Family Cohesion Research Articles

Exploring the relationship between child temperament, maternal psychiatric symptoms, family environment and infant feeding.

Infant temperament is assumed to be primarily innate. However, newer research suggests that maternal affection impacts ratings of temperament and environmental factors, including feeding method, can also influence infant temperament. This study investigates child temperament and its relationships with maternal psychiatric symptoms, environmental variables and feeding method longitudinally in a cohort of children followed from 6 to 72 months. Differences in temperament by feeding group are also investigated. We hypothesized that maternal psychiatric symptoms, environmental stressors, and impaired family dynamics would have negative impact on child temperament, whereas breastfeeding would have a positive impact on child temperament. Mothers' ratings of child's temperament, own psychiatric symptomatology, environmental stresses and family cohesion were obtained in 504 mother-infant dyads via rating scales completed by mothers. Infants were breastfeed (BF), fed soy-based infant formula (SF) or dairy-based infant formula (MF). Linear mixed effect models investigated the relationship of variables on child's temperament while controlling for significant covariates and repeated measurements. Mothers in this study did not endorse clinical-level psychiatric symptomatology; however, when adjusted for significant covariates, higher psychiatric symptomatology significantly correlated with environmental stressors, impaired family dynamics and elevations in temperament ratings of infants' adaptability and mood. There were no lasting differences for temperament between feeding groups. However, some significant transient increases in rhythmicity and adaptability were found between SF and BF children. Positive relationships between family environment stressors and maternal psychiatric ratings were found. Transient differences were found in child temperament based upon feeding method.

The role of resilience in the association between stressful life events and academic performance in university students

Although there is evidence of the relationship between stress and academic performance, the possible moderating role of resilience in this association has been investigated to a lesser extent. This study aimed to evaluate the role of resilience in the relationship between stressful life events and academic performance in undergraduate university students. The Life Events Questionnaire and the Adult Resilience Scale were administered to 389 undergraduates aged 18-29. Regressions were performed. Results showed that life event stress predicted low academic performance, while resilience predicted better academic performance and lower life event stress. Two resilience factors moderated the impact of stressful life events on academic performance: family cohesion and social support. Correlation and variance values were low but significant. The results suggest that university programs could improve academic performance by promoting greater student resilience and strengthening other significant factors.

How can the Social Family Climate Contribute to Emotional Intelligence in Preventing Suicidal Ideation and Promoting Life Satisfaction Among Adolescents?

AbstractWhile findings have documented the association between emotional intelligence, life satisfaction, and suicidal ideation among adolescents, few studies have investigated the moderating effect of family climate on the association. This study examined the moderating effect of family cohesion, expressiveness, and conflict on the relationships between emotional intelligence, life satisfaction, and suicidal ideation among Spanish adolescents. A total of 2,722 adolescents aged 12 to 18 (Mage = 14.11, SD = 1.42, 52.8% girls) formed the sample. The interaction effects were significant, with family conflict mitigating the effects of emotional intelligence on life satisfaction, and family cohesion and expressiveness strengthening the effects of emotional intelligence on suicidal ideation. These findings provide additional evidence for the protective role of family cohesion and expressiveness in adolescent suicidal ideation, and the harmful role of family conflict in adolescent wellbeing. The results imply that enhancing family cohesion and expressiveness and reducing family conflict may be a promising way to boost the link between emotional intelligence and life satisfaction and to prevent suicidal ideation among adolescents.

Family Social Work Interventions Model To Promote Family Cohesion Among The Users Of Social Media In Uasin-Gishu County, Kenya

In the rapidly evolving digital age, social media has become an integral part of daily life, significantly influencing family dynamics and cohesion. This study explored the impact of social media on family cohesion and examined possible family social work intervention models to promote family unity among users in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Utilizing a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the research gathered quantitative data through surveys of 400 respondents and qualitative insights from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The findings revealed that 72.1% of participants supported the establishment of clear boundaries and rules around social media use to enhance family cohesion, with a mean score of 3.84. Additionally, 70.3% agreed that regular family activities strengthened family bonds, while 68.8% acknowledged the positive impact of family therapy on communication within social media-using families. The study also found strong support for educational initiatives on healthy social media use, with 71.3% of respondents endorsing their effectiveness. Hypothesis testing confirmed a significant relationship between family social work interventions and improved family cohesion, evidenced by a Pearson correlation coefficient of .648 and a significant chi-square result (p < .001). The study concludes that structured social work interventions, such as setting boundaries, promoting family activities, and providing education, are crucial in maintaining family cohesion in the context of increasing social media usage. These findings offer valuable insights for social work practitioners, policymakers, and families seeking to balance digital engagement with family unity

Reciprocal prospective effects among parental psychological distress, family cohesion, and child socioemotional behavior within families.

