Family Organization Research Articles

From Marginalized to Strength: Socio-Ecological Coping Strategies of Older Korean Americans with Language Barriers and Healthcare Needs

This study, with research questions guided by the socio-ecological model, examined how ethnic minority older adults with limited English proficiency navigate cultural and language barriers in their daily lives, relationships, and healthcare interactions, and what challenges and strategies emerge in their efforts while living in the U.S. Individual in-depth interviews with Korean American older adults with limited English proficiency and chronic medical conditions (N = 12) were conducted over a 90-day period between November 2023 and January 2024. Using the thematic analysis technique of constant comparative method, data analysis identified 9 coping strategies, which were organized into four levels: (1) individual-level strategies (resilience in self-management); (2) family-level strategies (prioritizing family in health decisions, mitigating acculturative hurdles, and avoiding burdening family); (3) co-ethnic peer-level strategies (reciprocal information sharing and expectations of cohesion); and (4) community-level strategies (reliance on Korean-speaking healthcare providers, community services, and religious groups). The findings highlight the importance of culturally tailored services and balanced support from family, peers, and community organizations to ensure equitable healthcare access among older ethnic immigrants. Future research should explore in what ways these findings may apply to other ethnic immigrant groups in the U.S. in efforts to develop interventions toward improving health and social outcomes.

Exploring family models and SDG number five in picture books. Dialogical alternatives for secondary education

IntroductionThis contribution addresses the controversy that often surrounds the educational treatment of new family models. The literature, as a medium of fiction based on reality, reflects social changes, including the organization of families. Promoting gender equality—Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number five (United Nations)—is closely linked to understanding these new family structures. In this context, picture books—powerful literary resources that combine images and words—should be used to expose students to new realities and raise awareness of diversity, thereby fostering tolerance and respect.MethodThis study analyzes several picture books, including classics like King and King and more recent titles like Well done Mummy. The analysis will focus on their format and content to determine their suitability for secondary school classrooms, discuss family models, and raise awareness, potentially changing attitudes. Following the analysis, we explore how to incorporate these books into educational sequences, highlighting the use of dialogical discussions to promote critical thinking.ResultsThe results of this contribution will include a list of suggested picture books, an evaluation of their suitability, and proposed didactic strategies.DiscussionThese aspects will strengthen the classroom treatment of this controversial topic, helping students grow holistically through axiological aspects and the development of SDG number five: gender equality. Additionally, this study will confirm the relevance of using picture books in the classroom within the context of liquid modernity, where audiovisual elements are key motivators for students.

Deconstruction and Remodelling: A Grounded Theory Exploration of the Family Resilience of Disabled Elderly People in China.

This study aims to understand the family experiences of disabled elderly people facing adversity from the perspective of family resilience and to develop a theoretical model to explain the constitution of family resilience. Family resilience is the ability of families to cope with, adapt to, and recover from significant stressors and challenges. Although some studies have focused on disabled elderly people, the components of their family resilience have received little attention. A grounded theory. A total of 30 participants were selected by theoretical sampling, and all participants were from families with disabled elderly people in Chengdu, China. Data were obtained via semi-structured interviews. The COREQ checklist for qualitative research was followed. A theoretical model of family resilience for disabled elderly people was established based on three categories: family organisation, family beliefs, and family relationships. Family organisations include the organisation model and resources; family beliefs include coping styles and adversity remodelling; and family relationships include communication and atmosphere. These categories suggest that there are several similar components of family resilience for disabled elderly people, which can be used to understand how families cope with this challenging experience by adjusting their roles, resources, and perspectives. Our findings are believed to offer significant theoretical and practical implications for improving the resilience and well-being of families with disabled elderly members, improving the effectiveness of caregiving services, and guiding strategies for disabled elderly individuals, their families, caregivers, and researchers. Healthcare professionals must recognise that disability impacts not only the individual but also the entire family system. The process of disability is slowed by early intervention, and psychological counselling services are provided to relieve stress and anxiety. Training in practical skills can be provided to build social support networks to help them cope with challenges.

