Quality Of Family Relationships Research Articles

Clinical and lifestyle predictors of loneliness: A two-year longitudinal study

BackgroundWhile loneliness is a global public health problem, the literature lacks studies assessing loneliness predictors in low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, we aimed to analyze clinical and lifestyle predictors of loneliness. MethodsWe conducted a 2-year longitudinal study in Brazil based on a snowball sample and online surveys (baseline: May 6 to June 6, 2020). We assessed clinical and lifestyle predictors of loneliness using multiple regression models. The analyses were adjusted for several sociodemographic variables and weighted for attrition and sampling procedures. ResultsThe study included a nationwide sample of 473 participants (18–75 years; 87.1% females). After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, we identified as risk factors: depressive symptoms (RR: 1.214; 95%CI: 1.08–1.36; p = 0.001), anxiety symptoms (RR:1.191; 95%CI: 1.04–1.35; p = 0.007), alcohol abuse (RR: 1.579; 95%CI: 1.32–1.88; p < 0.001), and cannabis use (RR: 1.750; 95%CI: 1.25–2.39; p < 0.001). More than 150 min/week of physical activity (RR: 0.177; 95%CI: 0.07–0.34; p < 0.001) and good/excellent quality of family relationships (RR: 0.73; 95%CI: 0.60–0.87; p < 0.001) and sleep (RR: 0.483; 95%CI: 0.39–0.59; p < 0.001) were protective factors. ConclusionSeveral clinical factors (depression, anxiety, alcohol, and cannabis) have been identified as risk factors for loneliness, while lifestyle factors (physical activity, better quality of sleep, and family relationships) have been associated with a lower incidence of loneliness. Addressing clinical and lifestyle factors may therefore be essential to preventing loneliness.

Is Patching After Age 4 Beneficial for Children Born with a Unilateral Congenital Cataract?

The goal of these analyses is to provide evidence that can help parents and health care providers determine whether or not to continue occlusion therapy once a reliable measure of optotype acuity can be obtained in children who are born with a unilateral congenital cataract. Data from the Infant Aphakia Treatment Study (IATS) are used in a cohort design. 105 children who participated in the IATS and did not have a vision-threatening adverse event. We assessed the relationship between visual acuity at age 10.5 years and average daily hours of patching reported by caregivers on quarterly 48-hour recall interviews and annual 7-day patching diaries obtained between 48 and 60 months of age. Monocular visual acuity was assessed at the clinic visit closest to 48 months of age using the Amblyopia Treatment Study-HOTV protocol. Final visual acuity was measured at age 10.5 years using the E-ETDRS testing protocol. Visual acuity measurements obtained at age 4 were reliable, with a single measure intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.83 (95% CI 0.78,0.88) and were predictive of those obtained at age 10.5 (rSpearman = 0.83 (p<0.01)). Forty percent (n=48) of the children, the visual acuity measured at age 10.5 years was within +0.15 logMAR of the measurement obtained at age 4. The amount of patching that was received between the 4th and 5th birthdays was unrelated to changes in visual acuity. These analyses suggest that optotype acuity measures obtained early in the 5th year of life are reliable and are predictive of final visual outcomes. Additionally, our results suggest that less aggressive patching protocols, or discontinuing patching altogether, may be justified in some children, particularly those with poor vision, once optotype acuity can be measured. However, the potential impact of latent nystagmus on uniocular visual acuity measurement and the effect of patching on the child's quality of life, family relationships, and binocular visual field need to be considered before discontinuing occlusion therapy.

Youth Self-Disclosure to Parents in Post-Divorce Families

ABSTRACT Using data from 389 divorced parents (58.1% mothers, M parent age = 38.58, 82.5% White non-Hispanic, 23.7% repartnered, M sepration length = 6.21 years), we explored parent-adolescent and family system correlates of divorced parents’ perceptions of their children’s self-disclosure about their day-to-day lives. For mothers, perceptions of youth self-disclosure were positively associated with parental warmth, but negatively associated with inconsistent discipline, family system boundary ambiguity, and parenting stress. For fathers, perceptions of youth self-disclosure were positively associated with parental warmth, but negatively associated with family system boundary ambiguity. The knowledge parents gain from youth self-disclosure may be especially valuable in post-divorce families. Our results appear to indicate that how much youth tell their parents about what is occurring in their day-to-day lives may be rooted, in part, in the quality of post-divorce family relationships. However, mothers’ perceptions, compared to fathers’ perceptions, of youth self-disclosure appear to be impacted by more aspects of their family systems.

