Family Structure Factors Research Articles

Family dysfunction is associated with chronic pain in a community-dwelling Japanese population: The Hisayama study.

Poor family functioning has been reported to be associated with the severity of chronic pain in outpatients, but the association has not been fully addressed in general populations. The present study aimed to examine the association between family dysfunction levels and the presence of chronic pain in a community-dwelling Japanese population. A total of 2598 participants aged ≥40 years were classified as having healthy, borderline or unhealthy family functioning. Chronic pain was defined as subjective pain for three months or longer, and further classified by pain intensity, the number of chronic pain sites, pain duration and the extent of pain spread. A logistic regression model was used to compute the odds ratios (ORs) for chronic pain outcomes. The prevalence of chronic pain was 49%. The age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of total and severe chronic pain were increased significantly with increasing family dysfunction levels (all p for trend <0.01). After adjusting for sociodemographic, physical, social and family structure factors, the ORs (95% confidence intervals [CI]) for having chronic pain among borderline and unhealthy groups were 1.20 (1.01-1.44) and 1.43 (1.15-1.79), respectively, as compared with a healthy family function group. The association was stronger among people who were employed and those who were living with their children. In addition, the ORs for severe chronic pain increased significantly with increasing levels of family dysfunction. The family dysfunction level was positively associated with the presence as well as the severity of chronic pain in a community-dwelling population. A biopsychosocial burden due to family relationships could worsen the clinical presentation of pain. Social support or family therapy for dysfunctional families would be a potential initiative for the prevention or management of chronic pain.

Relationship between Academic Stress and Emotional Intelligence in High School Students

Background Academic stress is a mental distress originated from the anticipated frustration associated with academic failure. Whereas, emotional intelligence (EI) is a characteristic of an individual that determines the degree, and intensity with which they are able to understand and accept one’s own emotions as well as that of others. Aim and Objective The broad aim of the present study was to investigate an empirical-based examination of the relationship among academic stress and EI in high school students. The objectives of the study were to ascertain if there exist any gender, family structure and single child differences between academic stress and EI. Method This study is based on a quantitative analysis of the data. To collect validated data, purposive sampling was taken from varied streams and family structure of the age group 16 to 18-years; with no gender disparity. Student Academic Stress Scale (SASS) and emotional intelligence test (EIT) were used in this research. The data obtained was further validated through statistical techniques of correlation and analysis of variance (ANOVA) methods. Results The results showed an inverse correlation between EI and academic stress in high school students. The study also revealed single child and family structure factors are associated with the level of EI and showed an impact on academic stress of high school students.

Mükerrer Suçluluk, Davranım Bozukluğu ve Antisosyal Kişilik Bozukluğu’nun Ortak Değişkenleri Üzerine Bir Derleme

In this study, the relationship of repeated criminality with psychopathological disorders such as Behavioral Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder was investigated. Within the scope of the study, it was mentioned about the individuals who were diagnosed with Conduct Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder, their crime rates, what kind of crimes they tend to commit, and the studies examining crime patterns. The relationship between Antisocial Personality Disorder and repeated guilt has been addressed in the light of longitudinal studies. In this study; The mechanisms that affect the repetitive pattern of crime were evaluated by taking into account psychological disorders such as Conduct Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder. In the study, the common risk factors of the Conduct Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder; Various factors such as age status, quality of the first crime committed, family attitude, family structure factors, socioeconomic factors, intelligence and school success were examined. In addition, in this study, Lifelong Criminology Theories are included in this study in order to examine the relation of the concept of antisociality with the repeated criminality. Integrated Cognitive Antisocial Potential Theory (ICAP) and Developmental Taxonomy Theory, which are among the Lifelong Criminology Theories; By addressing the factors that affect the development of repetitive criminality through the concept of antisociality, it helps to establish the relationship between the two concepts on more solid foundations.

Mediating Factors of Family Structure and Early Home-leaving: A Replication and Extension of van den Berg, Kalmijn, and Leopold (2018).

Young adults from non-intact families are more likely to leave the parental home at an early age than are young adults from intact families. While this association is well established in the existing literature, the underling mechanisms remain puzzling. In a recent investigation with prospective data from the SOEP (van den Berg et al. in Eur J Popul 34(5):873-900, 2018. 10.1007/s10680-017-9461-1), a large share of the effect of family structure on early home-leaving remained unexplained, in particular for stepfamilies. This study draws on longitudinal data from the German Family Panel (pairfam) to replicate and extend the analyses of van den Berg et al. (Eur J Popul 34(5):873-900, 2018. 10.1007/s10680-017-9461-1). The quality of the stepfather-child relationship, as well as parental monitoring and support, is added to existing analyses. However, an extended assessment of social resources does not seem to substantially help explain the association between family structure and early home-leaving.

