Family Connections Research Articles

The Role of Family in Queer Latinx/a/o Identity Development: A Narrative Inquiry of College Student Experiences

Family relationships are significant to the experience of developing identity. Scholars have previously indicated the complexity of identity maturation when people carry multiple historically marginalized identities and have to navigate oppressive contexts. These complex experiences are prominent during the young adulthood phase of life when many are pursuing higher education. Building from their previous study on familial relationships among BIPOC LGBTQ+ college students, the authors were curious to further explore the unique experiences of a sub-group of three queer Latinx/a/o identified participants. Thus, the purpose of this narrative inquiry was to understand how family relationships shape identity exploration and development at the intersection of Latinx/a/o and queer identities. Using intersectionality as a guiding framework through analysis, findings yielded three themes: environment shapes meaning making, ethnic gendered roles impact developmental process, and challenges integrating siloed worlds. The authors discuss implications for family science scholars and helping professionals alike to further understand and support identity exploration and development through familial connections, particularly during young adulthood in collegiate settings.

The Venezuelan Migrant Population’s Right to Health in the Bucaramanga Metropolitan Area

Colombia has received the largest influx of Venezuelan refugees and migrants. Since 2015, more than 3 million Venezuelan migrants have entered the country. Those arriving in Cúcuta have several options for entering Colombian territory. One of the main routes involves a difficult and dangerous journey of nearly 200 km to the Metropolitan Area of Bucaramanga, which serves as a key territory for accessing various destinations. Because of its geographical location, this area serves as an important transit city, facilitating travel to other major cities in Colombia, such as Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali; it is also a residence destination for Venezuelan migrants. Among the specific reasons why immigrants choose Bucaramanga over other cities are factors like climate, the existence of various cooperation organizations that provide assistance, and the considerable number of migrant individuals previously settled in this area; thus, many new migrants have family or friendship connections there. Furthermore, for many, it is the safest option or the only place they can go to when the weather turns cold. In this study, we analyze the institutional response and identify barriers that limit the protection of Venezuelan migrants’ right to access to healthcare in this location where Venezuelan citizens have faced economic, legal, bureaucratic, and social barriers. This has profound consequences for migrants’ health and poses a risk to their lives. The article is primarily based on interviews and fieldwork conducted with migrant populations between 2022 and 2023 to identify the barriers and supporting elements they experienced in terms of health care services. Likewise, this study makes a significant contribution by directly examining the experiences of Venezuelan migrants in relation to the right to health in this area. This provides a useful understanding of the social phenomenon at both the academic and institutional levels.

Trusting information from friends: Adults expect it but preschoolers do not.

As adults, we might understand that beliefs often spread because people are strongly influenced by their friends, family, and other social connections. However, do we think those influences are strong enough to overrule direct evidence of a friend's unreliability? And do preschoolers expect people to show such biases toward friends and to privilege friendship over reliability? Across three experiments, we explored whether friendship influences the evaluations of trust when others learn labels for novel objects as well as personal opinions. After watching scenes involving a main character, her best friend, and a stranger, preschoolers and adults judged who would be trusted for information from the main character's perspective (third person) as well as their own (first person). Adults (n = 128, 55 female, recruited online from across the United States) expected the main character to trust information from her friend even if she had been previously inaccurate, while basing their own first-person judgments on accuracy. In contrast, 4- and 5-year-olds (n = 128, 62 female, from the United States) thought that the main character would be like themselves and prioritize accuracy over friendship. Further, preschoolers expected the main character to trust her (inaccurate) friend and (accurate) stranger equally when forming personal opinions. Thus, young children, unlike adults, do not expect others' epistemic trust to privilege friendship with the speaker over accuracy information. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Positive family connections for families of children with a developmental disability: Cluster randomized controlled trial.

