Family Stress Management Research Articles

Development and validation of a questionnaire to measure the congenital heart disease of children's family stressor.

Families of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) face tremendous stressors in the process of coping with the disease, which threatens the health of families of children with CHD. Studies have shown that nursing interventions focusing on family stress management can improve parents' ability to cope with illness and promote family health. At present, there is no measuring tool for family stressors of CHD. The items of the scale were generated through qualitative interviews and a literature review. Initial items were evaluated by seven experts to determine content validity. Factor analysis and reliability testing were conducted with a convenience sample of 670 family members. The criterion-related validity of the scale was calculated using scores on the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). The CHD Children's Family Stressor Scale consisted of six dimensions and 41 items. In the exploratory factor analysis, the cumulative explained variance of the six factors was 61.085%. In the confirmatory factor analysis, the six factors in the EFA were well validated, indicating that the model fits well. The correlation coefficient between CHD Children's Family Stressor Scale and SAS was r = 0.504 (p < 0.001), which indicated that the criterion-related validity of the scale was good. In the reliability test, Cronbach's α coefficients of six sub-scales were 0.774-0.940, and the scale-level Cronbach's α coefficient value was 0.945. The study indicates that the CHD Children's Family Stressor Scale is valid and reliable, and it is recommended for use in clinical practice to assess CHD children's family stressors.

Nurturing Tomorrow's Minds: The Impact of Family Education on Holistic Child Development

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the impact of family education on child development, focusing on parenting styles, educational activities at home, the role of technology, and the emotional climate within the family. Through an exploration of authoritative, permissive, and authoritarian parenting styles, this paper examines their distinct effects on cognitive development, emotional growth, and social adaptation. Additionally, this paper delves into the significance of literacy development activities, mathematical reasoning games, and nature exploration in fostering children's cognitive and socio-emotional skills. Furthermore, this paper discusses the implications of digital technology and social media on children's cognitive and emotional development, emphasizing the importance of digital literacy and safe internet use. Moreover, this paper investigates how family harmony, stress management, and parental support contribute to children's emotional security and self-esteem. This paper concludes with insights into the critical role of family education in shaping children's holistic development and underscores the need for informed, intentional parenting practices to nurture resilient, confident, and emotionally healthy individuals.

Psychological aspects of peacekeeping missions

Relevance. The article discusses the influence of military personnel participation in peacekeeping missions on the psychological state of their family members. This topic is particularly relevant amid growing global militarization and the need for effective regulation by peacekeepers. Purpose. The purpose of the empirical study is to identify the relationship between family identification and the ability of military personnel's family members to consciously overcome stress associated with peacekeeping missions. Methodology. The study involved family members of military personnel undergoing training and those who have already participated in a peacekeeping mission. Three questionnaires were used to collect data, focusing on perceived stress levels, conscious controllability, and family identification features. Results. Statistical analysis revealed that family identification significantly influences the ability of military family members to manage stress caused by participation in peacekeeping missions. The analysis identified four types of subjects differentiated by their levels of family identification and stress management capabilities. Family members with high family identification exhibited better stress management and adaptability. Conversely, those with low family identification struggled more with stress and showed lower adaptability. The study found a positive correlation between strong family bonds and effective stress management, highlighting the importance of family support in coping with the challenges posed by peacekeeping missions. Conclusions. The findings indicate that family identification is crucial in helping military families cope with stress from peacekeeping missions. This typology provides a basis for developing socio-psychological support methods, identifying risk groups, and offering targeted psychological assistance to different types of military family members. By understanding the specific needs and stress management capabilities of military families, it becomes possible to design more effective support programs that enhance resilience and well-being among the families of peacekeepers. Keywords: personnel; self-organization; family identification; perceived stress

Examining External and Internal Acculturative Factors: Cuban-Born Women’s Experience of Well-Being in the U.S.

