Psychosocial Well-being Of Children Research Articles

The Psychosocial Wellbeing of Children with Disabilities in Inclusive Secondary School Education Settings

Purpose. This study examined the psychosocial wellbeing of children with disabilities in inclusive secondary school education setting in Tanzania. The study particularly aimed to explore the psychosocial challenges which children with disabilities face in inclusive secondary school settings, leading to psycho-social impacts on their learning and wellbeing. Methodology. The study employed a mixed methods approach, adopting a case study design. Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from 49 students with special needs, 7 special needs education teachers, and 35 regular teachers. Results. The study findings revealed that teachers had low expectations on the academic performance of the students with disabilities, consequently rendering them little support in inclusive classrooms. Additionally, discrimination, stigmatisation were issues faced by students with disabilities in inclusive education settings which adversely affected their psychosocial wellbeing. The study recommends awareness creation among the students and regular teachers about the learning needs of children with disabilities in inclusive schools. Conclusions. The study recommends providing regular teachers who are not knowledgeable about the academic needs of students with disabilities in inclusive education settings with training and providing psychosocial support to students with special needs in inclusive education contexts.

Cyborg Children: A Systematic Literature Review on the Experience of Children Using Extended Reality.

This literature review presents a comprehensive and systematic account of research on the experiences of children with extended reality (XR), including VR, AR, and other types of immersive technologies that enhance and augment children's activities. The search on Scopus and Web of Science produced 531 outputs. Content analysis with inter-rater reliability (Krippendorff's α) and Leximancer, a software for text mining, were used for analyzing the material. Four research strands were identified: (1) interventions, treatments, and medical procedures in clinical contexts; (2) teaching and learning enhanced by XR; (3) children's adoption and user experiences; (4) design and prototyping of XR hardware and software for children. The results showed the following findings: (a) studies on children's clinical interventions and treatments using HMD-supported immersive virtual reality comprise the most substantial strand of studies; (b) research in this area, and in teaching and learning studies, has grown dramatically since 2017, while the other areas have been stagnant over the years; (c) AR research is still limited and is mainly applied in educational contexts for design and prototyping; (d) few studies have considered children's perspectives on XR safety issues; (e) research on the use of XR for enhancing social and emotional skills development is underrepresented. Future research should focus on the potential of XR technologies for interventions to enhance children's psychosocial wellbeing and health more broadly. The further implications and study limitations for the fast-developing nature of this transdisciplinary research field are also discussed.

Behind Closed Doors: The Hidden Realities of Indian Children Living With Alcohol-Dependent Parents.

The negative impact of Paternal Alcohol Use Disorder (PAUD) on children's psychosocial well-being is an overlooked issue that warrants more global research attention. Alcohol dependence is often seen as a hidden problem with subtle yet harmful effects, especially on the children of those with alcohol dependence. These children often remain invisible due to their loyalty and unwillingness to disclose their dysfunctional family situation. However, in the Indian context, these invisible children receive limited and insufficient support. This study aims to narrate the profound experiences of children growing up with fathers with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), highlighting the challenges of invisibility and the support they receive within the Indian cultural context. The study used a qualitative narrative research design, with a panel of child psychology experts selecting 12 participants aged 11-13 years. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and a semi-structured interview guide. The data collected were transcribed from the local language into English and analyzed using narrative thematic analysis. The study revealed how PAUD negatively influences children's experiences and societal norms surrounding family honour and reputation. It also sheds light on the children's reluctance to seek help due to stigmatization, the circumstances that compel them to disclose their problems, and the support they receive to cope with these challenges. This study highlights the critical need for culturally specific interventions and support mechanisms in India to address the psychosocial challenges faced by children, emphasizing the importance of societal acknowledgment and strategic interventions to alleviate the detrimental impact of parental AUD on child well-being.

Reported Intergenerational Transmission of Parent Weight Talk and Links with Child Health and Wellbeing

ObjectivesTo examine if intergenerational transmission of parent weight talk occurs and the contextual factors prompting weight talk, and whether parent weight talk is associated with child weight, dietary intake, psychosocial outcomes, and food parenting practices. Study designChildren ages 5-9 and their families (n=1307) from six racial and ethnic groups (African-American, Hispanic, Hmong, Native American, Somali/Ethiopian, White) were recruited for a longitudinal cohort study through primary care clinics in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota from 2016 through 2019. Parents filled out surveys at two time points, 18 months apart. Adjusted regression models examined associations of interest. ResultsIntergenerational transmission of parent weight talk was observed. In addition, significant associations were found between parent engagement in weight talk and higher weight status and poorer psychosocial outcomes in children 18 months later. Parent engagement in weight talk was also associated with more restrictive food parenting practices 18 months later. ConclusionsParents’ exposure to weight talk as children increased the likelihood of engaging in weight talk with their own children and had harmful associations over time with parent restrictive feeding practices, child weight, and psychosocial wellbeing in children. Health care providers may want to consider both modeling positive health-focused conversations and educating parents about the potential harmful and long-lasting consequences of engaging in weight talk with their children.