Positive Family Connections is a coproduced, positively oriented, family-systems program for families of children with a developmental disability aged 8-13 years. The study was a feasibility cluster randomized-controlled trial which was registered prospectively (International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number 14809884). Families (clusters) were randomized 1:1 to take part in Positive Family Connections immediately or to a waitlist condition and were followed up 4 months and 9 months after randomization. Feasibility outcomes included participant and facilitator recruitment rates, retention, intervention adherence, and fidelity. The proposed primary outcome measure was the family APGAR, a measure of family functioning. Quantitative data were analyzed using multilevel modeling. Sixty families (60 primary parental carers and 13 second carers) were randomized. 73.33% of primary parental carers and 71.43% of second carers in the intervention group attended ≥ 4 intervention sessions, and fidelity of delivery was high (M = 94.02% intervention components delivered). Retention for the proposed primary outcome was 97.26% at 4-month follow-up and 98.63% at 9-month follow-up. Intervention condition was not associated with family APGAR scores at 9-month follow-up (estimate = 0.06, 95% CI [-0.49, 0.61], p = .86, Hedges' g = 0.03, 95% CI [-0.43, 0.49]). However, meaningful improvements were observed for other secondary outcomes related to parental well-being and family relationships. A definitive randomized-controlled trial of Positive Family Connections is feasible. Preliminary evaluation of outcomes shows that Positive Family Connections may be beneficial for parental psychological well-being and family relationships. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Women’s engagement with the Syrian opposition: Pathways, perspectives, and participation

In its early months, the Syrian uprising included a diverse array of participants, including many from communities that the regime had previously assumed to be loyal, whether because of their sectarian identity, where they lived, or family ties to the military. The experiences of women from these communities can shed light on important aspects of the Syrian uprising, and test some of our key assumptions about women’s participation in contentious politics and the gendered aspects of political violence. Based on interviews, this article engages with the work on gender and conflict in examining family connections and political grievances that drew many women to the opposition, the specifically gendered risks that they faced, and the advantages that some women felt their gender and sectarian identities gave them as organizers and activists.

The TikTok Application: A Virtual Portal for Manifesting the Collective Aspirations of the Masses

Social media, as a virtual platform for social contact, has undoubtedly brought about significant social changes over time, thanks to the ever-advancing technology of today. As society progresses, the way individuals behave can vary between their actions in the physical world and their actions in the online realm. The omnipresent TikTok application has enthralled a wide array of populations, encompassing both the privileged and the labouring class, across various age brackets. Social change refers to a fundamental shift in the structure and functioning of social relationships, encompassing aspects such as power dynamics, decision-making processes, social influence, family connections, and population patterns. In this instance, the author will examine how the TikTok application might effectively redirect individuals' desires towards an institution or the public in the virtual realm. This research employs a qualitative approach through a literature review, wherein prior studies are analysed and synthesized to create a new body of literature.

The Hard Problem of Informed Consent: Risks and Limits of Personal Autonomy in Biobanks

This article explores the connection between biobanks and society through informed consent. An analysis of the risks associated with biobanks and the idea of informed consent in the context of the functioning of biobanks are carried out. The hypothesis of this study is that the concept of informed consent structurally, at the level of risk assessment in relation to oneself and close relatives, does not coincide with the beneficiary model of obtaining scientific knowledge based on justice and the concept of minimal harm. This may argue for the principle of informed consent based on respect for the principle of autonomy. The article makes the assumption that the introduction of an extended informed consent form without the possibility of specifying in which studies biospecimens will be used affects not only individual interests, but also the interests of immediate relatives. Finding such a model of informed consent, where not only the arguments of the beneficiary model and the concept of negligible risk, implemented on the basis of an individual decision, will be taken into account, but also family connections will be taken into account, can be considered the task of adapting informed consent to the work of biobanks.

Climate change impacts on child and adolescent health and well-being: A narrative review.