Objective: This study investigates the influence of acculturative stress on the mental well-being of Cuban-born women and Latina immigrants, emphasizing their distinctive experiences. Methods: Utilizing data from the National Latino Asian American Study (NLAAS), a comprehensive nationwide mental health investigation among Latino and Asian Americans, this study examined 264 Cuban women (average age: 58) who migrated to the United States and live in south Florida. The study employed Family Stress Management (FSM) framework and Bekteshi et al.’s Contextual Influence on Acculturative Stress (CIAS) framework to scrutinize the interplay of contextual factors and individual characteristics impacting adolescents’ psychological distress. Results: The findings revealed several noteworthy associations. Higher levels of church attendance, challenges in visiting family overseas, and perceived racial discrimination correlated with elevated stress levels. Furthermore, the age at which individuals immigrated was positively linked to increased stress (b = 0.18; p = 0.04), indicating that older Cuban immigrants experienced greater psychological distress upon their arrival in the United States. Additionally, higher levels of conflict between family and cultural values, as well as intensified religious beliefs, were associated with elevated distress levels. Conclusion: This study underscores the intricate interplay of diverse contextual factors in shaping the mental health and well-being of Cuban-born women. The insights derived from this research have implications for the development of tailored interventions and support systems, aiming to address the unique needs of this population.

38 Efficacy of Caregiver Psychoeducation Sessions on Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Executive Functioning Difficulties

Objective:Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) commonly exhibit impairments in their executive functions. Caregivers are primarily responsible for the daily management of their children's ADHD and executive functioning difficulties. Psychoeducation, a cornerstone of ADHD treatment, can empower caregivers by providing them the knowledge and resources they require to support their child with ADHD. This study examined the efficacy of a suite of six caregiver psychoeducation sessions delivered by a specialised ADHD service. Two of these sessions pertained to (i) Understanding ADHD and (ii) Executive Functioning in ADHD. The other four covered information around Family Self-Care and Stress Management, Social Connectedness and Communication, Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation in ADHD and, Medication.Participants and Methods:All sessions were delivered between May 2016 and July 2022, in 2 to 3-hour sessions each. Caregivers completed pre and post-session questionnaires, rating (i) their understanding of each of the topics, (ii) whether they identified effective strategies to help their child with ADHD meet their needs, and (iii) whether they improved their knowledge of resources they can access to assist with ADHD management. Altogether, 666 caregiver responses were collected across all sessions, 35% (n=234) of which were from the Understanding ADHD sessions and 4.2% (n = 28) from the Executive Functioning sessions.Results:Wilcoxon signed-rank tests with Bonferroni adjusted alpha level of 0.016 were conducted to examine each session's pre- and post-session responses. Results showed that the Understanding ADHD workshops impelled significant improvements in attendee-rated levels of topic understanding (z = -8.79, p &lt;.001, r = -.41), strategies gained (z = -8.54, p &lt;.001, r = -.40) and perceived resource accessibility (z = -6.40, p &lt;.001, r = -.30). Attendees reported moderate to large improvements following the Executive Functioning in ADHD sessions, including in their topic understanding (z = -4.18, p &lt;.001, r = -.57), strategies gained (z = -3.93, p &lt;.001, r = -.54) and perceived resource accessibility (z = -4.23, p &lt;.001, r = -.61). Improvements across all three areas were also noted across the other four caregiver sessions, except for the medication session where no significant changes in strategies gained and perceived access to resources were noted.Conclusions:This study provides evidence that caregiver sessions within a Tier-4 service are efficacious and can (i) meet caregivers' needs to better understand ADHD, executive functioning difficulties as well as of other ADHD-related issues, and (ii) may equip caregivers with the knowledge to access resources to appropriately manage their children with ADHD - a possible precursor to improved clinical and functional outcomes in children. That the session on ADHD medications only led to improved understanding of the topic but not to perceived gains in strategies or perceived access to strategies could be attributed to low pre-and post-session questionnaire response rates as well as to the nature of those sessions which were purely informative and did not discuss strategies and resources. Nonetheless, longitudinal studies, with control groups, should determine whether any post-intervention improvements are sustained over time and should establish whether these are associated with improved outcomes in children.

Education on Personal and Family Stress Management by Thinking Positively after the COVID-19 Pandemic

Various problems caused by COVID-19 are considered to be a new source of stress for the community, namely tension, a burden for personal and family psychological conditions. This condition will gradually give a negative influence on the health of the body. Therefore, stress management needs to be known and mastered by the community to be able to maintain a healthy body. This stress management activity by thinking positively after the COVID-19 pandemic was carried out in the village of Tatah Alayung, Barito Kuala Regency. This activity was carried out in the form of socialization by visiting the village office and then residents' houses one by one. The socialization provided was in the form of tips on how to keep a positive mind during the Covid 19 pandemic and distributing and pasting posters and banners around the village. Education about personal and family stress management by thinking positively after the COVID-19 pandemic is very good and has received a good response from the community.

Families under pressure: A qualitative study of stressors in families of children with congenital heart disease.

