Childhood Family Environment Research Articles

Psychosocial correlates in treatment seeking gamblers: Differences in early age onset gamblers vs later age onset gamblers

BackgroundAge of onset is an important factor in the development and trajectory of psychiatric disorders; however, little is known regarding the age of onset in relation to disordered gambling in treatment seeking samples in the UK. Utilising a large residential treatment seeking gambler cohort, the current study examined the relationship between age of gambling onset and a range of variables thought to be associated with disordered gambling. MethodData were collected from 768 gamblers attending residential treatment for disordered gambling. Individuals were grouped per the age they started gambling as either a child (≤12), adolescent (13–15), or young adult/adult (≤16). Data were analysed using linear, backward stepwise, and multinomial logistic regressions to identify significant relationships between age of onset and variables of theoretical significance. ResultsResults indicate the younger age of gambling onset was associated with increased gambling severity. Those who began gambling at an earlier age were more likely to have abused drugs or solvents, committed an unreported crime, been verbally aggressive and experienced violent outbursts. They are less likely to report a positive childhood family environment and are more likely to have had a parent with gambling and/or alcohol problems. DiscussionGamblers who began gambling at an earlier age experience negative life events and exhibit some antisocial behaviors more than later onset gamblers, indicating that when addressing gambling behavior, it is important to consider the developmental trajectory of the disorder, rather than merely addressing current gambling behavior. However, the direction of the relationship between gambling and significant variables is in some instance unclear, indicating a need for further research to define causality.

The Persistence of Poverty and Residential Father Absence in Low Birthweight Children's Family Environments Trajectories: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study of American Children

Background: Low birthweight infants are more often born to poor and single mothers. We examined if such disparities in poverty and residential father absence persisted throughout the first five years of life. Methods: Four waves of data from The Fragile Families Child and Wellbeing Study linked to individual medical records were analysed for 2638 children born to unmarried mothers. Sequence analysis of poverty and residential father absence was used to characterize childhood family environment trajectories (FETs). In addition to describing the types of FETs that these children experienced, we used multinomial logistic regression to predict FET by low birthweight adjusting for maternal education, race, and age. Findings: We find that that low birthweight children continue to suffer disproportional levels of poverty and residential father absence relative to their non-low birthweight peers thought-out their childhood years. Low birthweight children had an elevated risk of growing up in a family environment characterized by poverty and cohabiting motherhood (relative risk ratio 2·12, 95% CI 1·23-3·66), or in a family environment typified by poverty and residential father absence (1·60, 1·07-2·59). Interpretation: The persistence of poverty and residential father absence that low birthweight children experience is striking, even when considering a subpopulation of high-risk children in isolation and adjusting for socio-demographic confounders. Understanding and addressing the consequences of these childhood disparities at the family environment level is paramount in reducing long-term health risks for vulnerable low birthweight children. Funding Statement: This study was in part supported by the Carlsberg Foundation, grant number 2013_01_0817. Lisbeth Loft is currently supported by the European Research Council, grant number 707099. Declaration of Interests: Lisbeth Loft has nothing to disclose Ethics Approval Statement: This study was conducted with approval by University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Social Sciences (j.nr.: 514-0070/19-2000). The data used in this study had been stripped of all identifying information and of any potential links back to identifiers before the author was granted access. For this reason, this study was considered exempt.

Internalising and externalising behaviour profiles across childhood: The consequences of changes in the family environment

Internalising and externalising behaviours may have heterogeneous patterns across childhood. Different aspects of young children's proximal family environments may influence these behavioural profiles. Previous studies have used indicators of family instability at one point in time or collapsed several indicators into an index. We assess whether patterns in internalising and externalising behaviours across childhood are in part determined by changes and events in multiple domains of the family environment across early childhood. Using Millennium Cohort Study data and Latent Profile Analysis, we created longitudinal latent profiles for internalising and externalising behaviour using child behaviour scores at ages 3, 5, 7, and 11. Time-varying markers of children's environments from ages 3–11 years included: poverty, family structure, number of siblings, residential moves, maternal depression, and hospital admissions. We derived five internalising profiles and two externalising profiles. Transitions into and out of poverty (ORs range: 1.9–3.3), changes in maternal depression (ORs range: 2.3–7.8), and persistent experiences of poverty and maternal depression had the strongest and most consistent associations with children's behaviours at all ages; early childhood experiences of maternal depression and poverty had independent longitudinal associations with children's behaviours; and residential moves were only related to externalising behaviours. This study emphasises the importance of investigating interrelated features of a child's proximal family environment alongside examining patterns in children's behaviour across childhood. To best support children and their families, policy solutions should focus on alleviating family poverty and depression and consider the holistic nature of a child's family environment.