This study explores the dyadic longitudinal interplay among parents' psychological distress, family cohesion, children's internalizing/externalizing behaviors, and peer-related social competence within individual and dyadic relationships. Data came from a nationally representative longitudinal cohort study of children in South Korea. The analyses included 1,779 families across three annual timepoints. Children were 4 years old (48.6% girls) and the mean ages of mothers and fathers were 34.8 and 37.3 years, respectively, at baseline. At each assessment point, mothers completed questionnaires regarding their psychological distress, cohesion, and their child's internalizing/externalizing behaviors, while fathers provided information on their psychological distress and family cohesion. Preschool teachers also evaluated children's peer social competence at each measurement timepoint. The results revealed bidirectional associations between maternal ratings of psychological distress and children's internalizing/externalizing behaviors as well as between maternal ratings of cohesion and children's internalizing/externalizing behaviors. Paternal ratings of psychological distress were longitudinally related to maternal ratings of children's internalizing behaviors. Teacher ratings of children's peer social competence were associated with maternal ratings of internalizing/externalizing behaviors and paternal ratings of psychological distress and cohesion. Teacher ratings of peer social competence and maternal ratings of internalizing and externalizing behaviors were reciprocally associated. Maternal and paternal ratings of psychological distress and cohesion were prospectively and bidirectionally associated. The findings demonstrate prospective transactions among family subsystems, some of which were moderated by child sex, while highlighting the importance of obtaining data on each family member and considering interactive effects of both parent and child sex in this line of inquiry. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

The Impact of Family Functioning on Self-Esteem and Resilience Among Young Adults in the Southern Region of Bangladesh

Family functioning, such as family adaptability and family cohesion, is a crucial component of every individual’s life, can influence his/her self-esteem and resilience, acting as protective factors in the environment. The present study examined the impact of family functioning on self-esteem and resilience among university students in the southern region of Bangladesh. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on 400 students from four different universities situated at Gopalganj, Khulna, Barisal, and Jessore. Bangla version of Resilience Scale for Adults, Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale, Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale II, and Personal Information Form were used for data collection. Independent sample ‘t’ test revealed significant gender differences in family functioning; Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed significant positive relationship among family functioning, self-esteem and resilience; regression analysis showed both self-esteem and resilience can be predicted by family functioning. The results can inform efforts to strengthen family relationships and enhance communication within families. Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 33(2): 87-95, 2024 (July)

The mediating role of family functioning between childhood trauma and depression severity in major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder

BackgroundChildhood trauma (CT) and family functioning exert significant influences on the course and long-term outcome of major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) patients. Hence, we examined the intricate relationship between CT, family function, and the severity of depressive episodes in MDD and BD patients. Methods562 patients with depressive episodes (336 MDD and 226 BD) and 204 healthy controls (HCs) were included in this retrospective study. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), and Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES II-CV) were assessed. Pearson correlation analysis and mediation analysis were performed. ResultsCT had both a direct and indirect impact on depression severity in MDD and BD groups. In MDD, family adaptability mediated the impact of all CT subtypes on depression severity (Effect = 0.113, [0.030, 0.208]). In BD, family cohesion played a mediating role between emotional neglect (EN) and HAMD-17 scores (Effect = 0.169, [0.008, 0.344]). Notable differences were observed in onset age, illness duration, episode frequency, family history, and CT subtypes between MDD and BD (P < 0.05). LimitationsThis study has several limitations including recall bias, lack of objective family functioning measures, small sample size, and cross-sectional design. ConclusionsFamily functioning mediated the impact of CT on depressive symptoms severity in MDD and BD patients. MDD patients with a history of CT exhibited reduced family adaptability, while BD patients with a history of EN had weaker familial emotional bonds. Our findings highlighted the importance of family-focused preventive interventions in mitigating the long-term effects of CT.