The objective of this study was to better understand the stressors in families of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) to assist with formulating targeted stress management plans for such families. A descriptive qualitative study was undertaken at a tertiary referral hospital in China. Following purposeful sampling, interviews were conducted with 21 parents of children with CHD regarding the stressors in their families. Following content analysis, 11 themes were generated from the data and categorised into six main domains: the initial stressor and associated hardships, normative transitions, prior strains, the consequences of family efforts to cope, intrafamily and social ambiguity, and sociocultural values. The 11 themes include confusion regarding the disease, hardships encountered during treatment, the heavy financial burden, the unusual growth track of the child due to the disease, normal events becoming abnormal for the family, impaired family functioning, family vulnerability, family resilience, family boundary ambiguity induced by role alteration, a lack of knowledge about community support and family stigma. Various and complex stressors exist for families of children with CHD. Medical personnel should fully evaluate the stressors and take targeted measures before implementing family stress management practices. It is also necessary to focus on the posttraumatic growth of families of children with CHD and strengthen resilience. Moreover, family boundary ambiguity and a lack of knowledge about community support should not be ignored, and further research is needed to explore these variables. Most importantly, policymakers and healthcare providers should adopt a range of strategies to address the stigma of being in a family of a child with CHD.

مقومات المرونة الأسریة کما تدرکها الزوجة وانعکاسها على إدارة الضغوط الحیاتیة فی ظل جائحة کورونا

مقومات المرونة الأسریة کما تدرکها الزوجة وانعکاسها على إدارة الضغوط الحیاتیة فی ظل جائحة کورونا

The application of family stress management of the quality of life on breast cancer patients

Background: Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that grows around the breast area and can metastasize to other organs of the body. The complaint that is often felt by patients is that it is very severe pain that reduces the patient's ability to carry out daily activities and will affect the patient's quality of life. The role of the family is important in improving the quality of life of patients, with the moral and material burdens of the family that can affect the family in caring for patients. This study aims to determine the quality of life in breast cancer patients after family stress management interventions. Methods: This research method is a qualitative research design with one group pre-test to post-test with consecutive sampling technique on 22 samples. Data analysis methods used were univariate analysis and bivariate analysis with the non-parametric statistical test Wilcoxon signed rank test.Results: The results showed that the asymp.sig value was 0.004 so that it was smaller than 0.05 which showed that there were differences between stress management interventions before and after the interventions. Conclusion: Family stress management interventions affect the quality of life of breast cancer patients.

Contextualizing acculturative stress among Latino immigrants in the United States: a systematic review

ABSTRACT Purpose: This systematic review of the literature informed of (a) the relationship between acculturation and acculturative stress, (b) examined the determinants of acculturative stress among Latino immigrants in the U.S., and (c) provided a conceptual framework that can be used to specify the interactive effect of various factors on acculturative stress. Methods: Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), this review synthesized the results of thirty studies published between 2000 and 2015 that investigated the influence of several socio-demographic and cultural contexts on acculturative stress among Latino immigrants categorized using Family Stress Management (FSM) theory as a framework. Results: Studied highlighted several protectors from and risks to acculturative stress. Historical context protective factors included having a choice over the decision to migrate and social support; risks included discrimination, family left abroad, and fear of deportation. Economic context protective factors included higher income. The development context protective factors included English skills, years in the U.S., and being married; risks included being female. Cultural context protective factors included being culturally competent and acculturation; risks included family-cultural conflict and ethnic enclave pressures. Internal context protectors included post-immigration religious coping, church attendance, and family values. Implications: The results highlighted incorporating cultural aspects (i.e. family values and social support) in mental health practice with Latino immigrants. A less stressful integration experience can be achieved if age-related stressors and experiences of discrimination are acknowledged and the need for social support and harmonious family dynamics was prioritized in service plans.

