Strong Family Bonds Research Articles

Family Social Capital and Sustainable Well-Being: Navigating Chinese Adolescents’ Well-Being During COVID-19 Lockdown

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread disruption as governments took actions to limit the spread of the virus. Measures such as physical distancing and lockdowns changed living conditions, leading to challenges such as social isolation and reduced connectedness. This study explores COVID-19’s impact on adolescents’ well-being, emphasising family social capital, which refers to supportive adult-child relationships that foster well-being and enhance remote learning. Quantitative data was collected through an online survey from August 2022 to August 2023, involving 4008 students and 3511 parents. Semi-structured interviews with six students and their parents (either the mother or the father) provided in-depth insights into the perceived role of family social capital in shaping adolescents’ well-being during quarantine. Quantitative data revealed that parental education level significantly influenced adolescents’ self-reported well-being and resilience, and family income influenced parents’ perceptions of their children’s well-being. Qualitative data highlighted the importance of strong family bonds, effective parent-child relationships, and robust family support in mitigating the adverse effects of prolonged home quarantine. The research also discovered the role of adolescents’ agency in building social capital through web-based communities. The study contributes to understanding Chinese adolescents’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing implications for supporting their well-being in the post-pandemic era.

A qualitative study of psychological stress and coping among persons using crack cocaine

BackgroundResearch has identified a strong link between stress and drug use behaviours. Also, it has been established that the prolonged use of crack cocaine stimulates emotional, cognitive, neurological and social changes. This paper explores the psychological stressors that occur from crack cocaine use and the coping mechanisms used to mitigate them. This will provide an understanding of the intricate relationship between substance use and psychological well-being.MethodologyThe study is qualitative and uses a descriptive phenomenological approach. The coping circumplex model is the theoretical model that underpins the study. Data was collected through 26 face-to-face in-depth semi-structured interviews with people who use crack cocaine. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Participants consisted of 15 males and 11 females between the ages of 24–57 years, guaranteeing multiplicity within the study sample.ResultsCravings, financial burdens, relationship breakdown and emotional /cognitive stimulation were revealed as psychological stressors. Maladaptive coping which includes self-harm, isolation, not speaking about/not dealing with emotions and using substances were adopted by study participants. Also, positive coping such as seeking help and keeping busy were adopted by study participants. Social and environmental factors such as stigma, easy accessibility of crack and flashbacks served as barriers to positive coping. Positive coping was linked to the availability and easy accessibility to social support and strong family bonds, underlining the importance of accessible support systems in managing the challenges linked with crack cocaine use.ConclusionThe challenges faced by study participants in coping with the psychological stressors linked to their crack cocaine use highlight the importance of adopting personalised and comprehensive strategies to tackle the intricate dynamics between psychological stress, coping and crack cocaine use.

Factors Affecting the Happiness of Learners in Higher Education: Attitude, Grade Point Average, and Time Management

Student well-being is essential for academic achievement and personal growth. Fostering happiness among university students is crucial for individual development, strong family bonds, a harmonious society, and national progress. This study aimed to identify key determinants of student happiness in higher education. Eight factors, including GPA, workload, family support, university environment, attitude, motivation, time management, and social relationships, were examined among 388 Thai students using an online survey. Students were categorized into distinct groups based on these factors using k-means clustering. ANOVA was employed to assess whether these factors significantly differentiated the groups, and significant factors were further analyzed using regression analysis to confirm their impact on student happiness. A neural network analysis was also utilized to evaluate the relative importance of each factor. The results revealed that attitude, GPA, and time management significantly affected student happiness. A positive attitude fosters a sense of opportunity and achievement, a high GPA reflects academic success and enhances self-confidence, and effective time management reduces stress while allowing more time for enjoyable activities.

