Family Environment Research Articles

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS TO PREDICT READING LITERACY BASED ON PISA 2022 USING GRADIENT BOOSTED DECISION TREES AND EXTREME GRADIENT BOOSTING

Reading is a fundamental skill essential for interdisciplinary understanding and serves as a crucial indicator of the educational quality of a nation. PISA provides an international evaluation of students' reading literacy across various countries, including Indonesia. Numerous studies have utilized machine learning algorithms to predict reading literacy; however, achieving high model accuracy remains a significant challenge. This study compares the performance of Gradient Boosting Decision Trees (GBDT) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), two widely recognized machine learning algorithms for predicting reading literacy, utilizing PISA 2022 data from 12.853 Indonesian students and 59 variables from the Student Questionnaire Data File. The GridSearchCV optimization method was employed to select the optimal parameters for each model to ensure the best performance on the test data. GBDT achieved R² of 0.5106, with optimal parameters (n_estimators = 150, learning_rate = 0.2, max_depth = 3, subsample = 0.9). XGBoost reached a higher R² of 0.5247, with parameters (n_estimators = 1000, learning_rate = 0.01, max_depth = 7, colsample_bytree = 0.3, min_child_weight = 20, gamma = 1, alpha = 0), indicating XGBoost's superior performance in predicting reading literacy. Further analysis revealed that the most significant variables in the GBDT model included students' access to technology at home, extracurricular creative activities, socioeconomic status, school involvement in sustainable development, and problem-solving skills. In contrast, significant variables in the XGBoost model included family support, socioeconomic status, school belongingness, family environment's effectiveness in fostering creativity, and student imagination. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers in education to understand the factors contributing to students' reading literacy and to design more targeted and effective interventions

The Impact of Family Parent-child Games and Attachment Relationships on Children's Social Adaptability

This paper explores the impact of family parent-child games (PCG) and attachment on children's social adaptability in depth. PCG, which include a variety of types, positively affect children's cognitive development, emotional development, social skills (SS) training, and adaptive behavior. Attachment are divided into secure, avoidant, and resistant types, among others. A secure attachment (SA) helps children establish a positive self-concept, promotes exploratory behavior, enhances cognitive development, regulates emotions, and develops SS, which are also crucial to children's adaptive behavior. PCG and attachment influence each other and jointly affect children's adaptability. A positive family environment (FE) is conducive to the development of both. Strategies to promote children's social adaptability include enhancing the quality and frequency of PCG, establishing secure attachment, and leveraging the collaborative effects of family, school, and society. In summary, family PCG and attachment significantly impact the development of children's social adaptability. Parents should value and cooperate with schools and society to create a favorable growth environment for children.

Family functionality as a mediator in the relationship between humanization and academic burnout in adolescents

IntroductionDuring adolescence, personal competencies serve as protective factors against social exclusion and are crucial for promoting psychological well-being and creating opportunities for growth. Family and educational systems play a pivotal role in supporting these competencies. This study aims to analyze the relationships between humanization competencies, academic burnout, and family functionality, to examine sex differences in these variables, and to explore the mediating effect of family functionality.MethodsThe sample comprised 1,092 secondary school students (584 females and 508 males) from Almería, Spain, aged 12 to 17 (M = 14.5 years).ResultsThe findings show that family functionality is positively associated with humanization competencies and academic efficacy, and negatively associated with emotional exhaustion and cynicism. Notable sex differences emerged, with males scoring higher in optimism, self-efficacy, and affect, while females scored higher in sociability and cynicism. Mediation analysis revealed that family functionality partially mediates the relationship between humanization competencies and academic burnout, specifically impacting cynicism, academic efficacy, and emotional exhaustion.DiscussionThese results highlight the critical role of a supportive family environment in enhancing adolescents’ psychological resilience and academic outcomes. The study suggests that interventions targeting family functionality could be effective in reducing academic burnout and promoting overall well-being among adolescents.

The Impact of Family of Origin on Romantic Relationships: A Psychological Perspective

This review examines the influence of diverse family of origin factors on adult romantic relationships, concentrating on critical elements such as attachment styles, communication patterns, conflict resolution, family cohesion, family structure, and self-differentiation and self-regulation formed by early family experiences. Existing research reveals that early family dynamics significantly affect individuals' behaviours, beliefs, and satisfaction in romantic relationships during adulthood. The paper consolidates empirical findings from multiple studies, accentuating the role of secure and insecure attachment styles in determining romantic relationship satisfaction. It also investigates how family functions, specifically communication patterns, conflict management, and family cohesion, influence relationship outcomes. Additionally, the review highlights the degrees of self-differentiation and self-regulation influence the quality of intimate relationships. Psychological frameworks including attachment theory, family systems theory, and social learning theory offer the primary perspectives for comprehending these influences. The review also recognises critical deficiencies in the literature, including the requirement for more longitudinal studies and cross-cultural social class and gender comparisons. Overall, Individuals who grow up in nurturing, positive family environments with good parent-child interactions tend to have higher quality and more satisfying romantic relationships in adulthood. Studying on the impact of family of origin on romantic relationships can assist society in resolving family emotional conflicts and fostering harmony, it can likewise enrich the theoretical framework of family and emotional-related research in the academic field.