Prenatal weight stigma can affect relationship quality and maternal health outcomes

BackgroundWeight stigma is defined as negative misconception and stereotypes associated with weight, and it is commonly experienced during pregnancy. Weight stigma during pregnancy may be sourced from trusted close relationships including family members, partners, and friends. Social support is a necessary psychosocial factor for optimal health and wellbeing throughout pregnancy, and weight stigma sourced from these integral relationships may negatively affect health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of weight stigma from close others on maternal health outcomes.MethodsA survey was administered via Qualtrics to pregnant women (≥ 13 weeks, residence within the United States or Canada, ≥ 18 years old, singleton pregnancy). During pregnancy, participants completed questionnaires identifying whether they had experienced weight stigma from a close relationship (i.e., family, partners, or friends), how often, and relationship quality scales for each source. At three months postpartum, they were surveyed about their pregnancy outcomes including gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, chronic pain, anxiety/depression. They also completed the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and a linear regression was performed with frequency of weight stigma. Logistic regressions were performed between frequency of weight stigma and health outcomes. If significant, relationship quality was tested as a potential mediator. Significance was accepted as p < 0.05.Results463 participants completed both surveys of which 86% had experienced weight stigma from close others. Frequency of weight stigma was significantly associated with chronic pain (β = 0.689, p < 0.001), and anxiety/depression (β = 0.404, p = 0.005). The relationship between frequency of weight stigma in pregnancy and chronic pain was mediated by quality of all relationships. Family relationship quality mediated between frequency of weights stigma and anxiety/depression. Frequency of weight stigma was significantly associated with depression symptom severity measured by the EPDS (β = 0.634, p < 0.001).ConclusionThese findings underscore the issue of weight stigma and show that experiencing this from trusted close others is associated with poor health outcomes like chronic pain. Advocacy efforts to mitigate weight stigma in pregnancy and strengthen close relationships to improve maternal health and wellbeing is warranted.

A Survey on Female Employment and the Quality of Their Family Relationships in Mahabad, Iran (2017–2018)

Abstract The primary objective of this descriptive survey is to examine the correlation between women’s employment and the quality of their family relationships in Mahabad, a Kurdish city in the northwest of Iran. This locale has distinct cultural norms and perspectives concerning female employment. The statistical sample consists of all married women aged between 20 and 60 years and employed within the urban areas of Mahabad from 2017 to 2018. This group encompasses a total of 2,995 individuals (N = 2995). Employing Cochran’s formula, the sample size was determined to be n = 350. Participants were selected through multi-stage clustering and systematic random sampling methodologies. Data were collected through a researcher-designed questionnaire, with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient estimated at 0.89, indicating satisfactory reliability. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were employed for data analysis, including the chi-square test and percentage frequency distribution tables. The study’s central hypothesis was validated using the chi-square test at a 5% significance level. Consequently, the research findings substantiate that, within the context of Mahabad, employed women exhibit a higher quality of family relationships than their unemployed counterparts. Given the historically limited discourse on the circumstances of Kurdish women in smaller regions, and the prevailing tendency to focus primarily on the challenges faced by women at the lower strata of society, this research serves as a valuable contribution towards a more comprehensive understanding of the lives of this particular cohort of Kurdish women residing in the modest city of Mahabad. By delving into the dimensions of employment and the quality of their marital relationships, this study strives toward shedding light on the positive impacts of women’s participation on their family dynamics. The insights gleaned from this research hold the potential to serve as a model that can be extrapolated to benefit women in other regions across the Middle East in the future.

Interventions for Remarried Families

Remarried families become widespread as a type of family that differs from first marriages both developmentally and structurally. Due to its developmental and structural differences, both the quality and continuity of this families emerge as areas that need to be studied. To offer effective interventions to remarried families, researchers and practitioners in the field of mental health should have access to knowledge on this subject. The literature on remarried families emphasizes biological, non-biological and co-parenting related issues. The expectations, knowledge and perceptions of both the married couple, the children and the surrounding social environment of the remarried family is another important issue. Communication, problem solving, and conflict management can be an important tool in strengthening relationships and preventing negative experiences for families established through remarriage. It is seen that the interventions that deal with the mentioned characteristics of families formed through remarriage are given in the form of group practices, adopting a preventive approach, supported by practices that point to skill acquisition in addition to providing information. Programs offered for families formed through remarriage share commonalities such as remarried family development, parenting skills, communication and problem-solving skills. The effectiveness of interventions for remarriage has been tested by various studies conducted since the late 1970s. While testing the effectiveness of such interventions, it is seen that different outcome variables such as family integrity, dyadic satisfaction, relationship quality, marital continuity, conflict level, stress level and behavioral disorders experienced by family members are considered. Research findings show that interventions for remarriage are effective.