Worldwide, the climate is changing and affecting the health and well-being of children in many ways. In this review, we provided an overview of how climate change-related events may affect child and adolescent health and well-being, including children's mental and physical health, nutrition, safety and security, learning opportunities, and family caregiving and connectedness. In this narrative review, we highlighted and discussed peer-reviewed evidence from 2012-23, primarily from meta-analyses and systematic reviews. The search strategy used a large and varied number of search terms across three academic databases to identify relevant literature. There was consistent evidence across systematic reviews of impact on four themes. Climate-related events are associated with a) increases in posttraumatic stress and other mental health disorders in children and adolescents, b) increases in asthma, respiratory illnesses, diarrheal diseases and vector-borne diseases, c) increases in malnutrition and reduced growth and d) disruptions to responsive caregiving and family functioning, which can be linked to poor caregiver mental health, stress and loss of resources. Evidence of violence against children in climate-related disaster contexts is inconclusive. There is a lack of systematic review evidence on the associations between climate change and children's learning outcomes. Systematic review evidence consistently points to negative associations between climate change and children's physical and mental health, well-being, and family functioning. Yet, much remains unknown about the causal pathways linking climate-change-related events and mental and physical health, responsive relationships and connectedness, nutrition, and learning in children and adolescents. This evidence is urgently needed so that adverse health and other impacts from climate change can be prevented or minimised through well-timed and appropriate action.

Long-term care staffs’ experience in facilitating the use of videoconferencing by cognitively impaired long-term care residents during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous long-term care (LTC) homes faced restrictions that prevented face-to-face visits. To address this challenge and maintain family connections, many LTC homes facilitated the use of electronic tablets to connect residents with their family caregivers. Our study sought to explore the acceptability of this practice among staff members and managers, focusing on their experiences with facilitating videoconferencing.MethodsA convergent mixed method research was performed. Qualitative and quantitative data collection through semi-structured interviews to assess the acceptability of videoconferencing in long-term care homes and to explore the characteristics of these settings. Quantitative data on the acceptability of the intervention were collected using a questionnaire developed as part of the project. The study included a convenience sample of 17 staff members and four managers.ResultsManagers described LTC homes’ characteristics, and the way videoconferencing was implemented within their institutions. Affective attitude, burden, ethicality, opportunity costs, perceived effectiveness, and self-efficacy are reported as per the constructs of the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. The results suggest a favorable acceptability and a positive attitude of managers and staff members toward the use of videoconferencing in long-term care to preserve and promote contact between residents and their family caregivers. However, participants reported some challenges related to the burden and the costs regarding the invested time and staff shortage.ConclusionsLTC home staff reported a clear understanding of the acceptability and challenges regarding the facilitation of videoconferencing by residents to preserve their contact with family caregivers.

Telemental Health Assessment and Implications for Intimate Partner Violence in Rural Settings.

Violence and abuse in rural America are exacerbated by limited access to support services for victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) due to family connections with people in positions of authority, geographic isolation, transportation barriers, stigma of abuse, lack of available shelters and affordable housing, poverty as a barrier to care, and other challenges. Victims of abuse who live in small communities may be well-acquainted with local health care providers and often voter-elected law enforcement officers. Individuals may fear being seen walking into a mental health clinic, with subsequent (and reality-based) fear that deter them from seeking help. Thus, advances in technology are becoming a much-needed option. Although telehealth has been used for some time in rural health settings, only in more recent years has there been an increase toward quality trauma-informed care. With increasing focus on the impact of social determinants of health, agencies continue to shift to telehealth to provide virtual support. Specifically, telehealth visits can potentially extend the reach of the limited number of primary care and mental health providers to those who are significantly in need of services. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 62(10), 25-30.].