Association between cognitive insight and anxiety among community-dwelling schizophrenia patients: the chain mediating effects of family cohesion and chronotype.

To investigate the effect of cognitive insight on anxiety in community-dwelling schizophrenia patients and to construct a chain mediating model to determine the underlying mechanisms of the relationship between cognitive insight and anxiety through family cohesion and chronotype. The Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, the Chinese version of the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale, the Morningness-Eveningness Scale, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale were used to assess cognitive insight, family cohesion, chronotype, and anxiety in a sample of 785 individuals with schizophrenia living in the community. Spearman correlation analysis, multiple linear regression and Bootstrap methods were employed to analyze the four variables. Residential region, current employment status, and family economic status impacted anxiety among community-dwelling schizophrenia patients. All variables were associated with each other, but self-certainty was not significantly associated with anxiety. Cognitive insight and self-reflection had direct effects on anxiety, as well as indirect effects on anxiety through the partial mediating effect of chronotype, the suppressing effect of family cohesion, and the chain mediating effect of family cohesion and chronotype. Family cohesion and chronotype can mediate the relationship between cognitive insight and anxiety. Improving family functioning, promoting emotional relationships within families, and correcting non-circadian sleep patterns can reduce anxiety in community-dwelling schizophrenia patients, with important implications for improving adverse mental health outcomes.

Perceived childhood family cohesiveness prior to deployment prospectively moderates risk for war-zone psychopathology in theater among deployed U.S. soldiers.

Several studies have demonstrated robust protective effects of childhood family support and cohesiveness on adult stress-related psychopathology. However, there is little evidence regarding the prospective relationship between the perceived childhood family environment and the in-theater emergence of war-zone stress-related psychological symptoms. The present report is from data collected from the Texas Combat PTSD Risk Project, which aims to identify risk and resilience factors at predeployment that predict the subsequent impact of war-zone stressors in terms of psychological symptom emergence in U.S. soldiers deployed to Iraq. Soldiers (N = 150) completed a battery of standardized interview and self-report assessments at predeployment, including a measure of perceived childhood family cohesion. Once deployed, soldiers completed monthly web-based self-report assessments of war-zone stressors, posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression, and anxiety. Consistent with predictions, greater perceived childhood family cohesiveness prior to deployment robustly mitigated subsequent in-theater symptoms. However, contrary to predictions, childhood family cohesiveness did not reliably moderate the linkage between war-zone stressors and in-theater symptoms. Consistent with a wealth of other evidence demonstrating protective stress resilience effects of childhood family cohesion that extend across the lifespan, the present findings suggest they also extend to the war-zone environment among deployed soldiers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Risk and Protective Factors in Children Bullying Perpetration: Application of the Multiple Disadvantage Model.

This secondary study examined bullying perpetration's relationships with social disorganization, social structural factors, social relationships, mental health, and access to health insurance and care. A sample of 30,173 children age 6 to 17 years was extracted from the 2021 National Survey of Children's Health for secondary data analysis. Logistic regression results demonstrated that these children's likelihood of bullying perpetration was positively associated with racial discrimination, child age 6 to 10 years, child age 11 to 13 years, parent education level, employed parent, neighbor support, family violence, difficulty parenting the child, child difficulty with peers, child behavioral/conduct problems, family substance use problem, and child receipt of mental health services; such likelihood also had negative associations with safe neighborhood, Black, Asian, other non-Hispanic ethnic minority, parent age, and family cohesiveness. Implications included interventions to promote awareness of racial discrimination for families as well as bully prevention programs in schools and communities.