Online Sexual Risk Behaviors in Adolescents: Roles of Family Relationships, Impulsivity, and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

This study examined the associations of passive and active online sexual risk behaviors with perceived family relationships, impulsivity, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A total of 176 adolescents with ADHD and 173 adolescents without ADHD participated in this study. The participants' parents rated their parenting style on the Parental Bonding Instrument. The adolescents self-reported their lifelong experiences of passive and active online sexual risk behaviors, perceived family relationship quality on the family domain of the Taiwanese Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adolescents, and three domains of impulsivity on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale version 11. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the associations of online sexual risk behaviors with perceived family relationships, impulsivity, and ADHD. Overall, 114 participants (32.7%) reported passive forms of online sexual risk behaviors, and 49 (14.0%) reported active online sexual risk behaviors. Lack of foresight and self-control was significantly associated with passive online sexual risk behaviors (p = 0.003). Good family relationship was significantly associated with a decreased risk of active online sexual risk behaviors (p = 0.011), whereas seeking novelty and making decisions hastily was significantly associated with an increased risk of active online sexual risk behaviors (p = 0.048). ADHD diagnosis and inability to plan were not significantly associated with online sexual risk behaviors (p > 0.05). A high proportion of Taiwanese adolescents reported exhibiting online sexual risk behaviors. The factors related to the manifestation of these behaviors should be considered when designing relevant intervention programs.

Influence of Time Management Stress and Self-Care Moderator on Clergy Quality Family Relationships in Citam, Kenya

The clergy profession is a challenging one as they are expected to provide spiritual leadership by providing comfort and support to members of the congregation. If the clergy do not intentionally manage their time-management stress by exercising proper self-care, the quality of their family relationships can be impacted negatively by the stress. This study investigated the influence of time management stress with the self-care moderator on clergy-family relationships in Christ Is The Answer Ministries (CITAM). The total population was 204, and a total of 115 respondents, comprising 57 pastors, 40 spouses, and 18 children, participated in the study. Ethical considerations were adhered to by receiving the necessary approvals and licenses before commencing the study. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and focus group discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed using the linear regression technique and presented in tables, histograms, and box plots. The qualitative data was transcribed and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach to identify key themes. Findings showed that time-management stress had a negative effect on the quality of clergy-family relationships (B = -0.224, p &lt; 0.05). Thematic analysis revealed that having intentionality about their self-care and maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal life would help clergy reduce time-management stress and improve the quality of their family relationships. The study recommended that churches should collaborate with family therapists to offer therapy sessions to all members of the clergy. This would enable the clergy and their families to gain new insights and perspectives in dealing with time-management stress and thereby improve the quality of their family relationships.

Unpacking Ethnic-Racial Messages and Coping Socialization Profiles: Family Relationship Quality and Demographic Differences

The current study aimed to 1) identify patterns of ethnic-racial and coping socialization among Black emerging adults, and 2) investigate profile differences in demographics and family relationship quality (e.g., communication and closeness). Six-hundred and three Black emerging adults (Mage = 18.63, 78% Female) at a Minority Serving Institution completed an online survey. We used latent profile analysis (LPA) with three ethnic-racial socialization and two coping socialization indicators. Four profiles emerged: High Socialization, Awareness without Response, Colorblind Coping, and Low Socialization. African American emerging adults were more likely to be in the High Socialization group than other profiles. Those in the High Socialization profile (high ethnic-racial socialization and racial coping socialization) were likely to report parental closeness more than others. Differences in family communication are discussed. The findings reveal that coping support and race-related socialization messages matter throughout emerging adulthood.