Gender Aware Therapy Based on Mubadalah for Family Resilience Pasca Domestic Violence

This research is motivated by the phenomenon of widespread domestic violence which has an impact on failure in the family and psychological problems faced by children. Domestic violence is showing an alarming increase and has an impact on the loss of family unity, so it is necessary to have family functioning in facing difficulties to maintain family integrity after domestic violence. The aim of the research is to find out how mubjadi-based gender aware therapy works for family resilience after domestic violence. This research is qualitative research. The subjects in the research were one family after domestic violence. Data collection methods use interviews, observation and documentation. The data analysis used is data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The research results show that family resilience after domestic violence can be seen from key family processes for adapting to situations after domestic violence. Key family processes involve three components, namely belief systems, family organization patterns, and communication processes. Meanwhile, mubjadi-based gender aware therapy for family resilience is implemented through the stages of problem conceptualization, counseling intervention and termination. In counseling interventions, how to get along between husband and wife in a good way (husnu al mu'asyarah), letting each other go (at taradhi), discussing to reach an agreement (al musyawarah), helping each other (at taawun), and understanding each other is practiced. each other (husnu at tafahum).

A study on the Practical Group work to Enhance the Resilience of "Quasi-Family" Children's Welfare Institutions

Orphans and disabled children are a special group of children, and the welfare of orphans and disabled children is an important part of the social security system. At present, there are mainly institutional care, foster family care, "quasi-family" care, and adoption. Among them, "quasi-family" is an innovative model that recruits loving and responsible parents from the society to form a simulated family to raise orphans and disabled children, which supplements the family support that children lack and allows them to grow up in a warm and loving life and interaction. However, in practice, it is also found that the "quasi-family" parenting model still has problems in family organization model, family belief system, family communication ability, etc. Therefore, using group work methods, guided by family resilience theory, and starting from the perspective of strengths, professional social work services are provided to quasi-family, promoting changes in quasi-family belief system, organization model and communication status, so as to improve the quality of raising orphans and disabled children.

Критериальное поле и диагностические инструменты определения эмоционального благополучия детей дошкольного возраста в семье и образовательной организации

<p>The article is devoted to the important problem of identification of the emotional well-being of preschool children in the family and educational organization. Basing on the analysis of existing approaches to this problem in Russian psychological and pedagogical science, the authors have identified the criteria field of the concept of "emotional well-being", which is a complex level structure of interrelated criteria and indicators: emotional background (manifestation of emotions), the ability to control emotions (emotional stability) and emotional perception of situations (emotional attitude to situations and events). Such manifestations in the behavior and activities of a child, depending on the conditions of his life in a family or educational organization, are negative or positive. The complexity of the concept of "emotional well-being" and the criteria field of its identification in childhood requires an integrated approach to the development of diagnostic tools. The authors announced a developed set of diagnostic tools, which includes methods that allow to record external indicators of the emotional state of a child, to identify the child's internal emotional attitude to current or predicted events, as well as to obtain an external indirect assessment of the child's subjective state and the child's subjective attitude to situations in the family and educational organization. It is noted that the announced methods can be used in the practice of preschool education in order to support psychological and pedagogical development of preschool children including various target groups, as well as in the targeted psychological assistance of families with preschool children.</p>

Evaluate the Knowledge about the WHO- Recommended Antenatal Visits among Antenatal Mothers in the Outpatient Department

One of the most crucial aspects of the World Health Organization's family welfare program in India is the promotion of maternal and child health. ANC is the care given to women during pregnancy to ensure that both the mother and the kid remain healthy. Reducing infant and mother mortality and morbidity as well as promoting, protecting, and preventing maternal and perinatal health are beneficial for the long-term growth and development of the nation. Sadly, a lot of women in underdeveloped nations do not get this kind of care.  Objectives: Assess the knowledge of WHO recommended ANC visit among pregnant women..  Methodology:  Research Approach: Qualitative study,  Research Design: Descriptive study,  Population: Antenatal mothers Antenatal mothers who are attending OPD.  Sample Size: The sample size consider of 30 antenatal mothers.  Sample Technique: Non probability sampling convenient sampling techniques adopted in this study.  Result: This study had given some clues that majority 22 (74%) of them had moderate knowledge. 6 (20%) of them had inadequate knowledge, 2(7%) of them had adequate knowledge about antenatal mothers.  Conclusion: This study experiences helped the investigator to spell out some recommendations and develop a self- instructional module so as to improve the knowledge about antenatal mothers.