Predictors of Family Stress in Taking Care of Patients with Schizophrenia

Introduction: Taking care of schizophrenia patients is challenging and causes stress for the family involved. The study was conducted to identify the predictors of family stress present when taking care of a patient with schizophrenia. The ABCX Stress Theory of Hill was used as the theoretical framework.Methods: This study used a correlational design. The sample was 137 families who were caring for patients with schizophrenia at the Menur Mental Hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia. The sample was obtained by way of purposive sampling. The data was collected by a questionnaire and analysed by multiple regression to determine the relationship of the family’s structure, family knowledge, the burden of care, stigma, social support, the patient's illness duration, the patient’s frequency of relapse and the patient's severity level with family stress.Results: The results showed that the family’s stress was predicted by the family’s structure (p=0.029), stigma (p=0.000), the burden of care (p=0.000), and the patient’s frequency of relapse (p=0.005). The burden of care was the strongest predictor of family stress (Beta= 0.619).Conclusion: The patient's frequency of relapse and stigma were other kinds of family stressor. The stressors stimulated a negative perception, called the care burden. Limited adequacy of the family structure-function will inhibit the family in using other resources, creating family stress. Nurses may develop an assessment format that consists of the family stress predictors in order to create a nursing care plan specific to reframing the techniques of family stress management.

Structural model of the factors related to the family resilience of stroke patients in Indonesia

This study aimed to develop a family resilience model to improve the quality of life of families with stroke patients. A cross-sectional quantitative study was employed to measure the data from 130 families. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine the relationship between the variables. The analysis method of Partial Least Square (PLS) was used to evaluate if the proposed model is suitable for the data based on goodness-of-fit.The family resilience model focused on the quality of life of a stroke-impaired family has been compiled with the variable modelling comprising of family crisis, stress management, and family resilience. The achievement of high family resilience was followed by improving the quality of family life with stroke in the domains of physical health, psychological, social and environmental. Family health efforts related to primary health care is expected to increase family resilience and quality of life. © 2018, Indian Journal of Public Health Research and Development. All rights reserved.

Family Stress Management: A Contextual Approach

<i>Family Stress Management: A Contextual Approach</i>

Sharing Family Life Information Through Video Calls and Other Information and Communication Technologies and the Association With Family Well-Being: Population-Based Survey.

BackgroundThe use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for information sharing among family members is increasing dramatically. However, little is known about the associated factors and the influence on family well-being.ObjectiveThe authors investigated the pattern and social determinants of family life information sharing with family and the associations of different methods of sharing with perceived family health, happiness, and harmony (3Hs) in Hong Kong, where mobile phone ownership and Internet access are among the most prevalent, easiest, and fastest in the world.MethodsA territory-wide population-based telephone survey was conducted from January to August 2016 on different methods of family life information (ie, information related to family communication, relationships with family members, emotion and stress management) sharing with family members, including face-to-face, phone, instant messaging (IM), social media sites, video calls, and email. Family well-being was assessed by three single items on perceived family health, happiness, and harmony, with higher scores indicating better family well-being. Adjusted prevalence ratios were used to assess the associations of sociodemographic factors with family life information sharing, and adjusted beta coefficients for family well-being.ResultsOf 2017 respondents, face-to-face was the most common method to share family life information (74.45%, 1502/2017), followed by IM (40.86%, 824/2017), phone (28.10%, 567/2017), social media sites (11.91%, 240/2017), video calls (5.89%, 119/2017), and email (5.48%, 111/2017). Younger age and higher education were associated with the use of any (at least one) method, face-to-face, IM, and social media sites for sharing family life information (all P for trend <.01). Higher education was most strongly associated with the use of video calls (adjusted prevalence ratio=5.61, 95% CI 2.29-13.74). Higher household income was significantly associated with the use of any method, face-to-face, and IM (all P for trend <.05). Sharing family life information was associated with a higher level of perceived family well-being (beta=0.56, 95% CI 0.37-0.75), especially by face-to-face (beta=0.62, 95% CI 0.45-0.80) and video calls (beta=0.34, 95% CI 0.04-0.65). The combination of face-to-face and video calls was most strongly associated with a higher level of perceived family well-being (beta=0.81, 95% CI 0.45-1.16).ConclusionsThe differential use of ICTs to share family life information was observed. The prevalence of video calls was low, but associated with much better family well-being. The results need to be confirmed by prospective and intervention studies to promote the use of video calls to communicate and share information with family, particularly in disadvantaged groups.

Contextual Approach to Acculturative Stress Among Latina Immigrants in the U.S.

Based on Family Stress Management theory, we explored the contextual influence on acculturative stress and psychological distress. We included 639 Latinas from the National Latino Asian American Survey. We hypothesized that (a) impact of acculturative stress on psychological distress depends on specific contexts; (b) U.S. climate (i.e., perceived discrimination, happiness with U.S. move, years in the U.S.) impacts acculturative stress and psychological distress the most, and (c) contextual factors interact in impacting acculturative stress. Acculturative stress did not always lead to psychological distress. Perceived discrimination and difficulty visiting family abroad were positively associated with acculturative stress. Years in the U.S. and happiness with the U.S. move were negatively associated with acculturative stress. Years in the U.S. and perceived discrimination interacted in predicting acculturative stress. These results can aid formulation of effective interventions that target contexts likely to impact acculturative stress and psychological distress among Latinas.