Coping With COVID-19: Perspectives of Caregivers of Children and Young People With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Caregivers of children and young people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) face challenging circumstances on a daily basis; however, the difficulties they experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as potentially positive experiences, are not yet fully understood. The aim of this study was to explore the pandemic-related experiences of these caregivers. Twelve caregivers were recruited from a hospital-based pediatric renal program; eight families were posttransplant. Caregivers participated in virtual semistructured interviews conducted between March 2021 and November 2022. They provided responses to open-ended questions concerning how the pandemic affected their child with CKD, their family, and themselves. Interviews were transcribed and coded using thematic analysis. Four main themes were identified: (1) Family Life, which included disruptions in routine, reduced social supports, and changes in the quality of family relationships; (2) Mental Health and Coping, which included increased anxiety and positive coping strategies; (3) Work and School Life, which included changes to work and school; and (4) Health and Health Care Systems, which included virtual health care and public health restrictions. Despite facing profound challenges, caregivers identified both positive and negative aspects of their pandemic experiences. Their coping strategies highlighted individual and family resilience characteristics. Implications for health care providers, including future pandemic planning, support for the transition from in-person to virtual care, and strategies to better address barriers to resources for families of children with chronic kidney disease were discussed.

Measurement invariance of the Coparenting Relationship Scale (CRS) across 10 countries.

The purpose of this study was to assess the factor structure and the measurement invariance of the Coparenting Relationship Scale (CRS) across 10 countries based on the seven-factor coparenting model (i.e., Coparenting Agreement, Coparenting Closeness, Exposure to Conflict, Coparenting Support, Endorsement of Partner's Parenting; Division of Labor) proposed by Feinberg (2003). The results of research on coparenting from numerous countries have documented its foundational importance for parent mental health, family relationship quality, child development, and psychopathology. Yet, a cross-country perspective is still lacking. Such a perspective can provide insight into which dimensions of coparenting are universally recognized and which are especially prone to variation. A unique multinational data set, comprised of 15 individual studies collected across 10 countries (Belgium, Brazil, China, Israel, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Switzerland, Turkey, USA) in nine languages was established (N = 9,292; 51.1% mothers). Measurement invariance analyses were conducted. A six-factor structure (original seven factors minus Division of Labor) of the measure was consistent across the different contexts and measurement invariance was achieved at the configural level. There was no support for metric or scalar invariance. These findings provide a basis for the CRS to be used across countries and should inspire future quantitative and qualitative research in cross-country coparenting research to understand what aspects are universal and what aspects of coparenting are linked to specific material, relational, or ideational conditions that underlie high-quality coparenting. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Exploring the effects of family and life events on genetic and environmental architecture of schizotypal and hypomanic dimensions: Insights from a twin study

BackgroundStrategies of prevention for psychiatric disorders need a deep understanding of the aetiological factors involved in the psychopathological processes. Our twin study aims at disentangling the contributions of genes and environment to schizotypal and hypomanic dimensions, considering the role of stressful life events (LEs) and the quality of family relationships. MethodsThe Magical Ideation Scale (MIS) and Perceptual Aberration Scale (PAS) were used to assess positive schizotypy, while Hypomanic Personality Scale (HPS) and its sub-scales were used to investigate proneness to affective disorders. 268 twins (54.5 % female; aged 18.0 ± 6.68) were included. Participants filled out a questionnaire on LEs and their parents provided an evaluation of intra-family relationship (Relationship Quality Index, RQI). Classic univariate twin models for quantitative traits were fitted for scales, and the effects of covariates (LEs and RQI) were assessed. ResultsFor MIS, HPS and its sub-scales, significant common and unique environmental effects were detected, with genetic factors affecting only HPS Social Vitality sub-scale. Unique environment was the only source of variance of PAS score. The number of recent LEs influenced MIS and PAS models, while RQI score affected MIS model. LimitationsThe main limitation of the study is the small sample size, which reduces statistical power and may potentially lead to an underestimation of heritability. Additionally, the cross-sectional design limits the possibility to draw causal considerations. ConclusionsFindings provide preliminary evidence for a significant environmental role in modulating states of vulnerability. Moreover, the expression of positive schizotypy resulted influenced by recent stressors and intra-family relationships.

Causal association between family health, perceived relationship quality components, and attitudes toward childbearing in Iranian women: A WHO model analysis.