A longitudinal study on impact of emergency cash transfer payments during the COVID pandemic on coping among Australian young adults

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused financial hardship and psychological distress among young Australians. This study investigates whether the Australian Government’s emergency cash transfer payments—specifically welfare expansion for those unemployed prior to the pandemic (known in Australia as the Coronavirus Supplement) and JobKeeper (cash support for those with reduced or stopped employment due to the pandemic)—were associated with individual’s level of coping during the coronavirus pandemic among those with and without mental disorders (including anxiety, depression, ADHD and autism). The sample included 902 young adults who participated in all of the last three waves (8, 9C1, 9C2) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC), a nationally representative cohort study. Modified Poisson regression models were used to assess the impact of emergency cash transfer payments on 18–22-year-old’s self-rated coping level, stratifying the analysis by those with and without mental disorders. All models were adjusted for gender, employment, location, family cohesion, history of smoking, alcohol intake, and COVID-19 test result. Of the 902-person sample analysed, 41.5% (n = 374) reported high levels of coping, 18.9% (n = 171) reported mental disorders, 40.3% (n = 364) received the Coronavirus Supplement and 16.4% (n = 148) received JobKeeper payments. Analysing the total sample demonstrated that participants who received the JobKeeper payment were more likely to have a higher level of coping compared to those who did not receive the JobKeeper payment. Stratified analyses demonstrated that those with pre-existing mental disorder obtained significant benefit from the JobKeeper payment on their level of coping, compared to those who did not receive JobKeeper. In contrast, receipt of the Coronavirus Supplement was not significantly associated with higher level of coping. Among those with no mental health disorder, neither the Coronavirus Supplement nor JobKeeper had a statistically significant impact on level of coping. These findings suggest the positive impacts of cash transfers on level of coping during the pandemic were limited to those with a pre-existing mental disorder who received JobKeeper.

Next generations of entrepreneurs: between independent new ventures and hierarchical family firms

This study explores the modes of exploitation of business opportunities among the next generation of entrepreneurs (NGEs) and how the family firm context influences the choice of mode. This is an area of limited knowledge. I argue that aside from adhering to existing family firms, NGEs also develop new ventures independent of their family firms. For this purpose, a multi-case study was conducted based on 15 Colombian entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs were second and third-generation family firms, were involved within the FF or with their leaders, and demonstrated experience in exploiting business opportunities. The findings show that NGEs exploit business opportunities in their family firms, independently and simultaneously in both modes. NGEs that opt for the hierarchical mode experience cohesive family contexts and inclusive leadership focused on the family or the family firm. NGEs that opted for market mode by performing independent ventures were guided by leaders focused on entrepreneurship and who also promoted the formation of informal groups among NGEs. These results extend our comprehension of the influence of family firms in entrepreneurship and set the importance of fostering entrepreneurship among NGE to increase the opportunities to develop their interests without depending on the family firm.

Lessons learned during the pandemic: Parental coping and the positive effects of COVID‐19

AbstractObjectiveThis exploratory mixed‐methods study examined the perceptions of parental experience, coping, and resiliency of 690 parents in the United States during the pandemic.BackgroundIn response to being faced with additional stressors from the onset of COVID‐19 pandemic, many families tapped into coping strategies and resilience.ResultsA survey administered during July–September of 2020 determined that parental stress, difficulties with COVID‐19, and family functioning significantly impacted overall parental experience. Health concerns did not have a significant impact on parenting. Qualitative data were coded and analyzed to answer two open‐ended questions regarding parents coping and positive effects of the pandemic. Four subthemes emerged: (a) readjusting connections, (b) intentional wellness, (c) family cohesion, and (d) deceleration of time.ConclusionThe findings of this study suggest that parents were able to develop coping strategies and find positives even during the early stages of the pandemic.ImplicationsThis study provides support for Walsh's (2020) description of “bouncing forward” versus the traditional notion of “bouncing back” in the face of change and uncertainty, especially for higher resourced families. A common experience for participants was the reported use of intentional strategies that aided in processing, healing, and hope during this time of uncertainty.

Understanding decision‐making processes of prospective adoptive parents: A mixed‐methods study

AbstractObjectiveThis study explores prospective adoptive parents' conceptions by testing hypotheses based on a decision‐making model proposed by Willis Hepp and colleagues grounded in symbolic interaction.BackgroundMultiple factors inform decisions to adopt. However, little is known about the decision‐making process as prospective adoptive parents consider this option.MethodSeventeen prospective adoptive parents were recruited using purposive sampling. An advanced concurrent mixed‐methods design was used to integrate findings from semistructured interviews and a survey using the FACES IV to generate more complete conclusions regarding the model.ResultsTen themes emerged related to prospective parents' conceptions of self and generalized others, including internalization of adoption as part of one's self, referencing families of origin in family formation thinking, and personal histories informing future visions. Pronatal, biological social pressures echo in families of origin that, combined with religious and other social experiences, impact decision‐making. Family cohesion, flexibility, and communication vary based on where they fall along a spectrum of decision‐making.ConclusionConceptions of self and others inform decision‐making, where some choose, and others wait or opt out of, adoptive parenthood.ImplicationsIt behooves practitioners to differentiate supports for individuals thinking about transition to adoptive parenthood based on their conceptions of self and generalized others.