Characterization of suicidal behavior among children in a depressive episode: case series study.

Child suicidal behavior is related to specific childhood variations, constituting risk factors, including predisposing factors, internal factors, and environmental factors. To characterize suicidal behavior among children aged 5 to 12 years diagnosed with a depressive episode. Fifteen participants, aged 5 to 12, were assessed at a child and adolescent mental health center in Belo Horizonte, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. All participants had a history of suicide attempt and were in a depressive episode at the time of assessment. Vulnerabilities related to the children themselves were self-harm, aggression, loss of an important family figure, sexual abuse, sexuality disorders, use of alcohol or other drugs, and ill-treatment. Factors of family structure and dynamics found were psychiatric illness in family members, family conflict or violence, abandonment or rejection, history of suicidal behavior in family, parents users of alcohol and other drugs, and separated parents. Factors related to school were bullying, school difficulties/delays, high school performance, bad behavior, physical aggression, school dropout, and aggressiveness. The main methods used in suicide attempts were injury by sharp or blunt objects and intentional self-poisoning. Psychiatric comorbidities and a previous history of disturbances in the family and at school are important factors to consider with relation to suicidal behavior by children with depressive episodes.

Family functioning evaluated by family members of older patients and nurses in emergency departments

The functioning of families in emergency departments (EDs) encompasses the level at which the families of older patients perform as a whole during the ED stay. Currently, little is known about how the families of older patients function in EDs. In this study, family functioning included the subareas of family strengths, structural factors and relationships both inside and outside the family. The study aimed to describe family functioning in EDs as evaluated by both the family members (n=111) of older patients and nurses (n=93). The data were collected from four Estonian hospitals, and the scale used was the Family Functioning, Health and Social Support scale. The results showed that both the family members and nurses evaluated family functioning and all its subareas as being moderate. Family structural factors were found to be associated with the family members' social status. The scores in the subareas were higher when older patients had received help from family members before the ED visit. The family members and nurses differed significantly in the scores they gave for family functioning in general and for all the subareas. No association was found between family functioning as rated by nurses and the families' demographic characteristics. These results suggest that nurses should pay more attention to family functioning in general and to the structural factors within the family, including internal relationships, while older patients are in the ED. Comprehensive knowledge about how families function during an ED stay may help nurses to better meet the needs of older patients and their families and help them to prepare families to provide aftercare at home. Our findings support the idea that healthcare organisation and delivery should be more family centred.

Liberdade em Clausura

artigo aborda a vida religiosa feminina em clausura no Brasil, buscando identificarelementos que motivam mulheres, ainda hoje, a escolher esse estilo de vida. O trabalhoempírico foi desenvolvido junto a um mosteiro de monjas da Ordem das CarmelitasDescalças, no estado de São Paulo. Aplicou-se um questionário a toda a população domosteiro. Histórias de vida foram obtidas por meio de entrevistas presenciais realizadascom cinco monjas. Partiu-se do princípio de que essas mulheres realizam livremente aopção de viver em clausura. Fatores biográficos e da estrutura familiar, bem como umapossível ausência de perspectiva na vida dessas mulheres aparecem, porém, comoelementos definidores de suas escolhas. As monjas, no entanto, nas conversas, visitas eentrevistas realizadas, afirmam-se mais livres em seu mundo restrito, enclausuradas, doque as pessoas que vivem no mundo. Esse sentimento delas está expresso no título: Liberdade em clausura. Teoricamente, a análise do material coletado orienta-se pelasinterrogações de gênero, enfatizando os mecanismos de controle eclesiástico sobre omosteiro, as normas estritas da clausura, diferentemente do que ocorre com mosteirosmasculinos.

The protective factors of family structure on child depression: Focusing on parental emotional support and community support

The protective factors of family structure on child depression: Focusing on parental emotional support and community support

The protective factors of family structure on child depression: Focusing on parental emotional support and community support

The protective factors of family structure on child depression: Focusing on parental emotional support and community support

Determinants of perceived health in families of patients with heart disease.

