Family Experiences Research Articles

Im/migration, mental health and well-being, and newcomer Filipino families: implications for anti-racist and anti-oppressive policies and practice

ABSTRACT This article draws upon the perspectives of newcomer Filipino families who have migrated through the global domestic work industry, specifically through Canada's Live-in/Caregiver Program (L/CP), and the perspectives of Filipino social service providers in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I examine how newcomer Filipino families make meaning of, and negotiate, the impact of family separation and reunification through the L/CP on their mental health and well-being. Moreover, I look at how Filipino social service providers center the experiences of newcomer Filipino families within service provision through an anti-racist and anti-oppressive framework, which has implications for policies and praxis in community-based agencies. The paper moves from deficit-focused experiences of ‘trauma’ to centring the voices of newcomer Filipino families as agents of change, in collaboration with Filipino social service providers. This shift illuminates how newcomer Filipino families and their lived experiences are sites of transformation in the policy and practices that impact their mental health and well-being.

Social-Emotional Profiles of Preschool Children: An Investigation of Demographic Disparities and Intersectionality.

This study aims to enhance our understanding of the diverse nature of social-emotional development and explore the demographic disparities and intersectionality of social determinants among children, with an emphasis on underserved populations of children in low-resource environments. Young children living in low-income families are exposed to a wide array of social and systemic risks that increase the propensity for poor learning and social-emotional development. Using data from the Head Start Family and Childhood Experiences Survey (FACES, this study focuses on the social-emotional development of a nationally representative sample of young children enrolled in the Head Start program (n = 1921, 50.18% male). Employing a person-centered approach, we assessed teacher-rated social-emotional competence, including approach to learning, social cooperation, aggression, hyperactivity, and anxiety/depression/withdrawal, to classify young children's social-emotional development. This study identified four distinct social-emotional profiles-Adaptive, Average, Moderate Risk, and High Risk-through latent profile analysis. Furthermore, multinomial regression analysis revealed demographic disparities within each social-emotional profile, and significant intersectionality was found between race/ethnicity, age, and disability status in the social-emotional profiles. This research provides valuable insights for better supporting each child's unique needs.

Navigating Uncertainty: The Impact of COVID-19 on Families of Terminally Ill Patients.

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused significant global mortality and left a substantial number of bereaved individuals in its wake while reshaping healthcare delivery and profoundly affecting families coping with loss. During the pandemic, public health measures and the fear of getting COVID have reshaped grieving for families, adding emotional layers and complexities. This was further compounded by bereavement challenges, including changes to gatherings that have altered social norms and limited families in honoring loved ones, causing further distressing. Purpose: To elucidate experiences of families who had a hospitalized terminally ill family member during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify themes from the existing literature that can inform clinical practice related to how healthcare providers care for individuals and their families during palliative care going forward. Methods: This scoping review delved into qualitative studies sourced from peer-reviewed literature found in PubMed, CINAHL, and MEDLINE databases. Results: A thorough search yielded 298 articles, of which 10 were included in the present review. Four themes were identified: the importance of communication, the challenges and effects of separation from loved ones, changed rituals and bereavement, and access to services and support. Implications for Practice: The restrictions and fear imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered patient and family care dynamics, disrupting customary face-to-face visits and increasing emotional strain for families, while highlighting the necessity for personalized end-of-life care. Integrating supportive frameworks and utilizing telehealth platforms or hybrid care models will be crucial in addressing the complexities of grief and loss experienced by patients, families, and caregivers during and after the pandemic.

“It’s been a hard year”: How families who have children with disabilities and chronic health conditions experience the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundFamilies of children with disabilities and chronic health conditions experience unique challenges associated with school, therapies, and social supports. However, little is known about the COVID-19 pandemic’s influence on these families. AimsTo understand the lived experiences of families with children with disabilities and chronic health conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods and ProceduresWe gathered narrative accounts from 25 mothers of children with disabilities and chronic health conditions using individual interviews (n = 19) and one focus group (n = 6). A phenomenological approach was used to analyze the data. Outcomes and ResultsThree overarching themes were identified: isolation, connection, and thriving. Families experienced isolation due to the pandemic causing stress and poor mental health; maintained social connections with other family members, friends, and care providers using virtual platforms; and discovered unexpected benefits from the pandemic including a better understanding of their children and a slower pace of life. Conclusions and ImplicationsTherapy and support for children with disabilities and their families should prioritize reducing everyday stress, developing social connections that leverage existing networks and identify potential new ones, implementing approaches that build on children’s strengths, and maintaining choice in delivery of professional and peer-led support.

