which serve victims of domestic violence and/or substance abuse, primarily women, excluding male partners and adolescent children. Resulting family profiles are skewed towards unaccompanied women with dependent children. Evaluation of a temporary emergency shelter for homeless families revealed a markedly different profile. Families housed were older, more often married and living together, and had more older children than reported elsewhere. Many were income-earning households left homeless by low income, a high rental market and under-funded migration moves in their search for employment. Housing and income policies need to include the unique needs of dual parent households with dependent children.

When Twenty-Four Hours is not Enough: Time Poverty of Working Parents

Individuals can be money poor, time poor or both. While income is the most used indicator of poverty, broader indexes including non-monetary aspects of deprivation have been proposed and measured. As one such measure, our study focuses on the element of deprivation arising from the time deficit of many working people. The usual poverty threshold is calculated as the amount of income to buy the minimum required goods and services from the market. This minimum required purchase is greater for these people since they have less time than the average person to produce some goods and services for themselves at home. So, they need money to buy these in the market in order to maintain the same consumption. The income standard must be supplemented to adequately measure actual poverty. Time use data make it possible to establish time requirements and time availability and provide a measure of time poverty. Using Canadian GSS 1998 data, and building on the work of Vickery (1977, ‚The time poor: A new look at poverty’, The Journal of Human Resources 12(1), pp. 27-48) and of Douthitt (1993, ‚The inclusion of time availability in Canadian poverty measures’, Time-Use Methodology: Toward Consensus (ISTAT, Roma), pp. 83–91), and our own previous study, we estimate time-adjusted poverty thresholds and rates for single and dual parent Canadian families. As expected, we have found high incidence of time deficit among the employed single parents with children. We make a case for the acceptance of a redefined poverty standard for such time-deprived groups.

Parental marital status significantly influence risk for childhood obesity

The effect of parental marital status on childhood obesity was investigated. The study data used was from NHANES III Series I A files collected during 1988–1994. Children (N=1000) between the ages of 6–11 years were studied. Children's data were matched up with parents’ using family sequence numbers. Dietary recall along with age, gender ethnicity/race, height and weight (for BMI calculations) and blood parameters were used to establish relationships between child obesity and parental marital status using SPSS. Results indicated that children from dual parent house holds (DPHH) (N=780) had significantly (P<0.01) lower BMI (19.2±5.4) than single parent house holds (SPHH) (N=219) (21.5±6.5). Greater (P<0.01) percentage of girls (44.2%) and boys (37.4%) from SPHH than DPHH (29.5; 31.7%) had BMI greater than 94%ile. Black children from SPHH had higher (P<0.04) BMI (20.4±2.2) than white (19.2±2.2) and others (18.9±3). Total calorie intake was marginally significant (P<0.06) between SPHH (1910±24) and DPHH (1860±25). Total and saturated fat intakes (g/day) were higher (P<0.05) in SPHH (9.1±6.2; 3.3±1.0) than DPHH (8.6±5.2; 3.2±1.1). LDL (mg/dL) levels were higher (P<0.05) for SPHH (91±1.5) than DPHH (88±1.5). Socio-demographic status of children seems to play an important role in developing obesity at an early age. Behaviors associated with SPHH specifically relating to diet and exercise need further study.

The relationship between socio-economic status and physical activity patterns in South African children.

To examine: (1) the associations between socio-economic status, physical activity, anthropometric and body composition variables in South African children; (2) the influence maternal characteristics have on children's physical activity levels; and (3) associations between television watching, activity level and body composition. In 381 South African children, physical activity and socio-economic status were assessed via structured retrospective interview using validated questionnaires. An asset indicator score was calculated as a proxy measure of socio-economic status and used to divide children into quartiles. Children falling into the highest socio-economic status quartile had mothers with the highest educational levels, generally came from dual parent homes, were highly physically active, watched less television, weighed more and had greater lean tissue than children in lower quartiles. A greater percentage of children living in dual parent homes and with mothers of a higher educational status were highly active compared with children living in single parent homes and with mothers of a lower educational status. We found greater levels of lean mass with increased activity level after controlling for television watching time and fat mass. There were high levels of low activity and high television watching time among lower socio-economic status groups. There were significant racial differences in patterns of activity. White children were found to be more active than black children, more likely to participate in physical education classes at school and watched less television than black children. Physical activity levels and socio-economic variables are closely related in this population of South African children.