Assessment of serum lipoprotein (a) and total cholesterol in children of CAD parents

: More and more Indians are falling prey to coronary artery (CAD) which is one of the genetic diseases attributed to numerous gene-environment interactions. There are various reasons for this including a sedentary lifestyle, genetic predisposition, pollution, smoking, drinking, a fatty diet and a general ignorance about what causes heart ailments. In India, 10% of the present infant mortality may be accounted for by CAD. This study was conducted to take appropriate measurements in the children of parents with diagnosed of CAD who are at high risk in relationship to serum Lp (a) and total cholesterol. Two groups 50 each of both sexes between 5-18 years children were compared for the risk factors of CAD and data was analysed statistically by using student’s t test and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis. : It shows that Group A had increased values of serum Lp (a) and total cholesterol (p<0.001) than Group B. Diastolic BP values were also significantly higher in Group A children. In addition, Lp (a) level was directly corelated with total cholesterol levels (r=0.734; p<0.001). : The familial environment pay a very important role for the severity of CAD in childhood and children of CAD parents should be screened regularly. It also serves as an important diagnostic marker of CAD in youth at early stage.

Understanding and measuring workplace violence in healthcare: a Canadian systematic framework to address a global healthcare phenomenon

BackgroundGlobally, healthcare institutions have seen a marked rise in workplace violence (WPV), especially since the Covid-19 pandemic began, affecting primarily acute care and emergency departments (EDs). At the University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto, Canada, WPV incidents in EDs jumped 169% from 0.43 to 1.15 events per 1000 visits (p < 0.0001). In response, UHN launched a comprehensive, systems-based quality improvement (QI) project to ameliorate WPV. This study details the development of the project’s design and key takeaways, with a focus on presenting trauma-informed strategies for addressing WPV in healthcare through the lens of health systems innovation.MethodsOur multi-intervention QI initiative was guided by the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) 3.0 framework. We utilized the SEIPS 101 tools to aid in crafting each QI intervention. ResultsUsing the SEIPS 3.0 framework and SEIPS 101 tools, we gained a comprehensive understanding of organizational processes, patient experiences, and the needs of HCPs and patient-facing staff at UHN. This information allowed us to identify areas for improvement and develop a large-scale QI initiative comprising 12 distinct subprojects to address WPV at UHN. ConclusionsOur QI team successfully developed a comprehensive QI project tailored to our organization’s needs. To support healthcare institutions in addressing WPV, we created a 12-step framework designed to assist in developing a systemic QI approach tailored to their unique requirements. This framework offers actionable strategies for addressing WPV in healthcare settings, derived from the successes and challenges encountered during our QI project. By applying a systems-based approach that incorporates trauma-informed strategies and fosters a culture of mutual respect, institutions can develop strategies to minimize WPV and promote a safer work environment for patients, families, staff, and HCPs.

Early childhood stress and amygdala structure in children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be more susceptible to early life stress compared to their neurotypical peers. This increased susceptibility may be linked to regionally-specific changes in the striatum and amygdala, brain regions sensitive to stress and critical for shaping maladaptive behavioural responses. This study examined early life stress and its impact on striatal and amygdala development in 62 children and adolescents (35 males, mean age = 10.12 years, SD = 3.6) with ASD (n = 14), ADHD (n = 28), or typical development (TD, n = 20) across two cohorts. We assessed stress from various sources, including from the family environment, loss of loved ones, social stress, and illness/injury. We further examined parenting styles as potential moderators of the effects of early life stress. Volumes of the striatum and amygdala were extracted using an automatic segmentation algorithm. Significant group differences in childhood stress exposure were observed (F = 3.29, df = 8, p = 0.002), with autistic children facing more early life stressors (social stress, illness/injury) compared to those with ADHD and neurotypical peers (both, p < 0.002). In autistic children, amygdala volumes were significantly associated with early life stress related to the familial environment, experiences of significant loss, and illness/injury (all, p < 0.03). Positive parenting moderated these effects. These findings suggest that autistic children are more likely to experience early life stress and exhibit region-specific changes in the amygdala, a key brain region implicated in emotional processing and stress responses. This underscores the need for targeted interventions to support autistic children in managing early life stress to potentially mitigate its impact on brain development.