Cannabidiol for treatment of Irritability and Aggressive Behavior in Children and Adolescents with ASD: Background and Methods of the CAnnabidiol Study in Children with Autism Spectrum DisordEr (CASCADE) Study.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder commonly associated with behavioral challenges. There are few evidence based pharmacological interventions available for the treatment of behavioral symptoms associated with ASD. Cannabidiol (CBD), the non-psychoactive component of cannabis, has potential neuroprotective, antiepileptic, anxiolytic, and antipsychotic effects and may be useful in treating the behavioral symptoms of ASD. We describe the research methods of a 27-week double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over trial of cannabidiol for the treatment of irritability and aggression associated with ASD, utilizing the irritability subscale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-2nd edition (ABC-2) as the primary outcome measure. Adverse effects and safety monitoring protocols are included. Several secondary and exploratory outcomes measures also include anxiety, communication, repetitive behaviors, attention, hyperactivity, autism family experience, and telehealth functional behavior assessment. There is a significant need for clinical research exploring alternative medications for the treatment of behavioral symptoms of ASD. Cannabidiol (CBD) is being studied for the management of irritability, aggression, and other problem behaviors associated with ASD.

Early Family Experiences and Neural Activity in Rural Pakistani Children: The Differential Role of Gender.

Adversity within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) poses severe threats to neurocognitive development, which can be partially mitigated by high-quality early family experiences. Specifically, maternal scaffolding and home stimulation can buffer cognitive development in LMIC, possibly by protecting underlying neural functioning. However, the association between family experiences and neural activity remains largely unexplored in LMIC contexts. This study explored the relation of early family experiences to later cognitive skills and absolute gamma power (21-45 Hz), a neural marker linked to higher-order cognitive skills. Drawing data from the PEDS trial, a longitudinal study in rural Pakistan, we examined maternal scaffolding at 24 months and home stimulation quality at 18 months as predictors of verbal IQ, executive functions, and absolute gamma at 48 months for 105 mother-child dyads (52 girls). Maternal scaffolding interacted with gender to predict absolute gamma power, such that higher maternal scaffolding was related to higher gamma more strongly for girls. Maternal scaffolding also interacted with absolute gamma to predict executive functions, such that higher gamma was related to better executive functions only when maternal scaffolding was average to high. Individual differences in early family experiences may partially buffer the neural underpinnings of cognitive skills from adversity in LMIC.

Care Planning in Ageing Families during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Unrest in Hong Kong

The role of care planning in addressing eldercare challenges has received increasing attention. However, the influence of the uncertainty triggered by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, in conjuction with significant social unrest, on family eldercare planning remains unclear. This study examines eldercare planning experiences of families in Hong Kong, focusing on the evolving changes and adaptations faced by both local residents and mainland Chinese immigrants during the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2019–2020 social unrest. Through purposive sampling, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 93 local residents and 66 migrants from 2020 to 2021. Five main themes emerged: (1) increased awareness of healthcare preparation and planning during the COVID-19 pandemic, (2) residential care homes as a suboptimal choice after the COVID-19 pandemic, (3) influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on financial planning for eldercare, (4) distant family care after the social unrest, and (5) the need to improve remote care under border restrictions. This study contributes to the literature by examining the intersection of crisis events and eldercare planning, viewing the family as a planning unit. It also deepens the understanding of caregiving within the context of health and social crises, providing valuable insights for the development of future support systems for older adults and their caregivers in similar circumstances.