Navigating the Legal Landscape: LGBTQ+ Rights in Family Law

Family regulation assumes an urgent part in characterizing the freedoms as well as certain limitations of people inside familial connections. With changing cultural mentalities and legitimate changes, the acknowledgement of LGBTQ+ privileges inside family regulation has been a subject of developing significance. This article investigates the advancing legitimate scene of LGBTQ+ freedoms in family regulation, including issues connected with reception, marriage fairness, and youngster guardianship. In the steadily advancing embroidered artwork of current culture, the convergences of regulation and basic liberties ceaselessly shape the elements of familial connections. One of the most extraordinary and extensive developments in this domain is the quest for LGBTQ+ privileges inside family regulation. As people embrace their different characters and love has no limits, the lawful scene should adjust to mirror these changing accepted practices and guarantee impartial treatment for all. This article sets out on an excursion through the moving shapes of LGBTQ+ privileges inside family regulation, looking at the significant effects on issues going from reception and marriage balance to kid guardianship and nurturing freedoms. In doing so, we enlighten the way ahead in the continuous quest for equity, uniformity, and acknowledgement for LGBTQ+ people and families inside the core of our overall sets of laws.

Evaluating the implementation of family-centered substance use treatment for pregnant and postpartum people: A mixed-methods study

IntroductionFamily-centered substance use treatment (FCSUT) approaches for pregnant and postpartum people have the potential to prevent intergenerational transmission of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Guided by two theoretical frameworks drawn from implementation science (the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research [CFIR] and the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance [RE-AIM] framework), this study used a mixed methods approach to answer: (1) What is the extent to which FCSUT approaches are offered for pregnant and postpartum people seeking substance use disorder (SUD) treatment? and (2) How are FCSUT approaches for pregnant and postpartum people implemented? MethodsThis study utilized a sequential mixed methods design that began with quantitative data collection followed by qualitative data collection. The quantitative component consisted of service provision surveys of facilities that provided FCSUT to pregnant and postpartum people (n = 118). The qualitative component consisted of semi-structured in-depth interviews with administrators and providers working at FCSUT facilities (n = 26) and pregnant and postpartum people who were currently receiving or had previously received services in the last two years from FCSUT facilities (n = 27). The qualitative findings were used to deepen understanding of the quantitative findings. ResultsFindings from the quantitative survey of treatment facilities' FCSUT provision revealed that while most facilities offered services related to substance use treatment, behavioral health, and parenting skills development or parent training, a smaller proportion offered services related to prenatal and postpartum health, sexual and reproductive health, and family-related services. Qualitative in-depth interviews with program administrators and providers and pregnant and postpartum people who had participated in FCSUT programs revealed major themes around expanding reach of facilities by maintaining participants' familial connections, resources for implementation and maintenance of FCSUT, the importance of program adaptation, and gaps in service delivery. ConclusionsResults indicated there is a wide range of FCSUT services offered at treatment facilities across the United States. Furthermore, while many pregnant and postpartum people expressed positive experiences with FCSUT, there are some areas that should be considered for future progress to be made.

Reimagining home and responsibility: The case of queer Indonesian Muslims

This article investigates the lived experiences of queer Indonesian Muslims by revealing how the intertwined concepts of tanggung jawab (responsibility) and home are navigated within the boundaries of national values, religious faith, and non-normative genders and sexualities. Through ethnographic research across Java, Indonesia, the analysis illustrates how tanggung jawab is enmeshed with societal and religious expectations that redefine the notion of home for queer Muslims. Home, in this context, transcends its meaning as a physical geography to represent an emotional and spiritual haven where family, faith, and queer identities intersect. The article further explores the relevance of biological and traditional family connections, presenting a contrast to the Western focus on queer chosen families. By exploring the symbiotic relationship between responsibility and home, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of queer Muslim subjectivities, exploring their unique strategies for forging identities and spaces of belonging within Indonesia’s heteronormative societal framework.