ENHANCING CHILDREN’S SAFETY AND WELLBEING: EXPLORING THE ROLE OF A NEW SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMME IN FREE STATE TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS

In response to the pervasive violence affecting children's psychosocial wellbeing in South Africa, the Adopt-a-School Foundation introduced the Thari programme, targeting behavioural challenges that manifest in gangs, substance abuse and classroom disruptions. This article presents findings from a pilot project in Botshabelo, Free State, where gangsterism, academic struggles and social issues prevailed. The main study used an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design (qualitative/quantitative), but this article reports only on a part of the qualitative data from group and individual interviews that explored participants' perspectives. The study focused on children's behavioural challenges and observed school changes during implementation of the Thari programme. Results show a notable reduction in gangsterism and psychosocial issues, leading to decreased disruptive behaviour among children and highlighting improved behaviour after the introduction of psychosocial services. Keywords: child and youth care worker, psychosocial services, school safety, school social work, vulnerable children

Marital conflict and adolescent’s psycho-social well-being: Mediation and moderation analysis

The research relevance is determined by the direct impact of marital conflicts on the psycho-emotional state of a child, particularly a teenager. The study aims to identify the variables capable of influencing the relationship between the tendency of marital conflict and the psycho-social well-being of children, and to determine the mediating and moderating role of the identified variables. The study was conducted in several stages. The first stage of the study identified variables capable of influencing the relationship between marital conflict and adolescents' psycho-social well-being. The second stage of the study analysed the mediating and moderating nature of the mentioned variables using a questionnaire. Results emphasize the ability to influence certain aspects of marital relations in Georgian society on various aspects of the lives of its members. The research found that the parents’ financial situation, the feeling of their and their children’s psycho-social support and the change in the functioning of the parents' family in Georgia derives from the family conflict index and is reflected in the deterioration of the adolescent's psycho-social well-being. As for the parenting style, which did not acquire a mediating and moderating role in the research, it can be related to the cultural peculiarity and defined as the interest of future research. On the one hand, it contributes to the expansion of theoretical knowledge in the field of family psychology, and on the other hand, it provides important information for the use of research results, which is one of the first steps forward for the study of the family and the use of therapeutic purposes

Reduced Psychosocial Well-Being among the Children of Women with Early-Onset Breast Cancer.

Approximately 27% of female breast cancer patients are diagnosed before the age of 55, a group often comprising mothers with young children. Maternal psychosocial well-being significantly impacts these children's psychosocial well-being. This study assesses the well-being of children with mothers who have early-onset breast cancer. We examined the eldest child (up to 15 years old) of women with nonmetastatic breast cancer (<55 years old, mean age: 40) enrolled in the mother-child rehab program 'get well together'. Using maternal reports on children's well-being (the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire; SDQ), we describe the prevalence of abnormally high SDQ scores and identify protective and risk factors via linear regression. The mean SDQ scores of 496 children (4-15 years old, mean age: 8) fell below the thresholds, indicating psychosocial deficits. However, most SDQ scores deviated negatively from the general population, especially for emotional problems, with one in ten children displaying high and one in five displaying very high deficits. Female sex, more siblings, a positive family environment and maternal psychosocial well-being were protective factors for children's psychosocial well-being. Children of mothers with breast cancer may benefit from improved maternal well-being and family support. Further research is needed to identify appropriate interventions.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on healthy of children and families in Italy. Qualitative EPaS-ISS study