Risk in childhood family environments and loneliness in college students: Implications for health

Objective: To investigate associations between risk in family environments and health-relevant outcomes in college and the role of loneliness. Participants: College students at a state university (N = 360). Methods: We utilized linear regression to examine relationships between risk in family environments and loneliness, perceived stress, affect, and self-rated health. We tested for indirect effects of risk in family environments on outcomes through loneliness Results: Analyses showed that risk in family environments associated with loneliness (β = 0.12 t[358] = 2.22, p = .03, R2 change = .02), perceived social stress (β = 0.20, t[357] = 3.88, p < 0.001, R2 change = .04), negative and positive affect (β = 2.44, t[357] = 3.95, p < .001, R2 change = .04), and (β = –0.18 t[357]= –3.44, p = .001, R2 change = .03 respectively), and self-rated health (β = 0.19, t[359] = 4.57, p < .001, R2 change = .10). Significant indirect effects were observed for risk in early family on all outcomes through loneliness. Conclusion: These findings provide initial evidence that risk in childhood family environments may negatively affect health by increasing loneliness in college students.

Home and Family Environment Related to Development of Obesity: A 21-Year Longitudinal Study.

Early-life conditions are important for the development of obesity. We hypothesized that home and family characteristics reflective of less supportive environments during childhood will be associated with higher adult BMI and faster BMI growth between ages 5 and 21 years. We also examined the timing and acceleration of BMI increase by adult weight status (normal weight, overweight, obese, and extremely obese) to discern how BMI increase differs across group and across time. BMI was assessed in 1000 Chilean youth (52% female) at ages 5, 10, 15, and 21 years. Latent growth curve analysis modeled BMI trajectories from 5 to 21 years. Observer and maternal ratings assessed children's home and family environments and parenting at 1 and 10 years. The four weight groups differed in acceleration of BMI increase starting at age 5, with bigger children getting bigger faster. Higher 21-year BMI related to family stress, father absence, maternal depression, frequent child confinement (in playpen), an unclean home environment at 1 year, and low provision for active stimulation and few stimulating experiences at 10 years. Accelerated BMI increase related to lower learning stimulation in the home at 1 year and less parental warmth and acceptance at child age 10. Home and family characteristics that reflect an absence of support for children's development were associated with overweight/obesity in young adulthood and accelerated BMI growth. Findings identify several home and family characteristics that can serve as preventive or intervention targets.

MALTRATO INFANTIL EN ESCOLARES DE QUINTO Y SEXTO GRADO

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; El maltrato infantil se define como los abusos y la desatención de que son objeto los menores de 18 años, e incluye todos los tipos de maltrato físico o psicológico. Objetivo: Describir los tipos de maltrato en el ambiente escolar y familiar de los niños de quinto y sexto grado. Metodología: Estudio mixto con diseño transeccional narrativo, realizado en la escuela Guillermo Prieto Vélez de la Comunidad de Los Pinos, San Pedro Sula, en el período de febrero a marzo del 2014. El universo/muestra fue de 54 escolares de quinto y sexto grado y 25 padres de familia que se encontraban en sus casas al momento de recolectar la información. La técnica de recolección de datos fue mediante encuesta para las variables cuantitativas y entrevista para la información cualitativa. Resultados: En cuanto el maltrato intrafamiliar por negligencia, 14 niños (25.9%) no desayunan antes de ir a la escuela, y 20 (37%) no consumen merienda. 45 (83%) de los niños no consumen la cantidad de agua adecuada diariamente, 11 niños (20%) no reciben de sus padres el tiempo necesa- rio. Se encontró que 23 (42.6%) de los niños recibían maltrato de sus compañeros; golpes (43.5%), apodos (21.5%). Los escolares, narraron que son castigados por sus madres, abuela y padrastro, mediante faja, regaños, manotazos y otros; los padres refirieron que los castiga con faja y regaños. Conclusión: Se encontró que la mayoría de niños reciben maltrato intrafamiliar y escolar, siendo más común de tipo físico y emocional.&#x0D; Palabras clave&#x0D; Acoso escolar, Familia, Maltrato a los niños&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