Pencegahan Kekerasan terhadap Anak: Sebuah Perspektif Psikologis tentang Ketahanan Keluarga

Abstract. Child abuse, with its devastating physical and psychological consequences, underscores the critical need for protective family environments. This study employed a literature review to explore the psychological underpinnings of family resilience as a preventive strategy. The research aimed to identify and delve into the physical, social, psychological, and spiritual dimensions of family resilience in relation to child abuse prevention. A systematic literature review was performed, searching for relevant publications, including books, journal articles, and conference proceedings, using Google Scholar. Findings emphasize a holistic approach to building family resilience, encompassing physical health, strong family bonds, effective stress management, emotional regulation, and spiritual grounding. These components collectively contribute to a protective environment that shields children from abuse.

Effects of Family Culture and Marital Decisions of the Business Owners on Access to Financing of Very Small Businesses

Purpose: This study seeks to examine the effects of family culture (presence during family meetings, assistance in important family events, and strong family bonds) as well as marital decisions (mutual participation, joint savings decisions, and joint ventures) on access to financing of very small businesses in the North West Region of Cameroon. Methods: The study used a series of exogenous and control variables adapted from the model of Gikonyo, Agwata, & Anyango (2011) who proposed a strategic model for quantitative research. Primary data were collected through convenient sampling from 293 very small business owners in each divisional headquarters of the North West Region of Cameroon. We used the multiple correspondence analysis to construct indexes for family culture, marital decisions as well as access to financing of very small businesses. The hypotheses of the study were then tested using the ordinary least square estimation technique. Results: The results obtained showed in aggregate, a positive and significant effect of family culture and marital decisions on access to financing. More precisely, the coefficients of presence during family meetings, assistance in important family events as well as strong family bonds are positive. These results were statistically significant at 1% level. Implications: This study has significant practical implications on the financial health of very small businesses in the context of developing countries like Cameroon in general and the North West Region of Cameroon in particular plagued by the crisis and COVID-19. The study therefore concluded that if very small business owners can improve on the respect of family cultures and can jointly decide on their financial actions with their spouses, they will have better access to financing, especially in developing countries like Cameroon and more particularly in the North West Region of the country.

Psychological aspects of peacekeeping missions

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

Adolescence Substance Use Prevention Strategies: A Review of Key Interventions

The rise in the prevalence of substance use among adolescents has triggered researchers for more studies on substance use and intervention strategies. The aim of the review is to provide a synthesis of effective preventive strategies in the face of multiple and variant literature on adolescent substance use data. A Google Scholar, and PUBMED academic literature published in English from 2012 to 2022 were included. A Google search of Keywords for the search were adolescent, substance use and preventive strategies. The described principles of prevention science provide examples of efficacious preventive interventions. It describes challenges and potential solutions necessary to take efficacious prevention policies and programs. It tends to scale and conclude with recommendations on how to reduce the burden of adolescent substance use mortality and morbidity worldwide through preventive interventions. Effective strategies share common goals with strengthening ‘protective factors,’ such as well-developed social skills, strong family bonds, attachment, active involvement, community, and religious organizations, while reducing ‘risk factors’ that increase vulnerability to substance use. In conclusion, several strategies are positive and effective, while some lack acceptable evidence for interventions. These attributes can help resource-constrained nations mount effective control measures against substance use. Keywords: Adolescence; Intervention; Substance Use; Strategies.

Personalization as a Strategic Political Tool on Social Media: The Curious Case of VP Kamala Harris on Twitter

Social media have reinvigorated the shift of focus from a party-centered politics to a personality-based one. This has made how politicians personalize on social media, especially in government, consequential for them and their administration. Vice presidents across the globe, especially in the United States, play crucial constitutional roles central to the country’s political discourse. Though they are ignored in the extant literature, their rhetoric has ramifications for contemporary democracy. Using a multimodal rhetorical approach, I analyze Vice President Kamala Harris’s tweets (n = 357) in her first year of office to understand how she constructs her public image through personalization. Results indicated that she displayed strong family bonds, reflected on her education and its influence, her historical accomplishments, as well as her emotional moments. I discuss the implications of the image she constructs in this present study.