Abstract Background This study is the qualitative component of a national research carried out in collaboration with the WHO/Europe Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative. The aim was to explore the COVID-19 pandemic effects on health behaviours, needs, and psychosocial resources of children and their family in Italy. Methods According to the convergent parallel mixed-method, this qualitative study was carried out simultaneously with the quantitative one. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit parents, teachers, key respondents and children. The data were collected by online focus groups (FG) except the FG with children. FGs transcriptions were analysed through a categorical approach using NVivo. Results Six FGs were conducted between April-May 2022 (65 adults; 14 children). Participants highlight how the pandemic had consequences at multiple levels: individual, family, community and social. At the individual level, data showed how thinning out interpersonal relationships and emotional experiences affected children's psychosocial well-being and learning. As for nutrition, it was observed that food was used as both an emotional comfort (e.g. snack consumption) and an opportunity for family aggregation. The ban on going out and social distancing penalized movement and sport. The lack of physical activity and changes in daily routines also affected sleeping. The screen exposure increased due to distance learning and video calls; parents reported excessive use of video games and a difficulty in limiting screen time. The impact of the closures on foreign children and from deprived backgrounds, including school dropouts, was also an issue. Creative play, care of plants and animals, and activities with the family were some of the resources emerging. Conclusions Qualitative perspective enriches research on changes in children and families’ habits during the pandemic, showing needs and difficulties and suggesting some necessary actions for the health and education systems. Key messages • The COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on children that might persist beyond the pandemic period. • Health and education policies must offer a compensatory response to the children and families’ needs.

The impact of clinical trial participation on quality of life and psychosocial well-being in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their parents

Clinical trials provide Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients access to medication. Nevertheless, such involvement can impose certain burdens, as the protocol may entail strict adherence and additional demands. This study assessed the psychosocial functioning and quality of life in boys with DMD and their parents who participate in clinical trials. DMD families participating in clinical trials (n = 25) and families with DMD patients not involved in clinical trials (N = 18) were included. Questionnaires assessing psychosocial well-being and quality of life were completed by the participants and their parents. MANOVAs were employed to compare outcomes between groups. The results showed that mothers in the clinical trial group experienced significantly higher scores of somatic complaints. Fathers in the clinical trial group reported significantly fewer psychological issues compared to fathers from the other group. DMD patients participating in clinical trials reported a better overall and emotional quality of life compared to them not involved in clinical trials. This study suggests that clinical trial participation may have positive effects on quality of life and psychosocial outcomes. It highlights the importance of providing support and counseling throughout the clinical trial decision making process to minimize potential burden for both eligible and ineligible patients.

The association between parent-child quality time and children's flourishing level

PurposeFew studies have examined the association between parental quality time and flourishing measures in young children. This study explored the association between parental quality time and children's flourishing in a national sample of USA children 1–5 years of age. Design and methodsA cross sectional study using data from the 2019–2020 National Survey of Children's Health (N = 17,855). Flourishing was measured with a composite score (values 0–4) derived from 4 questions on attachment with parent, resilience, learning, and contentment with life. Having all 4 items was optimal. Parent-child quality time per week was measured with 3 items: singing or storytelling, reading to child, and family meal with child; using a 4-point scale: 0 days, 1–3 days, 4–6 days, and every day/week. Multivariable logistic regression models were conducted to assess the odds of lower flourishing in SAS 9.4. ResultsAfter controlling for confounding, only the lack of singing and storytelling were negatively associated with greater odds of lower levels of flourishing (0–2 items OR = 5.06, 95% CI 2.11–12.14; 3 items OR = 2.92, 95% CI 1.73–4.93). ConclusionsInsufficient parent-child quality time is associated with lower flourishing levels. Fostering parental opportunities to engage in weekly quality time with their children should be a priority of child health programs seeking to improve child flourishing. Practice implicationsNurses should provide guidance to parents on ways to nurture quality family time and promote children's psychosocial, environmental, and physical well-being. Nurses can advocate for programmatic and policy changes to ensure familial work/life balance and licensing/accreditation of all child centers.

Effectiveness of the caregiver support intervention on child psychosocial wellbeing among Syrian refugees in Lebanon: Mediation and secondary analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundWar and violence have a serious negative impact on the wellbeing and mental health of many children. Caregivers play an important role in mitigating or exacerbating this impact. ObjectiveThis study evaluates the impact of the nine session Caregiver Support Intervention on improving children's wellbeing and examines putative mediators of changes in children's psychosocial wellbeing. Participants and setting240 female caregivers were randomly allocated (1:1) to the CSI or a waitlist control comparison condition. The study was implemented in Lebanon, in an area characterized by high levels of poverty and a high number of the Syrian refugees. MethodsA parallel group Randomized Controlled Trial reporting on caregiver-reported child-level wellbeing. We used a combination of the Kid- and Kiddy-KINDL (parent version) for index children ages three to 12. Putative mediators of the CSI on children's psychosocial wellbeing included harsh parenting, caregiver psychological distress, caregiver wellbeing. Measurements were conducted at baseline, post-intervention and 3-months follow-up. ResultsWe demonstrated a statistically significant change in caregiver reported children's psychosocial wellbeing at post-intervention (Mdiff =4.39, 95 % CI = 1.12, 7.65, p < 0.01, d = 0.28) but not at follow-up (Mdiff = −0.97, 95 % CI = -4.27, 2.32, p > 0.05). The proportion of the total effect of the CSI intervention on child psychosocial wellbeing mediated by caregiver distress, caregiver wellbeing and harsh parenting was 77 %. ConclusionThe CSI holds potential for down-stream short-term effect on improving children's psychosocial wellbeing, beyond the previously reported positive caregiver outcomes. This effect was not sustained three months post intervention. The study confirms caregiver wellbeing and parenting support as dual pathways mediating child psychosocial wellbeing.Prospective trial registration: ISRCTN22321773