Heart disease is a severe long-term illness, which often requires lifestyle changes and self-care and affects the life of the whole family. Perceived family health is highly complex. It combines people's values and everyday experiences, such as knowledge about their own health, what they do to promote their health, how their life progresses, and how they feel physically and emotionally. The aim of this paper is to report a study to describe the perceived health of families of patients with heart disease and to ascertain factors related to family health. Data were collected by questionnaire with a convenience sample of 161 family members of patients receiving treatment on two medical wards of a university hospital in southern Finland. Data were analysed using means and medians and tested by parametric and non-parametric tests. A stepwise regression analysis was also used. The most important predictors of family health were family structural factors, effect of illness symptoms on daily life, and family relationships. The strongest predictor was family structural factors. It was found that the better the family structure and relationships, the better the family health. Similarly, the greater the effect of the illness on the patient's daily life, the worse the family health. The findings suggest that supporting family functioning in the families of people with heart disease is an important challenge for family nursing.

The Influence of Prescription Drug Use on Long‐Term Care Insurance Ownership

AbstractLong‐term care insurance (LTCI) can be an effective way of protecting individual assets from nonacute medical costs not covered by traditional health insurance. Prior research suggests a number of economic, health, and family structure factors related to the decision to purchase LTCI. Theories that health and income shocks precipitate precautionary saving introduce the possibility that prescription drug use may also play a role in such decisions. Findings that poor health increases the propensity to insure against risk in asset holdings provide another possible relation to LTCI. This study extends prior research to investigate the link between the routine use of prescription drugs and the decision to purchase LTCI. Using data from the Health and Retirement Survey, logistic regression is employed to test the significance of LTCI policy ownership determinants. In addition to lending empirical support to theories on intrafamily moral hazard, results indicate that there is a positive relationship between routine drug use and LTCI purchase decisions.

Personal characteristics of adolescent prostitutes and rearing attitudes of their parents: a structural equation model

The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of family structure, personality traits, and other variables among adolescent prostitutes. The subjects comprised 158 adolescent prostitutes in a halfway house as the case group and 65 high school girls as the control group. Data were collected by using questionnaires about demographic information, the Junior Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the Parental Bonding Instrument. A high rate of tobacco, alcohol and drug use was found in the case group. Numerous factors distinguished the cause–effect relationship among adolescent prostitutes. Of all risk factors studied, maternal protection, paternal care, neurotic characteristics, tobacco use, discontinuous schooling and a dysfunctional family had the most direct effect. These results provide useful information for the evaluation of and interventions with adolescent prostitution.

The gendered nature of men's filial care.

This paper investigates sociodemographic and family structure factors that predict men's involvement (n = 773) in different gendered dimensions of filial caregiving: traditionally male, gender neutral, and traditionally female care. The concepts that guide this research relate to family obligations or motivations to provide care, specifically, commitment to care, legitimate excuses, and caring by default. Data for this research come from the Work and Family Survey (1991-1993) conducted by the Work and Eldercare Research Group of CARNET: The Canadian Aging Research Network. Although such factors as geographic proximity and sibling network composition predict men's involvement independent of the type of task, the gendered nature of the task is important in how other factors, such as filial obligation, parental status, education, and income influence involvement in care. The findings suggest that, for traditionally male tasks, legitimate excuses or a commitment to care may play a more minor role in influencing men's involvement than is true for traditionally female tasks. Overall, this research demonstrates the importance of examining the gendered nature of the care tasks and highlights the value of the conceptual framework for explaining variations in men's filial care.