Build the Strong Family Bonds That Lead to Business Success

Build the Strong Family Bonds That Lead to Business Success

Settlement Dynamics and Factors Affecting Residence Selection in Population Density Settlements

Settlements are one of the fundamental necessities of life. The functions of settlements go far beyond just providing a place for rest and shelter. Settlements serve as spaces where social interactions occur, relationships between individuals and groups develop, and community identities are formed. Ngagelrejo is located in the densely populated Wonokromo district of Surabaya, and despite its high population density, it is an area that is in great demand for residential purposes. When considering land ownership status, the entire area consists of land without citizen ownership titles, commonly referred to as "surat ijo" or green certificates. The purpose of this research is to understand the reasons why people choose to reside in densely populated areas. The research methodology employed is a qualitative phenomenological approach. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation. Triangulation and in-depth interviews were conducted to ensure the validity of the data. The results of the study indicate that the choice of living in a densely populated area is primarily influenced by strong family and friendship bonds. The location of the residence is relatively close to workplaces, providing convenience and compatibility with the surroundings. Additionally, the price of land in this area is lower compared to other areas in the city of Surabaya.

One Father’s Journey Toward Peace: Integrating the Qur’an Into Narrative Therapy to Address Loss From Parent–Child Estrangement

Islamic culture values strong family bonds and rupturing family relations is not often an option for family members, leading to estrangement. For Muslim parents, the failed familial repair, compounded with estrangement, may lead to isolation and become an obstacle to seeking therapeutic aid. Teaming a non-pathologizing intervention of narrative therapy (NT) with a bibliotherapy tool, the Qur’an can be explored as a therapeutic support. NT guides individuals to share their dominant problem-saturated narratives as the clinician listens for alternate strength-based narratives. This case study will augment NT to include the Qur’an as a bibliotherapy tool in reconstructing a father’s journey of loss as he seeks resolution and meaning from his daughter’s permanent estrangement. Pairing NT and the Qur’an to reshape the father’s loss narratives aids in externalizing the problem narrative and reconstructing a meaning-making narrative.

THE HARMONY OF FAMILISM AND FEMINISM IN BIOPIC ON THE BASIS OF SEX

The family is the smallest domain in which patriarchal practices occur, and women become the subjugated object. On the other hand, the biopic film On the Basis of Sex, set in the 1950s, depicts a married couple who mutually support one another. This familism principle, in contrast to the patriarchal principle of the early twentieth century, distinguishes the Ginsburgs as a unique family. The research discussion progresses to how familism is maintained, which resulted in Ruth, the wife's, success in achieving her education and career with the support of her husband. In order to answer the research questions, familism and feminism theories are used. The findings show that the couple prioritizes family over self-interest because they value family interconnectedness; they believe family as source of emotional support; they want to maintain family honor; they want to obtain family benefit; and they want to fulfil family obligations. The idealism leads them to the practice of feminism, which takes place both in the domestic and public spheres. As a result, it was found that strong family bonds can be used to break the patriarchal tradition by implementing feminist practices.

The Need for Interventions to Reduce Time Spent on Social Media and Strengthening of Family Relationships in University Students

Pakistan is known for its strong family bonds. University students need strong support from their families for the maintenance of ethics, health and production. However, there is fear that greater use of social media is contributing to the weakening of family relations. This research aims to identify the relationship between time spent on social media and the quality of family relationships of university students. A total of 200 students were sampled. Welch ANOVA showed that the mean difference of family relations to social media usage was statistically significant, Fw (3,92.91) = 8.258, p<0.01 and the Games Howell post hoc test reveals that the quality of family relations was significantly lower when social media usage is more than 5 hours (21.8 +- 11.1). The paper discusses possible interventions to reduce social media usage and improve family quality time, which can be helpful for policymakers, psychologists, social workers, and social welfare officers.