Relationships between work-family conflict and family structure in the lives of working mothers in Hungary – a pilot study

BackgroundThe family, as the basic socialization environment, is a complex dynamic system that - as a whole and through its subsystems - is in relationships with other social systems (Bagdy in Family socialization and personality disorders. Nemzeti Tankönyvkiadó, Budapest, 2002; Lakatos et al. in Mentálhigiéné és Pszichoszomatika 21(1):56–85, 2020). The system with which the family system has long-term relationships is the work system/environment. Creating and maintaining a work-life balance has become a central issue in our societies, as they are two of the most organising forces, and reconciling them is a very difficult task due to the demands and expectations coming from both directions, often simultaneously (Makra et al. in Magyar Pszichológiai Szemle 67(3):491–518, 2012). This kind of “double burden” primarily affects women, but their increasing role in the labour market is not necessarily followed by an equal sharing of work within family life (Engler et al. in Work-life balance in women’s careers. In: Tardos K, Paksi V, Fábri Gy (eds) Scientific careers in the early 21st century. Belvedere Meridionale, Szeged, pp 114–126, 2021). We hypothesise that involvement in work negatively correlates with work-life balance, making it more difficult to integrate into the family. It was expected that the relationship between the number of children and mothers’ professional involvement would be negative. A positive correlation was expected between the age of the youngest child and the mothers’ work involvement. On the other hand, a family united by cohesion and resilience leads to higher job satisfaction.MethodsFor the present analysis, we analysed the relationships between work-family conflict and family structure in working mothers with children in a sample of 273 participants. The self-reported questionnaire included demographic data and 2 standard questionnaires: the Work-Family Conflict Questionnaire and the Olson-Family Test (FACES-IV.). The study was conducted in Hungary.ResultsNo significant relationship was found between work involvement and work-family conflict. A negative relationship was observed between work involvement and family involvement. Similiarily, no significant relationship was found between the number of children, the age of the youngest child and work involvement, contrary to expectations. The findings indicate a positive relationship between good family cohesion, flexibility and job satisfaction.ConclusionStriking a work-family balance is a challenging process for families with young children, especially working mothers. A mutually negative relationship between work and family involvement has been shown. The importance of a well-functioning family, with adequate cohesion and flexibility, is reflected in family and job satisfaction. The relationship between work-to-family conflict and job involvement is moderated significantly only when family flexibility is low. The results from the present pilot study indicate important relationships between variables and point to further research directions worth investigating in a larger sample in the future.

Role of Family Cohesion as Moderator between Job Stress and Drug Abuse among Employees of Business Process Outsourcing / Information Technology Sector

Role of Family Cohesion as Moderator between Job Stress and Drug Abuse among Employees of Business Process Outsourcing / Information Technology Sector

Family Environment, Social Support, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents Following Kidney Transplant.

Kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for pediatric end-stage renal disease. Transplant recipients often have better neurocognitive, academic, and health-related outcomes. While there is some evidence that health-related quality of life (HRQOL) improves following kidney transplant, other studies have found adolescent transplant recipients report lower overall HRQOL than healthy peers. Current research has focused on individual-level factors affecting adjustment to organ transplant, warranting examination of HRQOL from a systems perspective. Family environment and social support contribute to a system of proximal relationships that are crucial in adolescents' development, making them important factors to study in relation to HRQOL post-transplant. The current study utilized archival data of adolescent renal transplant patients who completed surveys about their family environment, social support, and HRQOL during routine transplant clinic visits. Family cohesion, as well as social support from parents, classmates, and people in school, were positively correlated with HRQOL. Social support from people in school uniquely predicted variance in HRQOL, beyond the contribution of overall family environment after controlling for demographic factors. Relative to comparable adolescent samples, transplant recipients reported more optimal overall family environment, greater social support from teachers, and lower social support from close friends. Psychosocial interventions for adolescent kidney transplant recipients may be enhanced by collaborating with school professionals and further bolstering strengths in the family environment. Kidney transplant recipients may benefit from long-term intervention, as decreased HRQOL appears to persist years post-transplant.