Negotiating the Task of Translation: Modern Orthodox Students Read the Hebrew Bible

This paper speaks to translation as a powerful window into students’ developing religious literacy practices. It considers how 10- and 11-year-old North American Modern Orthodox Jewish students read and translate the Hebrew Bible refracted through their own cultural and religious expectations: in other words, how students use translation to negotiate their knowledge of biblical Hebrew with their lived experiences of family and gender in the context of modern Jewish life, ritual, and practice. In a Modern Orthodox Jewish school setting, Hassenfeld conducted interviews with 12 students. With each student, she used a task-based interview, asking the students to read and translate a single biblical verse (Genesis 16:15) into English. In completing the translation task, the students applied their technical knowledge of biblical Hebrew and their religious expectations of the ancient text. While translation is perceived in many Modern Orthodox educational contexts as primarily technical (i.e., the precursor to any interpretive activity), this case study suggests that student translation work cannot be separated from interpretive work. While the data set is small and the results only suggestive, the study raises an important theoretical question for future consideration: how can translation be better framed by religious educators who teach sacred texts in their original languages to allow students to understand the necessary interpretive demands it entails?

The role of physical therapists in the early detection of skin melanoma: insights from an anonymous survey.

Skin melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer. Recent years have seen an increase in melanoma incidence. Melanomas often appear on the back, a hidden area, leading to late diagnoses. Physical therapists, who frequently treat patients with lower back pain, could play a crucial role in early melanoma detection. An anonymous online survey was conducted among 254 Israeli physical therapists to assess their perspectives on melanoma detection, their knowledge in identifying suspicious lesions, and their referral patterns. The survey included sections on demographics, professional perspectives, melanoma knowledge, personal or family experiences with melanoma, and referral frequency for dermatological evaluation. The survey revealed that 75.2% of physical therapists viewed melanoma detection as part of their professional duties, yet 59.1% reported insufficient knowledge in identifying suspicious lesions. Despite this, 94.1% expressed a desire to improve their knowledge. However, only 44.1% actively referred patients with suspicious lesions to dermatologists. There was a significant positive correlation between professional experience and referral rates (p-value < 0.001), indicating that more experienced therapists were more likely to refer patients. The study highlights the critical need for incorporating melanoma detection training into physical therapy education and professional development. Enhancing physical therapists' knowledge and skills in this area could improve early detection and patient outcomes. Despite the potential role of physical therapists in melanoma detection, current training programs lack emphasis on this aspect, underscoring the importance of revising educational curricula to include skin cancer detection techniques. The findings suggest that while physical therapists recognize their role in melanoma detection, there is a significant knowledge gap. Addressing this through targeted education and training could enhance early detection efforts and improve patient care.

Child and Family Outcomes and Experiences Related to Family-Centered Care Interventions for Hospitalized Pediatric Patients: A Systematic Review.

Family-centered care (FCC) is the recommended model for pediatric inpatient care. Our overall aim was to conduct a narrative synthesis of the contemporary published research on the effectiveness of FCC interventions for pediatric inpatients. Our specific objective was to critique studies of inpatient pediatric FCC interventions that evaluated child or parent outcomes. We searched five databases (Pubmed, CINAHL, Embase, PsychInfo, and Web of Science) for peer-reviewed research published from 1 January 2017 to 6 February 2024. Independent reviewers evaluated each study based on pre-specified inclusion and exclusion criteria, then extracted and narratively synthesized the data. We found 16 studies of 15 interventions conducted in six countries. The studies were quantitative (n = 11), qualitative (n = 3), and mixed methods (n = 2), with most designs being of low to moderate quality based on a modified Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool. Interventions included family-centered rounds, parent-focused health information technology, education, patient navigation, parent-peer support, partnership, and parent participation in caregiving. Most studies found significant improvements in parents' well-being, knowledge, and participation, as well as decreased stress and anxiety with the FCC interventions compared to usual care. One study found no differences in child outcomes (infant feeding, length of stay) between usual care and a parent-participation intervention. Although FCC interventions led to many improved outcomes for parents, there were few well-designed comparison studies using validated tools and well-defined interventions. Higher quality research is needed to promote greater uptake and sustainability of FCC interventions globally.

The lucidity in dementia experience: perspectives from family and professional caregivers.