Caregiver’s Burden Among Families of Hemodialysis Patient: a Cross-Sectional Study

Background: The end-stage renal disease affects almost every aspect of the patients' and caregivers' lives. Several studies have been conducted to explore the experiences of family caregivers in caring for hemodialysis patients. However, a survey of the burden of family caregivers has yet to be conducted in Indonesia, a country with strong family bonds among family members. Purpose: This study aimed to identify the burden among family caregivers of hemodialysis patients. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study conducted in May 2021 on 60 family caregivers of hemodialysis patients. selected using a purposive sampling technique. Semi structured questionnaires were used to measure socio-demographic. The Caregiver Reaction Assessment-Indonesian Version (CRA-ID) was used to measure their burden. Data were analyzed using descriptive analyzes and bivariate analyzes. Results: Women represented 65% (n=39) of participants, married participants were 83.3% (n=50), and were 63.3% employed (n=38). Most of them have minimum family income (51.7%). The least common association of caregivers was the spouses of the patients (n=32, 53.3%). The analysis showed that the mean overall burden score with CRA-ID was 2.88±0.69 (ranging 1.00 to 5.00). The highest burden was the lack of family support dimension of 3.47±0.42. Caregiver burden among caregivers of patients on hemodialysis showed that the variables related to family burden were age, an education level, and family income (p-value<0,05). Conclusion: Caregivers of hemodialysis patients carry a significant burden. Interventions to provide appropriate social support to patients and increase caregivers' psychological conditions are critical.

Parents as New Frontliners of Education: Their Role to Students’ Learning in the New Normal

This qualitative research using a phenomenological approach revealed the experiences of parents as they facilitate learning at home in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The key informants of this study were the parents of Tandag National Science National High School. They were purposely chosen as those who are working and have spouses who were working too. To gather the data, one-on-one interviews were done. The results revealed that parents have done preparations in adjusting to the new learning process such as purchasing gadgets, accounting for the usability of gadgets, arranging a conducive learning environment, providing school supplies and snacks, and attending programs relative to the new normal learning. By doing these preparations, will allow learners to learn better. As parents facilitate learning at home, they built rules for learners to follow, utilized the internet as a source of information, helped the learners understand difficult topics, sought help from a more knowledgeable person and minded the health condition of the learners. Knowing how to facilitate learning at home would prevent learners to have stress. The results of the study further revealed that having parents as facilitators of learning at home has its own advantages which include stronger family bonds, increased parental involvement in students’ learning, and developing learners’ independence. On the other hand, it has also its own disadvantages which include a lack of time management to meet the demands of work and learners’ educational needs and a lack of parent pedagogical content knowledge. The study further revealed that when it comes to programs and mechanisms the parents emphasized the importance of teachers’ constant communication, convenience, and accessibility of digital module, fostering teachers’ approachability, effective monthly update meeting of students’ progress, and involvement of subject teachers in monitoring tools.

The experience of mothers as university students and pre-service teachers during Covid-19: recommendations for ongoing support

ABSTRACT When the Covid-19 pandemic hit Australia in 2020, lockdown restrictions meant that the lives of tertiary students and mothers underwent substantial adjustment. Universities quickly adapted to full online learning with implications for accessibility and efficacy of online technologies, and home environments suitable for learning. Mothers who were studying at university had to readjust their study, work, care and home responsibilities to home-school their children around others in the home, further complicating the boundaries of work/family life. This study aimed to understand how Covid-19 affected mothers as pre-service teaching students within a university education faculty, exploring mothers’ perceptions of university supports and their effectiveness. Eight mothers participated in the study using narrative inquiry and feminist methodology. The data shows effects of the pandemic were both negative (heightened stress, financial strain, less sleep) and positive (stronger family bonds, partners more involved in childcare). Recommendations for improved supports do not only apply within a pandemic context, and include opportunities for affordable childcare, more flexible study options and more financial incentives. Overall, universities need to acknowledge mothers as an important demographic who have caring responsibilities, and work to ensure a more equitable experience for this marginalised group of students.

THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF RELIGIOUS BELIEF ON SOLDIERS WELL-BEING AND FAMILY BONDING DURING MILITARY DEPLOYMENT

Military deployments are events and stressors that begin when the soldiers are deployed and end when they return home and reintegrate back into their families and communities. Religious belief accepts the basic social-value system's moral legitimacy, which serves as a crucial component of strong family bonds. Family bonding can be defined as a feeling of closeness and caring toward one's parents, which is manifested in the family through ostensible supervision, communication, involvement, and cooperative activities. This study was conducted using 384 usable data gathered from soldiers who served in various ships of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Analyzing the validity and reliability of the instrument and hence testing the research hypotheses, used SmartPLS version 3.2.8 to construct structural equation modeling. The results of path model analysis revealed two important findings: firstly, the soldier well-being (family supports', medium of communication, and personal financial) significantly correlated with religious belief; secondly, the religious belief complementary mediated the relationship between soldier well-being and family bonding. Statistically, this finding suggests that properly managing soldiers' religious beliefs act as an essential mediator between well-being aspects such as family support, medium of communication, personal finance, and family bonding. This study contributes to understanding how soldier well-being factors can strengthen family bonding among soldiers by soldier’s religious belief as a mediator in this relationship. These findings prove that the importance of a soldier’s religious belief is instilled into every soldier. Discussion, ramifications, and a conclusion are also included.

The public health role of maternity support workers

Most of the work of midwives and obstetricians is directed at improving pregnancy outcomes. Part of this work is built on the public health strategy developed by the national health services around the UK. Pregnancy and early parenthood are times when expectant and new parents are receptive to public health information. Midwives and maternity support workers work together to convey public health messages. The positive outcomes of this work include reductions in rates of stillbirth, preterm birth and low-birthweight babies. Other outcomes are increased parental satisfaction, stronger family bonds and better family health. Specialist and consultant midwives' views on the role of maternity support workers in public health are included in this paper.

Psychometric analysis of the Greek version of the Sibling Relationship Questionnaire

Siblings’ relationships are determinants of emotional and personal development. Although Greece is assumed a country with strong family bonds, no empirical research in this area exists; one of the reasons being the lack of reliable instruments. The SRQ is a widely used scale to measure this relationship. The aim of the present study was to translateand examine the psychometric properties of SRQ. One hundred and eighty five children and adolescents were recruited. Concurrent validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and agreement between parents-children versions of the translated scale were investigated. Concurrent validity ranged from 0.29 to 0.68, the overall internal consistency was 0.86 and the test-retest reliability ranged from 0.58 to 0.78. Agreement between children-parents versions was significant only when mothers do the rating. Confirmatory factor analysis for the two important dimensions Warmth/Closeness and Conflict, which have been identified in the original study it shows that they are also present also in the Greek version. Thus, the Greek version of SRQ is a valid and reliable instrument to be used within the Greek population, for multinational clinical research and for comparison with findings from other countries.

Contemporary Homeschool Models and the Values and Beliefs of Home Educator Associations: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACTHome education support groups and associations are increasingly becoming hubs for home learning communities to share resources and knowledge. This literature review examined (a) motivations for joining homeschool groups; (b) values and beliefs that led to the formation of homeschool groups; and (c) how the culture of homeschool groups aids in children’s development. Findings indicated that homeschool families sought groups to share resources, expertise, and common values. Values included the desire for strong family bonds, teaching faith, closely guided social interaction, and responsive pedagogy. Home educators believed that public schooling cannot meet those values. Implications suggest the need for more empirical research exploring how the culture of homeschool groups shapes the development of its members, and additionally, what public education can learn from these alternative educational models.