The influence of the family environment on adaptive functioning in the classroom: A longitudinal study of children with developmental disabilities

BackgroundNo study has examined trajectories of school-based adaptive functioning (AF) for children with developmental disabilities (DD). This is a critical gap in the literature, since AF is context dependent, and high levels of AF at school facilitate meaningful participation at school. AimsThis study examined trajectories of school-based AF for 170 children with DD from age 3 to 15 years, and indicators of the early childhood home and family environment as predictors of these trajectories. MethodsMultilevel modeling was used to explore trajectories of school-based AF and identify early childhood home and family predictors of these trajectories. ResultsChildren’s school-based AF raw scores increased over time. There was significant variability in initial status and rate of change of AF. As hypothesized, higher quality mother-child interaction predicted more positive functioning. ConclusionsFindings indicate the influence of the early childhood home and family environment on school-based AF over time.

P.2.17 Low cholesterol levels and inferior family environment in children predict impulsivity in young adulthood

P.2.17 Low cholesterol levels and inferior family environment in children predict impulsivity in young adulthood

The Role of Family: Understanding the Childhood and Current Family Environment of Early Care and Education Teachers

The Role of Family: Understanding the Childhood and Current Family Environment of Early Care and Education Teachers Tracey M. Barnett PhD, LMSW, Natasha Thorne, D. Crystal Coles PhD, LICSW, Taren Swindle, PhD Abstract Through qualitative inquiry and application of family systems theoretical perspective, this study sought to explore the experiences of Early Care and Education Teachers (ECET) and what role their family environment (childhood and current family) had in them choosing their career and how communication and family connections during mealtimes made an impact. Three overarching themes and dimensions captured the experiences of Early Care and Education Teachers (ECETs) and what role their family environment (childhood and current family) had in their career choice, and how communication and family connections during mealtimes made an impact. While family environment is certainly not the only consideration when choosing a career or staying on a career path, it is arguably one of the biggest. Through critical analysis and application of theoretical perspectives, broader understanding was brought to the experiences and family environments of ECETs and the initial influence these factors played in their career selection. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jehd.v8n4a2

The Role of Family: Understanding the Childhood and Current Family Environment of Early Care and Education Teachers

The Role of Family: Understanding the Childhood and Current Family Environment of Early Care and Education Teachers

Associations between children's family environment, spontaneous brain oscillations, and emotional and behavioral problems.

The family environment in childhood has a strong effect on mental health outcomes throughout life. This effect is thought to depend at least in part on modifications of neurodevelopment trajectories. In this exploratory study, we sought to investigate whether a feasible resting-state fMRI metric of local spontaneous oscillatory neural activity, the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), is associated with the levels of children's family coherence and conflict. Moreover, we sought to further explore whether spontaneous activity in the brain areas influenced by family environment would also be associated with a mental health outcome, namely the incidence of behavioral and emotional problems. Resting-state fMRI data from 655 children and adolescents (6-15years old) were examined. The quality of the family environment was found to be positively correlated with fALFF in the left temporal pole and negatively correlated with fALFF in the right orbitofrontal cortex. Remarkably, increased fALFF in the temporal pole was associated with a lower incidence of behavioral and emotional problems, whereas increased fALFF in the orbitofrontal cortex was correlated with a higher incidence.

Environmental bottlenecks in children’s genetic potential for adult socio-economic attainments: Evidence from a health shock

This paper explores gene–environment interactions—interactions between family environments and children’s genetic predispositions—in determining educational attainment. The central question is whether poor childhood family environments reduce children’s ability to leverage their genetic gifts to achieve high levels of educational attainment—are there important ‘bottlenecks’ for poor children? The multigenerational information and genetic data contained in the United States’ Health and Retirement Study are used to separate two mechanisms for intergenerational transmission of socio-economic status: genetic endowments and family environments. Using parental in utero exposure to the 1918–19 influenza pandemic as a source of quasi-experimental variation in family environments (that did not affect children’s genetic endowments), I estimate interactions between parental investments and children’s genetic potential. The main finding suggests that girls with high genetic potential whose fathers were exposed to influenza face reduced educational attainments—a gene–environment interaction—but there is no similar effect for boys.