Introduction: Dimensions of Children’s Inequality

INTRODUCTIONIn the last third of the 20th century, children's special protected status has been affirmed by nearly every nation (UNICEF 2002). Yet throughout the world, are still more likely to live in poverty than are adults (European Commission 2001). Some national governments have attempted to reduce and eliminate childhood poverty. In 1964 the American President Johnson launched 'War on Poverty.' In 1975 the European Commission created its first European Poverty Program, and the British Labour Party under the leadership of Tony Blair took child poverty pledge in 2001, aiming at bringing another million out of poverty in the UK by 2005 (Lemann 1998; Gauthier 1996; BBC 2001). The United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child had been signed by every nation, signifying their intention to eliminate child poverty and create a world fit for children (UNICEF 2002a). Despite these political efforts, poverty still affects one child out of four in the United States, and one child out of five in the United Kingdom. Globally, the World Bank estimated that 1.2 billion people world-wide were living in poverty in 1998 - large proportion of which was (World Bank 2002).Poverty is, however, only one dimension of inequality. In recent decades, the political discourse has endorsed larger definition of inequality, going beyond monetary definition of poverty, and referring more broadly to the right to health and education, and equal social participation. For example, the United Nations and other organizations have called for the elimination of discrimination against children, as well as women and girls, and the elimination of racial discrimination - all obvious forms of inequality (UNFPA 2000; UN 2001 ; UNICEF 2002a). And the European Union has mandated the elimination of social exclusion as part of its 1999 Treaty of Amsterdam (EU 2002). The mandate to combat these inequalities is broadly construed, including addressing such problems as unemployment, low levels of education, school drop-out, and occupational training, low incomes, poor housing, high crime rates, poor health and family breakdown (UK Social Exclusion Unit 2001 ; UNICEF 2002a).While social scientists have long studied the economic well-being of and have in fact been responsible for bringing children's problems to the attention of politicians, they have only recently begun to measure children's status using more complex and nuanced methodologies (Mauser, Brown, and Presser 1997). Our intention in this volume is to bring together some of these new measures and methods for studying and inequality.The articles included in this special issue all examine specific dimensions of inequality among children, ranging from the traditional monetary dimension to issues of health, schooling, and public resources, and the intervening factors of family structure and resources. In this introduction to the special issue, we discuss the dimensions of inequality that serve to group the articles included in the volume - dynamic measures of income inequality, inequality in health and education, particularly by gender and ethnicity, and finally, multi-dimensional measure of social exclusion. In doing so, we intend to point out the unique insights provided . by viewing children's inequality through different lenses. We go on to discuss the policy implications suggested by these studies and others that address children, families, and inequality.MEASURING INEQUALITYWhen different dimensions of inequality are considered, measuring inequality becomes more complex. Measuring inequality has been the subject of numerous recent books and articles (Bradbury and Jantti 1999; Ringen 1988; Vleminckx and Smeeding 2001). We summarize here three approaches in an attempt to map some of the between and within-country variations, as well as locating the contribution of each paper in this special issue.INCOME-BASED ENEQUALITYChildren's economic well-being generally depends upon their parent's income. …

Family factors associated with the use of psychotropic drugs, alcohol abuse, and minor psychiatric morbidity in the community

The association of family health and family structure factors with psychotropic drug consumption, alcohol abuse, and minor psychiatric morbidity was investigated in a representative community sample of 151 respondents by means of a logistic multiple regression analysis. A General Health Questionnaire GHQ score of 5 or above was best predicted by undesirable events, sex, the number of generations, marital status, and the number of family members with a high GHQ score. Psychotropic drug consumption was best predicted by the number of family members with distress manifestations, while alcohol abuse in men was predicted best by events of the exit type.

Lineage Structure, Marriage and the Family Amongst the Central Bantu

Using the factors of family structure examined by Audrey Richards in a well-known essay, this article suggests that a more productive concept for the historical study of Central Africa than either the unique tribe or a group of societies identified by their rule of descent may be the lineage mode of production, in the restricted sense developed by P. P. Rey. Analysis of the organization of political, economic and ritual functions among the BaKongo, BaSuku, BaPende and other Zairean peoples shows the complementarity and flexibility of patrilateral and materilateral relationships. It is suggested that the greater ‘quantity’ of social structure exhibited by coastal peoples, as well as their matrilineal development, may result from the prolonged effects of the great Congo trade, especially the trade in slaves, modifying an old and generally bilateral system organized by networks of permanent matrimonial alliance. This system is characteristic of the Congo basin, Zimbabwe and Angola.

Three Sets of Ordered Variables and Their Association to the American College Test Scores

Declines in college entrance examination test scores have been documented both on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the American College Testing Program (ACT). Sources of such declines seem to be functions of three main contexts: (a) school-related factors, (b) student-related factors, and (c) family structure-related factors. It was found that academic course taking had the greatest partial regression coefficient. Next in predictive power was the level of educational aspiration of the student. Size of school was negatively associated with composite ACT scores. Student-related factors comprised the most significant context of association. More modest support was demonstrated for school-related factors. Family structure factors did not appear significantly related to composite ACT scores.

Sixteenth Emil A. Gutheil Memorial Conference. Factors influencing sexual behavior in our future society.

The paper is concerned with some of the factors that will probably influence sexual behavior at the end of this century and in the beginning of the next. These include changes in family structure, marriage, male-female relationships, effects of large organizations on male-female role playing, mass increase in population, anticipated food shortages, and the effects of forced leisure.