Given the unprecedented global decline in fertility as a major demographic development in recent years, the present study was conducted to determine Causal association Between Family Health, Perceived Relationship Quality Components, and Attitudes toward Childbearing in Iranian Women: A WHO Model Analysis METHODS: In 2023, this descriptive study recruited 400 married women presenting to selected comprehensive health centers affiliated to Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. The data were collected through multistage stratified cluster sampling and using a socioeconomic status questionnaire (Ghodratnama), the Perceived Relationship Quality Components (PRQC) scale, the family-of-origin scale (FOS), the attitudes toward fertility and childbearing scale (AFCS) and a demographic checklist were analyzed in SPSS 25 and LISREL 8.8. According to the path analysis, family health exerted the most significant and positive causal effect on attitudes to childbearing directly through one path (B=0.334) and relationship quality (B=0.698) and duration of married life (B=0.387) both directly and indirectly. The number of children (B=-0.057), however, exerted the most significant and negative causal effect on attitudes to childbearing through both paths. The present findings suggested the significant effects of family health and relationship quality on attitudes toward childbearing. It is therefore recommended that these variables be screened in comprehensive health centers, the associated limitations and problems be identified and appropriate training and counseling solutions be provided by health specialists.

From parents to children: associations of traffic risks with impulsivity, family relationships and serotonin transporter genotype.

Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of death for young adults, and parents play a major role in shaping their traffic behaviour. Higher impulsivity (predictor of higher traffic risk) has been shown to be dependent on family relations and the serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR). The specific mechanisms for the inheritance of risky traffic behaviour from parents to children are not clear, and the genetic aspect has not been studied before. We used data of Estonian Children Personality Behaviour and Health Study subjects (n = 596, mean age = 25.2 ± 0.6) and their parents (mothers, n = 460, mean age = 52.1 ± 5.8; fathers, n = 339, mean age = 54.1 ± 6.5). Family relationships scale, traffic risk questionnaires and Adaptive and Maladaptive Impulsivity Scale were filled out. The increased risk-taking behaviour of parents and worse quality of family relationship were significant predictors of higher traffic risk among subjects. Family support and impulsivity of fathers significantly predicted the subjects' traffic risk score in interaction with 5-HTTLPR genotype: l'/l' homozygous subjects with adaptively impulsive fathers had higher traffic risk, whereas for s'-allele carrying subjects family support was more significant. Parental role modelling and family relationships are significant predictors of future traffic behaviour of the child. Whether the behavioural example of the father or the influence of family relationships is more important in predicting future risky traffic behaviour, depends on the 5-HTTLPR genotype of the child.

Applying the Family Stress Model to responsive feeding and early obesity prevention

Rapid weight gain during infancy and obesity during early childhood may lead to adverse health outcomes during later childhood and into adulthood, especially in families experiencing economic hardship. Families experiencing economic hardship may also experience food insecurity, which can impact child development and responsive feeding, an important target for obesity prevention in early life. The Family Stress Model suggests that stress, particularly economic hardship, can negatively impact parents’ mental health, parenting, and quality of family relationships. This review proposes a conceptual model that expands upon the original Family Stress Model by including parent-child dyadic interactions during feeding (i.e., responsive feeding) as well as the coparenting relationship around feeding. Our conceptual model integrates responsive feeding into the Family Stress Model and includes the impact of food insecurity on feeding and child health outcomes. Such models that consider multiple influences on child development have implications for the design of effective interventions to promote healthy growth for entire families. Future directions in this research will empirically test the model and explore early intervention strategies that aim to promote responsive feeding, nutrition security, and health within families. Continuing interdisciplinary research between the fields of nutrition and family development will be key to addressing the complex interplay of family stressors, parent responsiveness, and childhood obesity.

Longitudinal Associations of Family Relationship Quality with Chronic Pain Incidence and Persistence Among Aging African Americans.

This study examines how family relationships convey risk or resilience for pain outcomes for aging African Americans, and to replicate and extend analyses across two nationally representative studies of aging health. African American participants in Midlife in the United States (MIDUS, N = 755) and the Health and Retirement Study (HRS, N = 2585) self-reported chronic pain status at 2006 waves and then again 10 years later. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of pain incidence and persistence explained by family, intimate partner, and parent-child strain and support, as well as average support and average strain across relationships. On average, MIDUS participants were younger (M = 52.35, SD = 12.06; 62.1% female) than HRS (M = 66.65, SD = 10.92; 63.7% female). Family support and average support were linked to a decreased odds of pain incidence in MIDUS, but only when tested without accounting for strain, while parent-child strain was a risk factor for pain incidence in HRS, as was average strain. Family support protected against pain persistence in MIDUS, while average support was linked to a reduced odds of pain persisting in HRS. Chronic pain outcomes are worse for African Americans for a number of reasons, but parent-child strain may contribute to the risk of new pain developing over time for older adults. Conversely, family support may offer a protective benefit for pain incidence and persistence among aging African Americans. Findings implicate family relationships as a potential target of pain management interventions.