Bi-aspectual verbs in heritage Russian against the background of baseline language dynamics

Our study investigates language processing in mono- and multilingual settings, focusing on language dynamics in heritage Russian against the background of baseline Russian.In this context, we explore bi-aspectual verbs as an unstable part of Russian grammar. As verbs without morphologically marked expression of aspectual contrasts, bi-aspectual verbs represent a special case within Russian aspectual morphology and demonstrate significant variations in their monolingual use. Our study examines the use of bi-aspectual verbs in heritage Russian acquired as a home language in a multilingual environment in families with migrant background. In contrast to monolingual speakers, heritage speakers operate with polylingual variation, which can comprise single varieties within the same language or even two or more typologically different languages. These language variation mechanisms in heritage speakers represent notable specifics of their language use and the special dynamics of heritage Russian. Therefore, when comparing the use of a dynamic part of the language system, we aim to shed light on the analogous vs specific language processing in baseline and heritage Russian.Based on the elaborated production data, we test the use of ten bi-aspectual verbs in heritage speakers (N = 30) with high proficiency in Russian. The control group of the study was composed of monolingual Russian respondents (N = 30). By examining the use of bi-aspectual verbs in monolingual (baseline Russian) and bilingual (migrant heritage Russian) speakers, we focus on the question of the extent to which language dynamics in the core domains of the language system are either similar or dissimilar in heritage vs baseline language. In so doing, we further contribute to the discussion of the primary vs secondary role of the internal vs external mechanisms of language change.

Membantu Mengatasi Kecemasan pada Anak Usia Dini

Anxiety in early childhood is a complex issue that can significantly affect children's emotional, social, and academic development. This article aims to discuss the causes, effects, and management strategies for anxiety in children, based on a review of recent theories and research. The writing method employed includes a literature review referencing current studies and theories from experts in Indonesia. The discussion reveals that anxiety in children can be triggered by genetic factors, an unstable family environment, and traumatic experiences. Its impacts include disruptions in emotional development, limited social skills, and poor academic performance. To address these issues, this article recommends several strategies, including creating a safe environment, providing emotional education, implementing relaxation techniques, and encouraging open communication and engagement in social activities. With a comprehensive understanding and the application of appropriate strategies, it is hoped that children can overcome their anxiety and grow into healthier emotional and social individuals.

Family and Home Environment Predictors of Children's 24-Hour Movement Guideline Adherence: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: During summer, children may meet fewer 24 hours Movement Guidelines (24 hr-MGs) [moderate-vigorous physical activity (PA): ≥60 minutes/day, screen time: ≤2 hours/day, sleep: 9-11 hours/day) compared with the school year. Structured environments within community settings (e.g., summer programs) support guideline adherence. Information about the relationship between structured home environments and 24 hr-MGs is needed. This mixed-methods study examined which features of the family, home, and community environment supported children in meeting 24 hr-MGs during the school year and summer. Methods: Children's PA and sleep data were estimated from wrist-worn accelerometry, and screen time was assessed via parent-reported nightly surveys (14 days) at two time points [school year: (March-April) and summer (July-August) of 2021]. Parents completed a survey at each time point with 13 measures of the family (e.g., screen time rules), home (e.g., bed sharing), and community (e.g., summer program enrollment) environment. Multilevel mixed effect logistic regression estimated the odds of meeting 24 hr-MGs at each time point. Parents (n = 20) completed a qualitative interview and thematic analysis revealed parents perceived facilitators and barriers to guideline adherence. Results: Summer program enrollment and bedtime rules were associated with greater odds of meeting the PA [odds ratios (ORs): 4.9, 95% confidence intervals (CIs): (1.4, 17.1)] and ≥two 24 hr-MGs [OR: 2.2, 95 CI: (1.2, 4.0)] during summer, respectively. Parents perceived family rules/routines supported guideline adherence and lack of access to summer programs was a barrier. Conclusions: Structured environments at home and in the community can support children in meeting 24 hr-MGs guidelines. Interventions that expand access to summer programming and encourage implementation of structured home routines may support meeting multiple 24 hr-MGs during summer.