Implications of intergenerational trauma: Associations between caregiver ACEs and child internalizing symptoms in an urban African American sample.

The link between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and negative mental health outcomes is well established. However, the intergenerational link between caregiver ACE history and their child's psychosocial outcomes is understudied, particularly within minoritized groups. This study aimed to delineate relations between caregiver ACE exposure and their child's depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms by proposing a serial mediation of caregiver PTSD, family management problems, and child ACEs. Two hundred seventy-three caregiver (Mage = 39.27; 88% female) and adolescent (Mage = 14.26; 57% female) dyads from low-income urban communities completed electronic questionnaires measuring PTSD symptoms and ACEs. Child participants also completed a measure of depression and family management problems. Regression and serial mediation analyses were conducted to examine associations among these variables. Caregiver ACEs were significantly associated with their child's PTSD symptoms but were not related to their child's depression scores. Serial mediation analyses indicated that child ACEs mediated the relation between caregiver ACEs and their child's PTSD symptoms. Evidence for an overall indirect effect via caregiver PTSD, family management problems, and child ACEs was not found. No indirect effects between caregiver ACEs and child depression were found. Findings demonstrate that higher levels of caregiver ACE exposure are associated with their child's PTSD symptoms in a sample of African American dyads living in urban, high-burden communities. These results suggest a need for ACE screening during medical visits and provides guidance for future clinical interventions. The distinct intergenerational consequences for caregivers with ACEs and their children's psychosocial wellbeing warrant further study. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

P-383 The risks and opportunities of building a family at an advanced parental age: A systematic review

Abstract Study question What empirical evidence exists on the well-being and psycho-social health of couples who become parents at an advanced age and their children? Summary answer Empirical evidence mostly focus on the well-being and psycho-social health of offspring (psychotic disorders, (neuro-)developmental disorders) and only little knowledge exists about their parents’ well-being. What is known already In many societies, people tend to have children at an increasingly advanced age and there is increasing attention in the medical literature towards the consequences of this trend. This systematic review is the first one to critically synthesize the existing empirical literature on the psycho-social health and well-being of parents who had their children from the age 40 onwards and their offspring. Study design, size, duration We conducted a Systematic Review and registered its protocol in Prospero (CRD42022304564). The search strategy was designed based on a Population-Context-Outcome (PCO) structure, an adaptation of the traditional Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome (PICO) scheme to fit the specific aims of our study. The search was conducted in six electronic databases (namely Pubmed incl. MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, PsycInfo, CINAHL and SocINDEX) and was limited to include empirical studies published between 01.01.2000 and 31.12.2021. Participants/materials, setting, methods Studies included are empirical studies – qualitative or quantitative – where subjects were children born to 40+ parents and their parents. Studies either examined the well-being and psycho-social health of parents and/or their children or focused on the social and ethical discussions surrounding risk and benefits of advanced parental age for parents and/or the offspring. Main results and the role of chance 5’403 articles were identified, leaving 2’543 after the removal of duplicates and 98 after the screening of titles and abstracts to be included for a full-text screening. Thereafter another 30 additional articles were excluded because they did not fulfil the inclusion criteria. Simultaneously, citation searching brought up 10 additional articles to include, of which 4 were in line with the defined inclusion criteria, leading to 69 total articles included in the final sample of the present systematic review. The key results concern four aspects relevant for the research question: (1) studies show discrepancies in defining who is a parent of advanced parental age (APA); (2) there is an imbalance in the empirical evidence produced for different participant groups (e.g. mothers, fathers, offspring); (3) aspects of wellbeing (e.g. psychotic disorders, (neuro-)developmental disorders, general well-being) discussed for the specific participant group studied; and (4) a narrative synthesis of the advantages and disadvantages related to psycho-social health and wellbeing for the specific participant group. Limitations, reasons for caution Only empirical studies in English, published between 01.01.2000 and 31.12.2021 were included in this review. Also, the review focuses only on empirical evidence produced in studies where parents were 40 years or older at the time of birth. Wider implications of the findings There are many aspects of the well-being of children born by older parents which remain unknown, thus requiring more research (esp. on psychosocial wellbeing of children) to understand the (non-medico-somatic) risks and benefits of becoming parents at an older age and designing evidence-informed policies. Trial registration number Not applicable

Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Children's Psychosocial Well-Being: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia.

Background The impact of COVID-19 on children is a vital topic to cover since the quarantine lasted for months, and limited research explored this effect locally in Arab countries. We studied the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on the psychosocial well-being ofchildrenaged 1-18 years who were living in Saudi Arabia during the time of the pandemic. Method A total of 387 participants' responses were collected using online questionnaires (valid and reliable) composed of three sections with open and close-ended questions by the child's legal guardians. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Saudi Arabia and targeted children aged 1-18 years of both gendersusing a convenience sampling technique. One questionnaire assessed the child's behavior and sleep pattern, while the other evaluated child's activity and social skills. We analyzed the data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Half of the children were1-6 years (196; 50.6%), and the caregivers of more than half (225; 58.2%) were mothers. Two-thirds (234; 60.5%) of the children were male. Apart from a poor appetite for food and eating (non-nutritional) junk food, which was not significant (p-value > 0.05), all other factors,behavior, sleep patterns, activity, and social skills, all other factors were significantly affected by COVID-19 (p<0.05). Conclusion This study found that the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on children's psychosocial well-being.It is recommended to implement actions that aim to enhance the ability of children to cope with challenges.

Memojis Pain Scale: A novel pain assessment tool.

Dental pain exerts a considerable impact on the psychosocial well-being of children; reliable management of pain depends on the ability to assess pain intensity. To validate and compare a new memojis pain assessment scale with the Faces Pain Scale-Revised (FPS-R) and Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBFPS) in assessing dental pain experienced by children. Two hundred and fifty healthy children aged 5-9 years without any past dental experience and requiring local anaesthesia (LA) administration were recruited. Three different scales [FPS-R, WBFPS and Memojis Pain Scale (MPS)] were applied to assess the children's pain during LA administration. The preferences of each child based on the ease of understanding the faces were recorded. Pearson correlation test was performed to determine the correlation between MPS with WBFPS and MPS with FPS-R. A strong correlation was seen when comparing MPS with WBFPS (r= .966; p< .001) and MPS with FPS-R (r= .969; p< .001), and 81.6% of the children preferred MPS. The Memojis Pain Scale was an effective pain assessment tool. It can be employed as an alternative scale for pain assessment in children.

Adverse effect of lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic: increased incidence of pediatric crisis admissions due to eating disorders and adolescent intoxications.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, admission rates for eating disorders and intentional intoxications showed a substantial increase, indicating a high burden of pediatric psychiatric diseases. •The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on psychosocial wellbeing in children and adolescents. •There was an increase in admissions due to psychosocial problems in the Netherlands in the period after the pandemic. • This was mainly caused by an increase in crisis admissions due to eating disorders and intoxications in adolescents.

The Psychosocial Well-being of Children with Fragile X Syndrome: Psychopathology, Autism Spectrum Disorder Comorbidity and the Role of Caregivers' Perceived Social Support

Objective: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a rare genetic disease that can have several intellectual and developmental disabilities. Here, we aim to examine psychopathology in children with FXS and investigate the relationship between children's psychosocial well-being and socio-demographic factors, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comorbidity, and the type and level of caregivers' perceived social support. Materials and Method: Twenty-six children aged 5-18 years with FXS and 26 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were included. DSM-5-based clinical interviews were conducted with all participants. We also collected parent ratings of health-related quality of life indexes and perceived social support levels and types. Results: The mean age of children with FXS was 10.9 ± 3.5 years, and the mean age of healthy comparisons (HC, n= 26) was 11.8 ± 2.6 years. In the FXS group, 84.6% had comorbid psychiatric disorders, and 65.3% had intellectual disability. FXS group displayed lower psychosocial and total quality of life scores than the HC group. Also, there was significant positive correlations between childrens' psychosocial well-being and "significant others" (rp = 0.502, p = 0.009) and total perceived support scores (rp = 0.448, p = 0.022). The most influential factor related to the psychosocial well-being in children with FXS was ASD comorbidity (F= 30.6, R2, 0.543, p&lt;0.001). Conclusion: Providing support to mothers of children with FXS may positively affect the children's health outcomes, especially psychosocial well-being.