Intergenerational connections: Skipped generation family contact during the COVID‐19 pandemic

AbstractThis study investigates the association between the perceived impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on skipped generation familial connections and subjective well‐being among grandchildren and grandparents across the United States. Guided by Walsh's family resilience model, this convergent mixed methods study drew on the survey responses of unrelated adolescent and young adult grandchildren (n = 66) and grandparents (n = 40). Correlational analyses revealed a significant association between perceived impact of COVID‐19 on one's skipped generation family relationships and subjective well‐being for grandchildren but not grandparents. The qualitative results demonstrate both a breakdown and build‐up of processes essential for family resilience: communication, organization, and belief systems. Together, these findings demonstrate the effects of COVID‐19 on skipped generation family relationships are complex, with ties between family members in younger and older generations being simultaneously strengthened and eroded. This study builds on our understanding of intergenerational familial contact when physical separation is present, allowing for more informed decisions as the effects of COVID‐19 on individuals, family systems, and relationships between family members—as well as geographic separation between generations more broadly—continue to evolve.

Anomalies of the Mesenchyme (Meninges and Skull)—Defects of Neural Tube Closure: Cephalocele and Other Calvarial and Skull Base Defects; Intracranial Lipomas; Arachnoid Cysts; Nonsyndromic and Syndromic Craniosynostoses

AbstractWithin the embryonic head, a layer of mesenchyme envelops the brain beneath the surface ectoderm. This cranial mesenchyme is responsible for the formation of the meninges, the calvaria (upper portion of the skull), and the scalp's dermis. Irregular development of these structures, particularly the meninges and the calvaria, is associated with notable congenital defects in humans, such as defects in neural tube closure. Anencephaly is the most common neural tube defect (NTD) and one of the most severe malformations of the central nervous system; it consists in the complete or partial absence of the brain, associated with the absence of the bones of the cranial vault. Iniencephaly is an uncommon congenital NTD characterized by abnormalities in the occipital region, including rachischisis of the cervicothoracic spine and a fixed retroflexion deformity of the head. Unlike anencephaly, in iniencephaly, there is a skull cavity and a normal-looking skin that entirely covers the head and the medullary retroflex area. Cephaloceles are congenital abnormalities distinguished by the protrusion of meninges and/or brain tissue through a naturally occurring defect in the skull bone. This anomaly is typically covered by skin or mucous membrane. Intracranial lipoma is a relatively uncommon and generally benign tumor that occurs in an abnormal location within the brain; it probably represents a disturbance of the differentiation of the primordial meninges: for unknown causes, the meningeal mesenchyme can differentiate into adipose tissue. Arachnoid cysts are sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) situated between the brain or spinal cord and the arachnoid membrane. Typically, these cysts originate within CSF cisterns and gradually expand their boundaries. Craniosynostosis is the early fusion of one or more cranial sutures. It can occur spontaneously, be associated with a syndrome, or have a familial connection. It can involve one or multiple cranial sutures. Pfeiffer's, Crouzon's, and Apert's syndromes are among the more prevalent syndromic craniosynostoses.

A constructivist grounded theory of Queer and Muslim identity integration in college

The constructivist grounded theory (CGT) explored how queer Muslim college students integrate their religious and sexual identities. By using intensive interviews concurrent with an iterative analytical scheme, the study identified a cycle of identity integration. Findings suggest that queer Muslim college students navigated identity gatekeepers by redefining religious truths and reflecting on their beliefs. They contextualized themselves within their communities as they preserved their familial connections and cultural congruity. Queer Muslims also disrupted taken-for-granted notions of authenticity through a process of selective outness and differentiated religion from culture and belief to process cultural attitudes and construct a more cohesive and integrated identity as both queer and Muslims. The CGT sheds light on the complexity of the Muslim identity and troubles religious structures by highlighting collectivist paradigms, nuancing self-authorship, and complicating the nexus between religion and culture.