Development and predictors of mental ill-health and wellbeing from childhood to adolescence.

The aim is to investigate the (1) longitudinal development in mental ill-health and wellbeing from ages 11 to 14, (2) predictors of changes in mental health outcomes, and (3) sex and reporter differences. Data are taken from 9553 participants in the Millennium Cohort Study, with both mental ill-health (parent- and self-report) and wellbeing outcomes of the cohort members measured at ages 11 and 14. A range of childhood socio-demographic, human capital, family and wider environment risk and protective factors are investigated. Wellbeing has weak stability and mental ill-health has moderate stability between ages 11 and 14 and large sex differences emerge in all the mental health outcomes investigated, with girls experiencing lower wellbeing and greater symptoms of mental illness at age 14. Raw associations between outcomes, and differences in their predictors, indicate varying patterns emerging for parent- and self-reported mental ill-health, with parent-reported symptoms in childhood a poor predictor of both self-reported wellbeing and depressive symptoms in adolescence. Investigating the emergent sex differences in prevalences highlights childhood risk and protective factors at this age that are more salient in females, including family income, school connectedness, cognitive ability, whereas peer relationships and bullying were equally relevant for mental health development in both males and females. Low-moderate stability of mental health outcomes stresses the importance of the transition period for mental health, highlighting an intervention window at these ages for prevention. Socio-economic status is associated with mental health development in females but not in males at this age, highlighting a sex-specific vulnerability of deprivation associated with poorer mental health in adolescent females.

Effect of family environment in childhood and adolescence on mental health in adulthood

Objective: To explore the relationship of family environment in childhood and adolescence and mental health in adulthood. Methods: A total of 791 subjects aged ≥25 years were selected through the Chinese National Twin Registry (CNTR). The short-form of Family Environment Scale-Chinese Version (FES-CV) was used to evaluate the family environment during childhood and adolescence in three dimensions: relationship, system maintenance and personal growth. The mental health status in adulthood was assessed with the Chinese version of 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6). The generalized linear mixed model was used to examine their relationship. Results: About 4.6% of the subjects reported general or worse mental health status. Compared with the subjects with good mental status, statistical difference was observed only in parenting way among twins (living together or not). After adjusting the potential confounders, such as age, sex, zygosity, education and lifestyle (smoking, drinking and physical activity), good family relationship and system maintenance had a positive effect on mental health, with the OR (95%CI) of 0.66 (0.51-0.87) and 0.70 (0.50-0.98) respectively. Furthermore, parenting way did not modify the effect of family environment on mental health status in adulthood (interaction: P>0.05). In each scale, scores of cohesion and organization were positively correlated with mental health, while the score of conflict was negatively correlated with the mental health. Conclusion: Good family relationship and system maintenance in childhood and adolescence had a positive impact on mental health in adulthood.

The family environment in early childhood has a long-term effect on self-esteem: A longitudinal study from birth to age 27 years.

A better understanding is needed of the factors that shape the development of individual differences in self-esteem. Using a prospective longitudinal design, this research tested whether the family environment in early childhood predicts self-esteem in later developmental periods. Data came from a nationally representative U.S. sample of 8,711 participants, who reported on their self-esteem biannually from age 8 to 27 years. Moreover, during the participants' first 6 years of life, biannual assessments of their mothers provided information on the quality of the home environment (covering quality of parenting, cognitive stimulation, and physical home environment), quality of parental relationship, presence of father, maternal depression, and poverty status of the family. The analyses were conducted using nonlinear regression analyses of age-dependent correlation coefficients, which were controlled for the effects of child gender and ethnicity. The results suggested that the family environment in early childhood significantly predicted self-esteem as the children grew up. Although the effects became smaller with age, the effects were still present during young adulthood. The largest effects emerged for quality of home environment. Moreover, the results suggested that the effects of home environment, presence of father, and poverty are enduring, as indicated by a nonzero asymptote in the time course of effects from age 8 to 27 years. Finally, quality of home environment partially accounted for the effects of the other predictors. The findings suggest that the home environment is a key factor in early childhood that influences the long-term development of self-esteem. (PsycINFO Database Record