Reliability of three pain assessment tools in children requiring dental treatment: A comparative clinical study.

The appropriate intervention of pain is based on its accurate evaluation, which is a challenge in the pediatric population as they often do not have the language development or cognitive sophistication to describe it correctly. Untreated pain has a negative impact on the psychosocial well-being of children. The study aimed to evaluate and compare the reliability of different pain assessment scales, namely, the Wong Baker Facial Pain Rating scale (WBFPS), Modified Emoji Pain Scale (MEPS), and indigenously developed indigenously made GIF Pain Scale (SPGPS) in children undergoing dental treatment under local anesthesia (LA). The study included 152 children aged 4-6 years with a Frankl behavior rating of score 3 and 4 (positive and definitely positive) requiring dental treatment under LA. After local infiltration, each child with two independent observers was asked to record the response of the current pain on the WBFPS, MEPS, and SPGPS. The reliability of the pain scales was assessed on the basis of similar responses given by all three individuals. The Pearson correlation test was performed to determine the correlation among the scales. A very strong correlation was found between the WBFPS and SPGPS (r = 0.848), while a moderate correlation was found among the WBFPS and MEPS (r = 0.691). A strong correlation was found between the SPGPS and MEPS (r = 0.723). The SPGPS proved to be a more reliable pain assessment tool compared to the WBFPS and MEPS in clinical pediatric dentistry.

The Correlation Between Father Involvement and The Academic Achievement of Their Children: Meta-Analysis

Parental involvement is an important factor in students’ achievement, and numerous studies have shown that it increases students’ success. As research on father’s involvement has become one of the current topics in education today, there is a need to separate the effect exercised by fathers from the overall family one. The aim of this study is to synthesize various studies which have focused on different aspects of fathers’ involvement; therefore, a meta-analysis would be an ideal method to create a synthesis of these perspectives and provide one general measure of fathers’ involvement effect. Nine studies have been included in the meta-analysis, where fathers’ involvement has been operationalized through father’s involvement in: education of children at school and at home, psychosocial well-being of children, modelling of behavior and leisure activities. The results show that the total measure of effect size differs from zero after applying the fixed model (z=13.510, p=0.000) and the random effect model (z=4.588, p=0.000), that is, there is a statistically significant positive correlation between the involvement of fathers and the academic success of their children. The value of the heterogeneity test (Q=66.560, df=8, p=.000, I2=87.981) indicates that the overall effect can be viewed according to the assumptions of the random effects model. The conducted meta-analysis has confirmed the assumption that fathers’ involvement is positively related to children’s academic performance.

Predictors of Parent-Infant Bonding Among Postpartum Chinese Mothers and Fathers.

The emotional bond that parents feel with their child is a crucial determinant of the child's psychosocial well-being and future development. Few studies have evaluated the predictive roles of depressive symptoms, relationship satisfaction, and family sense of coherence in the quality of parent-infant bonding for both parents during the perinatal period. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive effects of depressive symptoms, relationship satisfaction, and family sense of coherence during pregnancy; changes thereof from pregnancy to 6 weeks postpartum; and the partner's bond with the infant on the quality of parent-infant bonding at 6 weeks postpartum in Chinese mothers and fathers. This was a secondary analysis of data from an intervention study. A convenience sample of 231 Chinese childbearing couples was recruited from the antenatal clinics of public hospitals in Hong Kong. Parent-infant bonding, depressive symptoms, relationship satisfaction, and family sense of coherence were measured using the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and Family Sense of Coherence Scale during pregnancy and at 6 weeks postpartum. The findings indicated that higher depressive symptoms during pregnancy and poor partner bonding with the infant were the major predictors of impaired parent-infant bonding at 6 weeks postpartum for both parents. Prenatal relationship satisfaction was not a significant predictor of parent-infant bonding at 6 weeks postpartum for either parent. Prenatal family sense of coherence was a strong predictor of parent-infant bonding for mothers but not for fathers. The findings highlight the significant effects of depressive symptoms, family sense of coherence, and the partner's bond with the infant on parent-infant bonding during the perinatal period. Comprehensive early prenatal programs that promote parental well-being and strengthen family sense of coherence should be integrated into existing perinatal services to promote the quality of parent-infant bonding for both parents.