SOCIAL NETWORKS OF CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES

This paper examines the social networks of children and parents of single-parent households, focusing on the special challenges and resources that characterize these families. Single-parent households face a specific set of challenges like financial stress and social isolation that can powerfully influence the well-being of both children and parents. We explore these questions using a mixed-methods approach that combines in-depth qualitative interviews and surveys to understand the structure and functioning of these networks in terms of emotional, social, and practical support. The great majority of children in single-parent families rely on relationships within peer groups, which are essential for children both as sources of emotional resilience and as reflecting their growing sense of social development. On the other hand, other networks for parents exist, such as extended family, friends, and community organizations, that are significant in reducing their levels of stress and sense of belonging. The study outlines how social support through community resources—the availability of local support groups, educational programs, and the like—can help fortify these social connections and family relationships. Ultimately, the study is looking to inform policymakers and practitioners about specific services single-parent families need, so that these can be leveraged in developing targeted interventions to strengthen familial and community relationships. Because we recognize and foster the social networks that are accessible to these families, we can be contributing to better outcomes for children and their parents.

Professional Ethics in the Commodity Economy

Research on professional ethics in the conditions of commodity economy aims to clarify the systematic transformation of natural functions into social tasks, thereby clarifying the moral life governed by standards and measured by money; profession is the object of life. The content of the article uses the methodology of humanistic and social philosophy, and combines qualitative methods in the study of moral life, in which humans are both the subject and the object of morality. The result has clarified the object of morality, which is the truth of life. However, the truth of life is standardized and measured by money, causing the truth to be distorted. Profession is joy, the mission of life, the truth, creativity, and freedom in profession, but working for money is suffering; that is, forced labor. The conclusion is that the right to own life in all species is the instinct of survival. Property rights make each individual a product of the family, religion, state, economic unit, and professional organization. Standards are the measure of occupation, and social status in the division of labor becomes the appropriation of money from each other, giving rise to class morality. The struggle is not to abolish humans but to abolish everything that is not human for sustainable development in a commodity economy.

Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in the offspring of parents with bipolar disorder and the impact of the family environment: A pilot study of the Reducing Unwanted Stress in the Home (RUSH) prevention program

BackgroundThe home environment of offspring of parents with bipolar disorder (OBD) has been characterized by high levels of stress and disorganization, which may impact development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and their subsequent risk for affective disorders. The present study examined the effects of a family-based preventative intervention on the OBD’s HPA axis functioning and whether intervention-related changes in the home environment might have driven change in the HPA axis. MethodsFifty-five children (6–11 years) were recruited from families having a parent with bipolar disorder (n=26) or families having two parents with no current mental disorders (n=29). Only those families with a parent having bipolar disorder participated in the preventative intervention. Both groups completed assessments at baseline, post-prevention, 3-, and 6-months post-prevention. At each assessment, family organization, control, cohesion, conflict, and expressiveness, in addition to childhood internalizing problems, were measured, and offspring saliva samples were collected across two consecutive days. ResultsHierarchical Linear Modelling found no significant differences in HPA axis functioning between groups at baseline or across time. Improvements in family organization, however, were associated with elevations in participants’ cortisol awakening response (CAR; p =.004) and total daily output (p =.023), and a steepening of their diurnal slope (p =.003) across time. Similar findings were obtained for family cohesion with respect to CAR (p <.001) and, to a lesser degree, diurnal slope (p =.064). DiscussionHPA axis functioning did not differ between the OBD and healthy controls at baseline or in response to the preventative intervention. However, intervention-related improvements in family organization and, to a lesser degree, cohesion, were associated with adaptive changes in HPA functioning over time.