Family meals are associated with lower substance use in female adolescents.

Adolescents, especially female youth, who have more family meals tend to be at lower risk for substance use. The present study tested whether family meals relate to substance use count and frequency during high school, whether associations differ by gender, and whether other family-related variables explain these associations. A community sample of 316 adolescents (Mage = 16.40, SD = 0.74; 56.96% female; 41.77% Latine, 23.10% Asian American, 29.11% European American, 6.01% from other ethnic backgrounds including Middle Eastern and African American) reported the number of substances they have ever used and how often they used alcohol, marijuana, and cigarettes, and completed measures of parental support and family cohesion. Across 15 days, they reported whether they had a family meal, got along with parents, and spent leisure time with their family each day. Regression models tested associations between frequency of family meals and substance use, whether associations differed by gender, and whether associations were explained by other family-related variables. Results indicated that more frequent family meals were associated with lower substance use count and less frequent alcohol, marijuana, and cigarette use among female adolescents but not male adolescents. Other daily family experiences were unrelated to substance use, and family meal frequency was independently related to lower substance use after accounting for parental support and family cohesion. Taken together, more frequent family meals in high school may reduce substance use risk for female adolescents, and interventions could consider promoting family meals in addition to other positive family values.

تصورات الفكر الحداثي عن التشريعات الإسلامية للأسرة: دراسة تحليلية مقارنة

This study aims to contribute to the ongoing debate on the perceptions of modernity-related thought concerning family affairs in Islamic legislation. Analyzing the discourse of modernity and the issues raised therein, the researcher attempts to answer the following questions: what effect-if any- does one’s stance on religious heritage have on the study of family-related issues? what are the flaws of the modernists with respect to the family? what are the alternative perceptions that Islam presents concerning family values and legislation? To answer these questions- and to achieve the objective of his study- the researcher has used a descriptive as well as a comparative approach. In conclusion, the study has found that the flaws of the modernist approach, which adopts western secular concepts and values on a universal scale, can be traced back to its rejection of any cultural particularities stemming from religious heritage. That is why it fails to acknowledge or explain the changes witnessed in daily life in Muslim societies. Understandably, an explanation of such changes cannot be reduced exclusively to a material worldview. Identifying some features of such shortcomings, the researcher has referred to the modernists’ rejection of value-based family cohesion, and how they see it as a source of violation to women's rights. Or worse still, they see it as a form of stereotyping the gender roles in line with religious rulings. On the positive side, the study outlined some features of an alternative methodology from within the Islamic worldview- to address the issues of parent education, family upbringing based on dialogue, equality among family members, and women’s freedoms, which modernists usually raise. The study ends by urging researchers to conduct further case studies on a specific country or family institutions. The focus of such works should be on evaluating the content of the modernist discourse in international agreements, and its impact on women and children, on the identity of the family, as well as its functions and characteristics from the perspective of cultural differences among nations.

Parenting in socially vulnerable Brazilian families benefiting from the Bolsa Família Program

Bolsa Família is an important Brazilian public policy for conditional income transfer to socially vulnerable families. Breaking the conditionalities relating to basic care in terms of children’s education and health leads to problems in terms of parenting. The objectives of this study were to verify the existence of differences in parenting in families benefiting from the Program and to check which parenting-related variables would predict compliance with the conditionalities. Thirty mothers/guardians of families benefiting from the Program who were not adhering to the conditionalities and 30 who were adhering took part in the study. Questionnaires were used to obtain information on constructs relevant to the model for studying parenting proposed by Belsky (contextual, relational, and personal - caregiver/child). Comparison and prediction tests showed that families in compliance with the conditionalities had greater family cohesion; children had fewer social competence and behavioral problems, and caregivers had less personal and psychological fragility. These aspects seem important in proposing a supplementary program to the Bolsa Família, targeting families at risk of breaking conditionalities, indicating that public policy must also be responsive to psychosocial dimensions.