Changes in living arrangements during the late 1990s: Do welfare policies matter?

AbstractUsing data from the 1997 and 1999 National Surveys of America's Families, the authors examine the consequences of state welfare policies and practices on the living arrangements of low‐income families with children. Results from a multivariate difference‐in‐difference‐in‐differences model suggest that more effective collection of child support and family cap policies are correlated with declines in single parenting and increases in dual parenting. Other policies such as sanctions and special restrictions that apply to two‐parent families have no clear, consistent association with living arrangements. © 2004 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.

Who is Mommy Tonight

Developing an identity as mother and establishing what it means to mother is a task not defined by sexual orientation. Both heterosexual and homosexual women encounter role models and the dictates of society when mothering (Nelson, 1996). The present study explores how 18 lesbian adoptive parents, 49 lesbian parents who formed their families biologically, and 44 heterosexual adoptive parents experience and perceive their parenting role, how they respond when their children seek them or their partner for particular nurturing, and how the parents negotiate the cultural expectation of a primary caregiver. Lesbian couples were more equal in their division of childcare than heterosexual parents, and lesbian adoptive parents were the most egalitarian. In all types of dual parent families, parents were sought by their child for different activities. In heterosexual adoptive and lesbian biological families, the child's parental preference was rarely a source of conflict between partners. Lesbian adoptive parents were more likely to report that this preference caused occasional conflict. Reasons for this conflict are discussed in light of societal expectations of women and the role of mother.

Examining Outcome Variability: Correlates of Treatment Response in a Child and Adolescent Anxiety Clinic

Examined correlates of treatment response in a clinic providing cognitive-behavioral therapy for children with anxiety disorders. Youth (ages 7 to 15) with a primary Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd ed., rev., or 4th ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1987, 1994) anxiety-disorder diagnosis (overanxious disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, separation anxiety disorder, social phobia, or avoidant disorder) participated. After completing a full course of treatment and posttreatment (n = 135) and 1-year follow-up (n = 107) assessments, participants were classified into 1 of 2 groups-poor treatment response and good treatment response-using parent diagnostic reports. Discriminant function analyses indicated that higher levels of maternal- and teacher-reported child-internalizing psychopathology at pretreatment, higher levels of maternal self-reported depressive symptoms, and older-child age were all associated with less favorable treatment response. Other factors, such as child ethnicity, child sex, family income, family composition (i.e., dual parent vs. single parent), child-reported symptomatology, and maternal-reported level of child-externalizing behavior problems did not predict treatment response. Both practical and conceptual implications of the findings are discussed.

A Dual Parent Perspective on Control and Performance in International Joint Ventures: Lessons From a Developing Economy

This study compares the control-performance relationship for foreign versus local parents in international joint ventures in China. Transaction cost analysis is found more applicable to foreign than to Chinese parents. Both overall and specific controls are associated with performance for foreign parents, while only specific control is for Chinese parents. Under goal incongruity, Chinese parent control is associated with foreign parent dissatisfaction with venture performance, but not vice-versa. Having a majority stake improves performance from a foreign parent perspective, but not from that of the Chinese parent.

Sociocultural Determinants of Physical Activity among Children

Background. This study explores underresearched sociocultural predictors of children's physical activity and fitness, with particular attention paid to the influence of ethnicity independent from potential con founders such as social class.Methods. Utilizing a 1997/1998 cross-sectional sample of 107 children (ranging in age from 6.5 to 13 years, mean = 10 years) participating in a longitudinal study of childhood obesity in Birmingham, Alabama, predictors of television viewing, vigorous exercise, habitual physical activity, exercise in school P.E. classes, sports team participation, and maximal aerobic capacity were identified, utilizing multiple regression analyses.Results. The results indicated few ethnic differences in childhood physical activity once characteristics such as social class and single vs dual parent family background were controlled for. Specific multivariate findings included higher levels of television viewing and vigorous exercise among children from single parent homes; lower habitual physical activity among girls; less P.E. exercise among African Americans and children from single parent homes; higher sports team participation among older yet physically immature children; and higher physical fitness among boys, Cau casians, physically mature children, and children from single parent homes.Conclusions. This study illustrates the multidimensional nature of childhood physical activity and the influence of sociocultural factors on children's activity patterns.