Family and professional caregivers of individuals with dementia often witness care-receiver's lucidity events. A qualitative data analysis was performed of documented family and professional caregivers' experiences and their respective appraisals of lucidity events. Using a reduction method of selection, data from 10 in-home family caregivers and 20 professional caregivers to long-term care residents was content-coded and analysed. Framed by a priori research questions, a summative approach to qualitative content analysis guided the interpretation of findings. Eight of 10 family- and 15 of 20 staff caregivers gave an example of what they believed was a witnessed lucid event; 88% of family- and 40% of staff caregivers' provided examples that appeared to fit the conceptual definition of lucidity. The emotional impact that the events had on both sets of caregivers was reported. Family caregivers' characterization of lucidity events reflected appraisals of a puzzling occurrence while staff caregivers depicted elements associated with dementia, and lucidity descriptors. The enhanced verbal communication followed by the brief, unexpected quality of lucidity, were the main elements highlighted by both sets of caregivers in their description of lucidity to others. The variability and complexity of the lucidity phenomenon and the potential challenges it poses for both sets of caregivers were characterized. Commonalities and divergences across responses were highlighted. Findings validated previous studies' results. The notions introduced by both types of caregivers were thought-provoking and borne practical, clinical, ethical, and assessment (measurement) applicability.

Collective dreaming as conduits to enact just futures in childhood/s education and care

We joined this collaborative space as colegas and friends, who come from diverse personal and professional backgrounds and have connected to Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in various ways. When we asked ourselves what it means to reconceptualize ECEC, we began with situating this idea within our own childhood, familial, and professional lived experiences, and based on these, how they have inspired us to dream for more just futures, particularly for children who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. In this collective dreaming piece, we imagine a different reality, transforming how education and society engage with the children in our educational care. Through the act of going back in time, stories are affirmed and validated, knowing we are, and were not, alone when it came to experiencing white supremacy and Anti-Blackness in education. While we cannot do much to change the past, we engage and connect through a sisterhood, and in our commitments to social justice in education, in the present and future.

Teachers’ Stories about Home Language Surveys

U.S. schools use home language surveys (HLS) as initial screening tools to determine whether students should be screened for ESL services. These placement decisions have potentially long-lasting implications for multilingual students. In this Self-Study of Teacher Education Practices (S-STEP) project, we explored how teachers talk about HLS across 7 academic years of the first author’s ESL assessment course, and how they made sense of families’ decisions to hide home languages on the HLS. We analyzed teachers’ stories when discussing a news article about families who provided misinformation on HLS, so their children would not be screened for ESL. Our question is: How do teachers use their experiences to understand families’ decisions about providing misinformation on HLS? These stories illuminated how teachers made sense of the HLS experiences of families in the news article, and how teachers identified problems with HLS. Teachers’ stories included sharing about people they knew or about they themselves, as parents, completing HLS; about what happened after families submitted HLS; and about why families would provide misinformation, including past difficult experiences in ESL themselves and fears of stigma or tracking. Based on these stories, we consider implications for those who might change HLS, teachers, teacher educators, and researchers.

Examining emotion regulation and inflammation as predictors of maternal mental health after fetal anomaly diagnosis

ObjectiveFetal anomalies occur in approximately 3% of pregnancies and receiving the diagnosis may be a potentially traumatic experience for families. The mental health of mothers receiving diagnoses and what predicts resilience or poor mental health is understudied. Emotion regulation is an important, modifiable, transdiagnostic factor of mental health, and may be protective post-diagnosis. Evaluating biomarkers of stress, including IL-6 and Allostatic Load (AL), can also serve as early indicators of risk, indicative of early intervention. This study assessed whether reappraisal, suppression, IL-6, and AL was associated with mental health outcomes and resilience in women after receiving a fetal anomaly diagnosis. MethodsPregnant women (N=108) presenting to a fetal concerns clinic for initial consultation completed measures of emotion regulation (i.e., reappraisal and suppression), depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and resilience between 2019–2022. A blood draw was used to assess IL-6 and create composite allostatic load measure including: IL-6, blood pressure, heart rate, glucose, cortisol, and body mass index. ResultsLinear regressions controlling for age, gestational age, and perceived fetal diagnosis severity, demonstrated that IL-6 was negatively associated with resilience and positively associated with depression. Reappraisal was positively associated to resilience and negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and PTSD, whereas state insurance status was positively associated to anxiety and PTS symptoms. Suppression and allostatic load were not significant. ConclusionsWomen experiencing fetal anomaly diagnosis represent an understudied population with unaddressed mental health needs. Reappraisal serves as not only a protective factor, but one that can be enhanced to promote maternal resilience and mental health. Furthermore, elevated IL-6 may be a critical early indicator of potential intervention needs among women who are pregnant, to mitigate negative psychological states and enhance resilience.