Dietary Beliefs and Their Association with Overweight and Obesity in the Spanish Child Population

Background/Objectives: Childhood obesity is a multifactorial chronic disease that represents one of the main preventable causes of morbidity and mortality. This study analyzes how nutritional beliefs influence eating habits and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Spanish children and adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 35 educational centers in 12 Spanish provinces, with a sample of 1131 children and adolescents aged 6 to 14 years. Anthropometric and sociodemographic data were collected, and dietary habits were assessed by means of questionnaires. Statistical analyses were used to identify associations between dietary beliefs and body mass index. Results: In total, 29.5% of participants were overweight or obese. Two groups of beliefs were identified: healthier beliefs and less healthy beliefs. Children with less healthy dietary beliefs had a significantly higher BMI (22.16 kg/m2) compared to those with healthier beliefs (17.2 kg/m2). False nutritional beliefs, influenced by advertising and the family environment, contribute to overweight and obesity. Discussion: Dietary beliefs play a crucial role in determining eating habits and, therefore, the health of children. Nutrition education and public policies that promote healthy eating habits are essential to prevent childhood obesity. It is important to involve the family, the school, and the media in these efforts. Conclusions: Despite efforts, many children continue to hold erroneous nutritional beliefs that contribute to the rise in overweight and obesity. This study highlights the importance of addressing dietary beliefs and promoting appropriate nutrition education to prevent childhood obesity. It is recommended to implement educational strategies and public policies that regulate the advertising of unhealthy foods and promote healthy eating habits.

The Influence of Learning Motivation on Learning Outcomes with Family Environment as a Moderating Variable

The Influence of Learning Motivation on Learning Outcomes with Family Environment as a Moderating Variable

A Systematic Review Exploring the Relationship Between Family Factors and Symptom Severity, Relapse and Social or Occupational Functioning in First-Episode Psychosis.

Research on family functioning in psychosis has typically focused on specific family-related factors and their impact on symptomatology, finding strong associations between high expressed emotion and poor outcomes, especially in those with long-term illness. The objective of this review is to examine the impact of a broad range of family-related factors and their relationship with clinical, social, occupational and relational outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP). A systematic search of databases PsycInfo, Pubmed, Embase and CINHAL between 1990 and August 2023 was completed. In total, 1408 articles were screened, and study quality was assessed using the JBI critical appraisal checklists for analytical cross-sectional studies and cohort studies. A narrative synthesis approach was used to analyse the data. Of the 1408 identified articles, 80 full-text articles were screened. Fifteen studies were included for data extraction. The objectives and scope of the selected studies varied considerably. Studies consisted of cross-sectional and prospective cohort designs. Participants consisted of FEP patients and family members, with the patient age range varying from 15.9 to 30.8 (MD = 24.5). Significant associations were identified between family factors (high EE, family environment and carer burden) and symptom and social outcomes. While findings emphasised the significant impact of family factors on symptomatic and social outcomes, the literature had significant limitations due to the absence of underlying theoretical models and understanding of the dynamics of distress in families within FEP. Future research should seek to develop a model accounting for such processes.

Childhood family adversities and recurrence of depression in adulthood: finds of three ELSA-Brasil visits.

To investigate the association between family adversities in childhood and depression in three follow-up visits of a cohort of Brazilian adults. A total of 12,636 participants from the Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil), who attended three interview/examination visits (2008-2010, 2012-2014, and 2017-2019), were included. Five family dysfunctions and the childhood family dysfunction score (0, 1, and 2+ dysfunctions) were used. The Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised-CIS-R assessed depression in 3 visits (no, 1, and 2 or 3) Multinomial logistic regression models estimated crude and adjusted Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Mean age was 59.6 years (SD=8.8), 7.4% presented depression in 1 visit and 2.2% in 2 or 3 visits. After adjustments, compared to the absence of family dysfunction the presence of mental disorder (OR: 3.91; 95%CI: 2.94-5.21), substance abuse (OR: 2.14; 95%CI: 1.65-2.77) and parental separation (OR: 1.55; 95%CI: 1.12-2.15) increased the odds of depression in 2 or 3 visits. Exposure to 2+ family dysfunctions increased the odds of depression in 1 and in 2 or 3 visits, with a dose-response gradient. Exposure to family dysfunction in childhood contributes to the occurrence and recurrence of depression in adults. Interventions to prevent dysfunctional family environments and their repercussions on children can reduce the burden of depression.

Challenges ahead: Exploring external barriers to self-determination in individuals with intellectual disabilities.