Contraceptive risk events among family planning specialists: a cross sectional study

BackgroundProponents of abortion restriction cite advancements in contraceptive technology as a reason against the need for abortion care today, most recently through oral arguments in the Supreme Court of the United States case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health. However, consistent and correct use of contraception requires reproductive health literacy. Our objectives were to quantify contraceptive risk events and assess contraceptive history and preferences among a population well-equipped to evade contraceptive risks, family planning specialists following initiation of their medical training. “Risk events” are defined as reported episodes of contraceptive failure, emergency contraception use and/or unprotected or underprotected intercourse.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study among current members of a professional organization of family planning specialists. Inclusion criteria included: status as a current or retired clinician, consensual penile-vaginal intercourse and personal or partner capacity to become pregnant since the start of medical training. Descriptive statistics were performed. This study was IRB exempt.ResultsAmong 229 respondents, 157 (69%) reported experiencing a contraceptive risk event since training. Twenty-nine (13%) respondents reported an occurrence within the last year. By category, 47% (108/229; 3 reported unknown) reported under- or unprotected intercourse, 35% (81/229) reported emergency contraception use, and 52% of participants (117/227; 2 unknown) reported known or suspected contraceptive failure. The mean number of contraceptive methods used was 3.7 (SD 1.7) out of the 13 methods listed. Almost all (97%) participants reported at least one method was not an acceptable option, with a mean of 5.6 (SD 2.7) of the 13 listed methods.ConclusionsThe majority of family planning specialists have experienced contraceptive risk events during times of active pregnancy prevention since their medical training. Contraceptive method change is common and most respondents were limited in the number of methods that were personally acceptable to them. Dialogue idealizing the role of contraception in minimizing or eliminating abortion need is simplistic and inaccurately represents the lived realities of pregnancy-capable individuals and their partners, including among those with exceptional contraceptive literacy and access.

How Family Dynamics Shape Income Inequality Between Families With Young Children: The Case of Sweden, 1995–2018

AbstractIncreased gender equality in the labor market and the home are both cited as stabilizers to income inequality between households, but shifts in the economic organization of families over the life course instead appear to amplify household income inequality. Using the case of Sweden, where men have taken longer parental leave in recent years and the age at parenthood continues to advance, we analyze between‐family income inequality for couples with a young child. Based on income data from population registers, we decompose how changes in family dynamics, pre‐ and postparenthood, contributed to income inequality in families with children between the years 1995 and 2018. Analyses show no evidence that assortative mating has increased and that a minor decline in inequality between couples over this 24‐year period resulted from two opposing trends: Dis‐equalizing changes related to women's postbirth income advancements were eclipsed by equalizing changes related to the postponement of parenthood. Postbirth income trends reveal how between‐family inequality increased through women's income development and decreased through men's. Our findings confirm the importance of family processes to household inequality and show the complex effects of both changes in the timing of parenthood and improved gender equality.

Pengaruh Lingkungan Keluarga Terhadap Minat Melanjutkan Ke Perguruan Tinggi Bagi Siswa/i SMK Negeri 1 Cluwak

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the impact of family context on students' propensity to pursue higher education. The applied research methodology used in this investigation is quantitative, including the use of correlational techniques. This research includes a sample size of 23, consisting of class XI students at SMK Negeri 1 Cluwak. The data collection method uses a questionnaire as the main instrument. The results show that family organization has a major influence on students' desire to continue their education at tertiary level.

Assessing family relationships through drawing: the Family Life Space.

The Family Life Space (FLS) is a graphic instrument that may aid the relational assessment of families. This interactive instrument involves all members of the family in a joint task, that of collectively making a drawing of their own family system and it allows the gathering of information related to the overall family organization. The FLS was originally conceived by Danuta Mostwin in the early 70s and used as an instrument for clinical intervention. After having been applied to several contexts, the present contribution aims at presenting the key indicators to use the instrument as a tool for assessing family relations. Specifically, the characteristics of the instrument that allow the gathering of relevant information at the individual, relational, and family level will be outlined. For each of these levels, the data regarding the quantity and quality of the elements in the drawing that define the family space (i.e., the number and graphic quality of the actual elements in the drawing) as well the quantity and quality of the relationships among family members and with their community at large (i.e., the number and type of lines connecting the various elements in the drawing) will be presented. The instrument can therefore provide useful insights on the following constructs: quality of life, power dynamics within the family, feelings of belonging, closeness and/or distance as well as conflict or acknowledgement between family members and the overall attitude family members have toward their context and the critical events they had to face. The application and complete potential of the instrument are further elaborated upon through the presentation of a clinical case. This case not only aids in comprehending the tool's usage but also enables the collection of psychological information about the family and provides a clinical interpretation of family relationships.