Leave Programs/Time Off and Work-Stress Family Employee Benefits Programs, Organizational Commitment, and Self-Efficacy Among Municipal Employees

The purpose of this study was to examine the role between family-friendly employee benefits programs (FFEBPs) and organizational commitment and employee motivation (self-efficacy) among a sector of municipal employees. In particular, the effects of two FFEBPs (leave programs/time off programs and work-stress family programs) were assessed on organizational commitment and job self-efficacy outcomes. Three hundred forty-seven local government professionals completed an online survey that was used to measure the variables of interest. Results found significant mean differences of employees’ job self-efficacy and organizational commitment levels between agencies with work–family stress management FFEBPs and agencies without these programs. However, the effects of leave programs/time off FFEBPs were not significant predictors of an employee’s job self-efficacy.

Work-life Balance by Area, Actual Situation and Expectations – the Overlapping Opinions of Employers and Employees in Slovenia

Abstract Background: The question of work-life balance (WLB) is an area where increasing attention is being paid nowadays. States, organisations and employees all have responsibility and a role to play in WLB. This article presents the important areas of the WLB by key players in this field. Purpose: The purpose of the research was to compare and analyse the differences between the actual situation and the expectations of employers and employees with regard to specific areas of WLB in Slovenia. Methodology: Data was gathered using the Computer Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) method. In the first part of the research project, employers across all sectors of the economy in Slovenia were questioned and in second part focussed on employees. In order to verify the areas in which employers and employees agree and those in which there are differences in perception, multidimensional scaling (MDS) was used. Results: The results of our research show that Slovenian organisations must pay more attention to flexible working time, the employees’ ability to take time off to care for family members, time and stress management workshops and paid leave for parents on a child’s first day of school. Conclusion: A significant role in WLB is played by organisations. The incorporation of WLB strategies into the strategic and financial planning of an organisation can, in fact, have positive business, economic and social effects. Employees have to express their expectations and needs, which is the only way that employers can be made aware of their problems and help with WLB. State responsibility is to encourage all social partners to shape the living environment in which employees’ can achieve a good WLB with an emphasis on gender equality

Pengelolaan Stres pada Keluarga Korban Bencana Longsor di Kabupaten Bogor

This research focused to analyze family stress management of landslide’s victims of Banyuwangi village, Bogor District. This research used cross-sectional design, involved 100 families who became the victims of Banyuwangi village’s landslides as samples. Results showed that s tressors which gave the greatest impact on family life wereintrafamily and finances/business strains . The correlation test showed the higher the level of finances and business strains, work transitions and strains, the lower the level of family hardiness and the higher the level of family stress . Meanwhile, the higher the level of marital strains, the lower the level of family coherence and the higher the level of family stress. The higher the level of family social support, then the higher the level of family coherence and family coping strategy. The regression test indicated that family stress of landslide’s victim was influenced by stressor, family hardiness, and coping strategy focused on problem.

Coping Responses in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Avoidance, Treatment, and Lifestyle Factors

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by recurrent, distressing obsessions and repetitive compulsive behaviors or mental rituals frequently performed to reduce the distress associated with the obsessions. This paper reviews maladaptive and adaptive coping responses used by individuals with OCD, including compulsions as an avoidant coping response, psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatments, social and family support, lifestyle changes, and stress management. Although several gaps in the extant literature on coping with OCD were identified, a considerable body of research supports the use of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) with exposure and response prevention (E/RP) as an effective therapeutic technique for teaching long-lasting coping skills. Increased research is needed in the role of social support, exercise and dietary changes, and stress management skills on daily functioning in individuals with OCD. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed. Keywords: Obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD, SSRI, CBT, exposure, coping, anxiety

Book Reviews: Family Stress Management: A Contextual Approach (2nd ed.) (2002). Pauline Boss, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 217 pp., $46.95 (softbound). Reviewed by Edward P. Cannon

Book Reviews: Family Stress Management: A Contextual Approach (2nd ed.) (2002). Pauline Boss, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 217 pp., $46.95 (softbound). Reviewed by Edward P. Cannon