Paternal Incarceration, Family Relationships, and Adolescents’ Internalizing and Externalizing Problem Behaviors

Little is known about the conditions under which paternal incarceration is harmful to children and the mechanisms that explain this. This study addressed the family relationship context in the associations between paternal incarceration and adolescents’ internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors. Using data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a moderated mediation model was specified where paternal incarceration predicted adolescents’ internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors through family relationship quality, and where the mediating role of family relationship quality was moderated by pre-incarceration family relationship characteristics. Using latent profile analyses, three pre-incarceration family clusters were identified (“Cohesive”; “Fragmented”; “Disharmonious”). Analyses indicated that the association between paternal incarceration and family relationship quality differed across pre-incarceration family clusters and that decreased father-mother relationship quality mediated the negative association between paternal incarceration and adolescents’ internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors among “Cohesive” and “Fragmented”, but not among “Disharmonious” family clusters. The findings suggest that adolescents with more harmonious pre-incarceration family relationships are most vulnerable to the negative consequences of paternal incarceration. The study demonstrates the need to consider the family relationship context to understand the intergenerational consequences of incarceration.

The role of family relationships on adolescents' development and adjustment during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review.

In typical times, adolescents' relationships with family members influence changing cognitive, social, and physical aspects of their development. The COVID-19 pandemic, however, impacted the full family system in ways that were unprecedented. Scholars of adolescence worldwide were driven to understand how adolescents' relationships with family members changed due to these dramatic societal shifts and the influence these relationships had on adolescents' well-being. This systematic review examined two research questions with 189 articles published from 2020-2022: (1) How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted families with adolescents, including broader family functioning, family relationship qualities, and parenting? and (2) How has the pandemic or pandemic-related stressors interacted with family functioning, family relationships, and parenting of adolescents to impact adolescent well-being and adjustment? Additionally, examination of the relevant studies were divided into sub-themes of pandemic influence: (a) family environment and routines, (b) family difficulties, (c) parenting and parent-adolescent relationships, and (d) sibling relationships.

How military-related stress and family relationships are associated with perceptions of work-family impact for married male service members with adolescent children

ABSTRACT Family members’ perceptions of challenges associated with military life can spillover to their relationships with one another and, in turn, inform service members’ beliefs of how their work impacts family life. The current study examined connections between active-duty fathers’, civilian mothers’, and adolescents’ perceptions of military-related stress, adolescents’ perceptions of quality of family relationships (i.e. parent-adolescent relationships), and service members’ perceived work-family impact (specifically work-related guilt and work-related enrichment). To examine these associations, a path analysis with secondary cross-sectional data was estimated using data from 228 Army families (each with an active-duty father, civilian mother, and adolescent offspring). The findings suggested that service members’ perceptions of military-related stress and adolescents’ relationship quality with both parents were related to service members’ work-family impact, specifically work-related enrichment. Such associations highlight the importance of high-quality parent-adolescent relationships for active-duty fathers’ work-family impact, which has implications for military families but, more broadly, for service members’ readiness and retention.

The Impact of Family Functioning Factors on Smartphone Addiction and Phubbing among Muslim Adolescents in Thailand.

While there is research on protective factors against smartphone addiction (SA) and phubbing, which impact adolescents' physical, psychological, interpersonal, and academic well-being, focused studies on these issues among Thai Muslim students in Southern Thailand remain scarce. To bridge this gap, this research aimed to explore the influence of five family functioning factors-discipline, communication and problem-solving (CPS), relationship, emotional status, and family support-guided by family systems theory and the McMaster Model, on SA and phubbing. Data from 825 Thai Muslim adolescent secondary school students (Female N = 459 (55.7%), Mage = 15.11 ± 1.78) across three southern Thai provinces were analyzed utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM). Significant connections were identified between family functioning factors, particularly emotional status and discipline, and SA, and their impact on phubbing behavior. SA was found to mediate the relationship between these two family factors and phubbing. Interestingly, a higher quality of family relationships was found to be associated with an increased risk of SA, while the other two family functions-CPS and family support-demonstrated no significant association with these digital behaviors. Despite its limitations, including a cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reports, the study underscores the importance of specific family functions in preventing and addressing adolescent SA and phubbing.