Capturing the complexity of child behavior and caregiver-child interactions in the HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study using a rigorous and equitable approach

The HEALthy Brain and Child Development (HBCD) Study, a multi-site prospective longitudinal cohort study, will examine human brain, cognitive, behavioral, social, and emotional development beginning prenatally and planned through early childhood. This article outlines methodological considerations and the decision-making process for measurement selection for child behavior, parenting/caregiver-child interactions, and the family/home environment for HBCD. The decision-making process is detailed, including formation of a national workgroup (WG-BEH) that focused on developmentally appropriate measures that take a rigorous and equitable approach and aligned with HBCD objectives. Multi-level-observational and caregiver-report measures were deemed necessary for capturing the desired constructs across multiple contexts while balancing the nuance of observational data with pragmatic considerations. WG-BEH prioritized developmentally sensitive, validated assessments with psychometrics supporting use in diverse populations and focused on mechanistic linkages and prediction of desired constructs. Other considerations included participant burden and retention, staff training needs, and cultural sensitivity. Innovation was permitted when it was grounded in evidence and filled key gaps. Finally, this article describes the rationale for the selected constructs (e.g., temperament, social-emotional development, parenting behaviors, family organization) and corresponding measures chosen for HBCD visits from early infancy through 17 months of age.

Novel phage infecting the Roseobacter CHUG lineage reveals a diverse and globally distributed phage family.

The Roseobacter CHUG lineage, affiliated with the Pelagic Roseobacter Cluster (PRC), is widely distributed in the global oceans and is active in oligotrophic seawater. However, knowledge of the bacteriophages that infect CHUG members is limited. In this study, a CHUG phage, CRP-810, that infects the CHUG strain FZCC0198, was isolated and shown to have a novel genomic architecture. In addition, 251 uncultured viral genomes closely related to CRP-810 were recovered and included in the analyses. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that the CRP-810-type phages represent a new phage family containing at least eight genus-level subgroups. Members of this family were predicted to infect various marine bacteria. We also demonstrated that the CRP-810-type phages are widely distributed in global oceans and display distinct biogeographic patterns related to latitude. Collectively, this study provides important insights into the genomic organization, diversity, and ecology of a novel phage family that infect ecologically important bacteria in the global ocean.

An auto-ethnographic study of co-produced health research in a patient organisation: unpacking the good, the bad, and the unspoken

BackgroundIn rare diseases, limited access to services and rare disease experts may force families to act as medical advocates for their child; they can volunteer to support clinician-initiated research or initiate and lead research themselves. Ketotic Hypoglycemia International (KHI) is a new, global organization for families affected by idiopathic ketotic hypoglycemia (IKH) and is run solely by volunteers. Doing research together, families and international experts in a collaborative process such as at KHI, also referred to as patient and public involvement and engagement (PPIE) or extreme citizen science, is often praised for its positive effects on the research and the stakeholders involved.MethodsWe used auto-ethnographic narratives from parents and medical professionals in KHI to report on their experiences with co-produced health research. All co-authors wrote down their experiences in relation to three topics: time invested, work invested and power dynamics.ResultsWhilst the parents and health care professionals felt a new hope for (their) children with IKH, they also felt pressure to contribute time or to be flexible in how and when they dedicated time towards the organization. The power dynamics were characterised by a change in the relationship between the parents and medical experts; the parent being taught by the expert shifted to the expert learning from the lived experience of the parent. Both parents and medical experts struggled with maintaining boundaries and safeguarding their mental health.ConclusionOur findings call for the need to secure and prioritize funding for patient organizations, to enable them to create the sustainable architecture required for meaningful PPIE within these organizations. The morals and often deeply personal reasons for engaging with voluntary work in health research, can lead to overstepping of boundaries. As a result of our research, we call for the development of ethics of care guidelines within collaborative health research.