Pandemic-Era Schooling with Multilingual Learners: Probing the Experiences of Teachers and Families to Inform Future Practice

ABSTRACT This study investigated the pandemic-era schooling experiences of teachers and families of multilingual learners (MLLs) in the United States, using a strength-based lens to explore innovative, collaborative, and responsive practices. Using a multiple-case study design of three Midwestern districts, we probed how teachers and parents carved out and filled up spaces to facilitate sound practice for MLLs. Findings indicate that stakeholders collaboratively established structures to (a) enhance communication, (b) prioritize holistic well-being, (c) recognize cultural and linguistic strengths, and (d) provide innovative pedagogy. Implications center on building from strengths to transform policy and practice with MLLs in post-pandemic schools.

Experiences of Families Using the Coaching Model in Early Intervention

Abstract Date Presented 03/21/24 This qualitative study examined the experiences of eight families using the coaching model in early intervention (EI) through in-depth interviews in order to dispel some myths and provide strategies to best meet families’ needs in EI. Primary Author and Speaker: Beth K. Elenko Additional Authors and Speakers: Alexa Georgeton, Nicole Maguire, Kavita Gera

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Family Economic Well-being: Evidence from the Survey of Consumer Finances

The COVID-19 pandemic caused severe disruptions to the U.S. labor market and economic activity. We establish connections between family experiences of the pandemic, their income under normal conditions, and their later economic well-being using the 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances. By their interview, one-third of families experienced net employment declines, one-third had teleworked, and one-fifth had significant COVID-19-related health events. These experiences strongly reflected families’ positions in the income distribution, with lower-income families bearing the brunt. They also tightly predict income and wealth after the initial disruptions, signifying that the pandemic economy likely amplified pre-pandemic differences and fostered new divides.

Trauma in the American asylum process: Experiences of immigrant families under the migrant protection protocols.

Latinx asylum-seeking families report posttraumatic distress that is 161-204% higher than in nonimmigrants, with adverse consequences for health and well-being. Recent U.S. policies have further embedded trauma in the asylum-seeking process by forcing families to remain in Mexico, enduring dire living conditions in tent encampments near the border while awaiting processing. These families are now entering the United States in large numbers. This article sheds light on their recent experiences and mental health needs, using a mixed methods-grounded theory design, presenting quantitative and qualitative data to describe the experiences of six asylum-seeking families who waited for 1-2 years in the refugee camp in Mexico. Quantitative data was obtained from the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 and the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire while qualitative interviews provided insight into reasons for migration and trauma at different stages of the migration process. All participants experienced multiple traumas and endorsed trauma related symptoms. Important themes of psychological distress and trauma emerged, including unending suffering, hunger, and worry for the safety of their children while living in the refugee camp. Asylum-seeking families experienced substantial distress and trauma secondary to their stay in Mexico and COVID-19. Families arriving to the United States have experienced significant trauma, separation, and loss before and during their journey. Interactions with an unprepared and overwhelmed immigration system further compromises their psychological well-being. It is imperative that first-person narratives inform policy that addresses their complex needs and protects their human rights. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

IPA Analysis: Exploring the Postsurgical Needs of Guatemalan Children &amp; Their Families From Low-SES Communities Using an OT Lens

Abstract Date Presented 03/22/24 This study explores the experiences of children and families from low-socioeconomic status (SES) communities after short-term surgical mission trips in Guatemala. The findings highlight the occupational injustices that challenge recovery experienced by this population. Primary Author and Speaker: Diana Del Carmen Tojin Additional Authors and Speakers: Karen Aranha Contributing Authors: Karen Aranha, Angela Labrie Blackwell

Experiences of Families Receiving OT Services for Their Autistic Children

Abstract Date Presented 03/23/24 This study examined the family experience of receiving OT services for their autistic child and the degree to which those OT services were client centered. Findings identify family preferences and the aspects of OT services that they value most. Primary Author and Speaker: Renee Watling Additional Authors and Speakers: Kylie Darby, Natalie Daughton