Significance of Dysthymia Symptoms in Colleen Hoover’s Regretting You

Colleen Hoover's novel entitled Regretting You was first published in 2019. The novel reflects the intricate layers of human relationships of self-discovery, forgiveness, and lifelong family connections. Morgan and her teenage daughter, Clara, is dealing with the tragic deaths of Morgan's husband and Clara's father. As they deal with their grief and try to rebuild their lives, secrets and misunderstandings emerge, straining their relationship and causing them to experience dysthymia. Dysthymia is a lifelong form of depression, according to Michael E. Thase and Susan S. Lang. Then, how the symptoms of dysthymia depicted by Morgan and Clara in Colleen Hoover’s Regretting You? Employing a qualitative research approach, the researchers explore the symptoms of dysthymia, including changes in feeling, thinking, and behavior. Morgan and Clara's dysthymia evolves as they navigate the conflicts in the story, mainly due to the grief resulting from their loss. As a result, their mental and emotional health suffers greatly. This leads to the conclusion that their dysthymia exacerbates the tension in their mother-daughter relationship, making it difficult for them to communicate effectively and solve problems, all due to their enduring mild depression.

The Sons of Esau and Lot: Reevaluating National States in Deuteronomy 2

Abstract In an attempt to trace the tradition of nationalism back to ancient Israel, public intellectual Yarom Hazony reads Deuteronomy 2 as a representation of ancient values of land-bounded autonomy and cultural homogeny. However, he overlooks two key aspects of the passage: 1) the familial and theological reasoning behind the divine protection of the other peoples, and 2) the messy aetiologies of how those peoples came to inhabit their lands. God calls the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites “brothers” and “sons of Esau” or “Lot,” suggesting that the prohibition against invasion is not based on respect for sovereignty but instead mythological family and relative social connection. Thus, using postcolonial theories of group identity from Gayatri Spivak, this article argues that Deut 2 does not represent an ancient (pre)conception of the nation-state but rather a (re)negotiation of group relations and social identities in connection to co-habitation of the Levant.

Experiences and impacts of out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure on remote Aboriginal families.

Aboriginal Australians face significant health disparities, with hospitalisation rates 2.3 times greater, and longer hospital length of stay, than non-Indigenous Australians. This additional burden impacts families further through out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure (OOPHE), which includes additional healthcare expenses not covered by universal taxpayer insurance. Aboriginal patients traveling from remote locations are likely to be impacted further by OOPHE. The objective of this study was to examine the impacts and burden of OOPHE for rurally based Aboriginal individuals. Participants were recruited through South Australian community networks to participate in this study. Decolonising methods of yarning and deep listening were used to centralise local narratives and language of OOPHE. Qualitative analysis software was used to thematically code transcripts and organise data. A total of seven yarning sessions were conducted with 10 participants. Seven themes were identified: travel, barriers to health care, personal and social loss, restricted autonomy, financial strain, support initiatives and protective factors. Sleeping rough, selling assets and not attending appointments were used to mitigate or avoid OOPHE. Government initiatives, such as the patient assistance transport scheme, did little to decrease OOPHE burden on participants. Family connections, Indigenous knowledges and engagement with cultural practices were protective against OOPHE burden. Aboriginal families are significantly burdened by OOPHE when needing to travel for health care. Radical change of government initiative and policies through to health professional awareness is needed to ensure equitable healthcare access that does not create additional financial hardship in communities already experiencing economic disadvantage.

The Companion: A Hospital Autoethnography on the Relationship Between Informal and Formal Institutions

The article is an analytical autoethnography that explores the author’s experience of navigating the Turkish healthcare system while caring for his father who underwent emergency bypass surgery. Their atypical positions, at once members of a privileged group but lacking extensive familial connections, helped bring to light the diverse range of tactics that patients use to navigate the hospital, despite reforms that tried to establish greater universalism. By highlighting the relationship between formal institutions and informal practices in the healthcare system and how they survive to include/exclude different status groups, the author’s micro-level observations and background in political sociology help reveal the complex impact that non-universalistic practices have on democratization and political change in Turkey and beyond.