Looking beyond marital status: What we can learn from relationship status measures

AbstractObjectiveWith needed and growing attention to sexual minorities and unmarried individuals, there is a need to consider how best to capture relationships and relationship organization in family studies.BackgroundTraditional measures of marital status are commonly used to examine differences in relationships and socioeconomic outcomes, but they do not adequately capture the diversity of relationship experiences and leave certain types of relationship experiences invisible.MethodThis article examines the inclusion of a relationship measure in the American Marriage Survey, a national probability‐based sample of 2806 adults in the United States, to provide a more diverse and expansive perspective on relationships and relationship organization. While there is a great deal of overlap between those who are married or cohabiting (marital status) and those who are in an exclusive relationship (relationship status), there is also potential for variation in what kinds of relationships, if any, people are in.ResultsWe find that the relationship measure is particularly useful in showing that a majority of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and pansexual individuals are in an exclusive relationship and also that gender and sexual minorities are more likely than cisgender and heterosexual individuals to be in consensual nonmonogamous relationships. This article also provides direction on re‐coding open text responses from the relationship status measure.ConclusionWe conclude that a relationship status measure allows for greater inclusivity and visibility of sexual minorities and unmarried persons, including but not limited to queer individuals, families, and communities, as well as consensual nonmonogamous relationships.

Epidermolysis Bullosa in Spain: A Qualitative Analysis of Its Social Impact on Families With Diagnosed Minors.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) comprises a group of rare types of genodermatoses characterized by extreme mucocutaneous fragility, leading to blistering and/or erosions, even with minimal trauma. Continuous care through wound management is an integral part of daily life for the families and individuals affected. The aim of this study was to assess the social reality and impacts on families of having minor members diagnosed with EB in Spain. A qualitative methodology was employed, utilizing four focus groups entailing participation by 24 parents (19 mothers and five fathers) of minors diagnosed with EB in Spain. Negative impacts on the family nucleus were evident in four priority areas of analysis: sociorelational, economic-labour, physical and psychoemotional, with significant differences observed based on the severity of the symptoms. Impacts on the family nucleus are noticeable from birth, influencing all other daily life routines and complicating family planning and organization. There is an imperative need to enhance the availability of sociohealth resources and to adopt an interdisciplinary approach to address their biopsychosocial needs. The active participation of relatives of minors diagnosed with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is invaluable to sociohealth professionals, legislators and researchers. A team member conducts their professional activities at DEBRA España (national patient association dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with EB and their families), actively engaging in all study phases.

Parenting in African American families: Profiles of general and culturally specific dimensions of parent-adolescent relationships during late adolescence.

Developmental and parenting frameworks suggest that factors at the individual-level and multiple levels of adolescents' contexts are important determinants of how African American parents prepare their children to live in a racially stratified society. Using a person-centered approach, this study explored heterogeneity in profiles of African American parent-adolescent relationships (PARs) using indicators of parent-reported ethnic-racial socialization (cultural socialization, preparation for bias), general parenting practices (autonomy support, monitoring, behavioral control), and relationship quality (warmth, communication, conflict). We also examined how adolescents' characteristics, parents' personal and psychological resources, and contextual sources of stress and support contributed to profile membership. Data were from the Maryland Adolescent Development in Context Study (1991-2000) and consisted of 589 African American caregiver-adolescent dyads (caregivers: 89% female; 57.2% married; adolescents: 50.7% female; Mage = 17, SD = 0.64, range = 15-19 years old). Latent profile analysis revealed four profiles: (a) No-Nonsense High Socializers, (b) Indulgent Average Socializers, (c) Unengaged Silent Socializers, and (d) Authoritative Cultural Socializers. Adolescent characteristics (gender, depression, and problem behavior), parents' personal and psychological resources (parenting self-efficacy, centrality, private regard, and depression), and contextual sources of stress and support (stress: economic hardship, family stress, neighborhood disadvantage and support: marital status, family cohesion, family organization) were correlated with profile membership. Findings suggest that variability in African American PARs is shaped by an extensive set of individual and contextual factors related to adolescents and the family and neighborhood context. These findings have important implications for future research and how to target multiple potential levers for change in African American parenting practice.