Childhood socioeconomic status and risk in early family environments: predictors of global sleep quality in college students

ObjectiveLow socioeconomic status (SES) in childhood associates with poor sleep quality in adulthood. Separately, childhood family environments shape health into adulthood. Here, we investigated whether these early life factors independently or interactively inform global sleep quality in college students. DesignCross-sectional. ParticipantsCollege students at a state university (N = 391). MeasurementsAs a measure of childhood SES, we asked participants to consider their families’ socioeconomic standing relative to the rest of the society during their childhood. We used the Risky Family questionnaire to measure adversity and the presence of warmth and affection in the family environment during childhood, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index as a measure of current global sleep quality. We used linear regressions adjusting for age and sex to examine relationships between childhood SES, risk in childhood family environments, and global sleep quality. ResultsLower childhood SES and greater risk in childhood family environments independently predicted poor sleep quality. Importantly, in low-risk family environments, there was no significant difference in sleep quality as a function of childhood SES. However, students who were from low childhood SES backgrounds who also reported high levels of risk in their early family environments had the worst sleep quality. ConclusionsFindings highlight the importance of considering socioeconomic and family environments in childhood as informants of sleep quality across the lifespan. Compromised sleep quality in college students could affect academic performance and health over time.

Families as Partners

Child development occurs within the context of the child's family, neighborhood, and community environment. Early childhood providers support positive outcomes, not only for the children with whom they directly work with but also for their families. Families of children with developmental delays often experience unique challenges. A family resiliency framework addresses how families confronting these challenges can experience positive outcomes. Family resiliency is strengthened by protective factors, which augment outcomes for the child and the family. A family resiliency framework is described and protective factors known to strengthen family resiliency are discussed. Strategies for enhancing family protective factors through early intervention and related services are presented.

Discussion on the Role of Family in Kindergarten Cur-riculum Reform

In order to explore the role of family in reform of kindergarten curriculum, first of all, the relationship between family and the kindergarten curriculum reform is discussed mainly from two aspects. On the one hand, the kindergarten provides help and support for parents because only when the overall quality of parents is improved can they create a good family environment for children. On the other hand, the kindergarten is assisted and supported by parents in that the cooperation between parents and the kindergarten is necessary. Thirdly, the practice of parents participating in kindergarten curriculum reform is discussed. Finally, for achieving a better kindergarten curriculum reform, some countermeasures are put forward. The results show that parents play an essential role in the kindergarten curriculum reform so that the participation of parents is necessary. To sum up, in order to promote the quality of kindergarten curriculum reform, the joint efforts of parents and teachers are needed.

Origins of Gender Norms: Sibling Gender Composition and Women's Choice of Occupation and Partner

I examine how one central aspect of the childhood family environment—sibling gender composition—affects women's gender conformity, measured through their choice of occupation and partner. Using Danish administrative data, I causally estimate the effect of having a second-born brother relative to a sister for first-born women. The results show that women with a brother acquire more traditional gender norms with negative consequences for their labor earnings. I provide evidence of increased gender-specialized parenting in families with mixed-sex children, suggesting a stronger transmission of traditional gender norms. Finally, I find indications of persistent effects to the next generation of girls.

Environmental Bottlenecks on Children's Genetic Potential for Adult Socioeconomic Attainments: Evidence from a Health Shock

This paper explores gene-environmental interactions between family environments and children’s genetic scores in determining educational attainment. The central question is whether poor childhood family environments reduce the ability for children to leverage their genetic gifts to achieve high levels of educational attainments. The multigenerational information and genetic data contained in the Health and Retirement Study is used to separate two mechanisms of intergenerational transmission of socioeconomic status – genetic endowments and family environments. Using parental in utero exposure to the 1918/1919 influenza pandemic as a source of quasi-experimental variation to family environments (but not affecting children’s genetic endowments), this paper estimates interactions between parental investments and children’s genetic potential. The main finding suggests that girls with high genetic potential whose fathers were exposed to influenza face reduced educational attainments – a gene-environment interaction – but there is no similar effect for boys.