The extent to which individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) can exercise self-determination in their adult lives is largely influenced by various contextual factors, including their family environment, the institutions they interact with, and the legal and social conditions in which they function. In this study, we aimed to explore the lived experiences of people with ID in the context of the environmental challenges they face on the path to self-determination. To achieve this goal, we conducted an inclusive study involving co-researchers with ID. Thirty-three adults with mild to severe ID participated in focus groups or individual interviews. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we generated four superordinate themes: microsystemic factors that impact self-determination; Exosystemic factors that impact self-determination; macrosystemic factors that impact self-determination; and consequences. The implications for practice are discussed.

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 relationship between mothers with careers in higher education and child development in Indonesia.

To identify the association of mothers with a career in higher educati--on and their children's growth and development. This was an analytical study with a cross-sectional design carried out at Wiraraja University, Sumenep, Indonesia, from March to August 2023. The samples were female lecturers at Wiraraja University. A total of 107 mothers were selected using total sampling. The mother's career was identified using a questionnaire and their child's growth and development were measured using child development pre-screening questionnaire. This study used Spearman's test data analysis. The correlation coefficient was 0.512 indicating a moderately strong relationship between working mothers and their child's growth and development. The findings suggest that time mothers' work-life balance, time allocation, and other support for caring child significantly impact developmental milestones. There is a strong correlation between the time spent with children and the child's growth and development. For working mothers in academia, creating a supportive family or childcare environment and creating dedicated, quality time for interaction with their children are essential. Working mothers are encouraged to manage their time effectively to balance professional and parenting responsibilities and to engage in activities that enhance their children's physical, mental, and emotional development.

Literature Review on Children Outside Educational Opportunities: A Study of Children with Foreign Origin in Japan

Children of foreign origin in Japan face various hurdles in accessing educational opportunities, potentially limiting their strengths and abilities throughout their life course. With the aim of increasing the inclusion of children of foreign origin in Japanese formal education, this paper reviews the literature, focusing on early childhood education and care (ECEC) to identify what has been clarified in previous studies and what has not been sufficiently analyzed, to suggest future directions. Compared with the extensive studies conducted in the U.S., research on ECEC opportunities for children of foreign origin living in Japan is still in its nascent stage. To ensure access to ECEC for children of foreign origin in Japan, it is critical to examine the impact of ECEC on children of foreign origin in Japan and determine which types of ECEC are most effective. Also, there is a lack of comprehensive research on the specific nationalities, family environments, living conditions, cultural backgrounds, and attitudes of parents who do not utilize ECEC opportunities, and detailed research involving parents of children not enrolled in ECEC is necessary to understand the barriers and decision-making factors related to ECEC enrollment.

Socioeconomic support for victims of criminal offenses

This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of the victim support system in the Czech Republic in an international comparative context. The analysis reveals that although the Czech Republic has a legislative framework and a network of organizations providing assistance, the system still has certain shortcomings, particularly in the areas of comprehensive support, availability of services in regions, and specialization for specific victim groups. The study identifies several key areas for improvement, including increased financial support, specialization of services, prevention of secondary victimization, international cooperation, and strengthening the role of non-profit organizations. Furthermore, it emphasizes the need for further research on the long-term impacts of crime on victims, the effectiveness of different types of interventions, the needs of specific victim groups, the role of family and social environment, and intercultural aspects. In conclusion, the victim support system in the Czech Republic has the potential for further improvement. The implementation of the proposed measures would contribute to improving the quality of life of victims and building a more just society.

SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS AND COGNITIVE TRAJECTORIES IN THE WISCONSIN LONGITUDINAL STUDY

Abstract Sibling relationships are positively associated with psychological well-being over time. However, no prior studies have examined the impact of sibling relationships in middle and older adulthood on longitudinal patterns in cognitive functioning. Using four waves (spanning 27 years) of sibling data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (N = 19,046), our study explores the relationship between sibling closeness, emotional support, and contact frequency in 1993, 2004, and 2011 (when participants were roughly 54, 65, and 72) and trajectories in cognitive measures including immediate and delayed recall, digit ordering, and letter fluency in later life (2004, 2011, and 2020). In growth curve models, sibling closeness (measured in 2004) and emotional support received from siblings (measured in 1993, 2004, 2011) were positively associated with baseline levels of letter fluency but not change over time. Next, we employed the sibling dyad data with at least one letter fluency data available from each source (n = 3,243 pairs of siblings) to fit a parallel process model to examine whether siblings’ letter fluency scores moved together over time. We found that both the intercepts and slopes of letter fluency trajectories were positively associated for siblings, implying that participants who experienced a steep decline in letter fluency were likely to have siblings who experienced similarly steep declines. Future studies can further explore what aspects of siblings relationship or shared exposures (e.g. shared family characteristics or environments, spending time together, having similar health behaviors, or providing care for each other) influence the shared cognitive patterns.