Strong Family Ties Research Articles

Kunz and post-communist geographies of urban poverty in Romania

This article examines the spatial, social, economic, and civic dimensions of poverty in a post-communist Romanian city, focusing on the Kunz, an informal neighborhood in Timișoara. In Romanian, areas marked by concentrated poverty are pejoratively referred to as mahala, and internationally as, akin to the pejorative word, ‘slums’. This study sheds light on spatially concentrated poverty in post-communist cities through the lens of urban planning, citizenship, and environmental justice. Drawing on multiple research methods, the research reveals how environmental injustice is perpetuated by the lack of inclusive urban planning strategies, exacerbating existing poverty due to a continuous influx of impoverished populations from various regions. Exploiting legal uncertainties, these newcomers built homes without property deeds, subdividing older land plots. The strong socio-economic cohesion, basic urban infrastructure arrangements, temporary identity cards, and strong family ties within the community mitigate the fear of eviction from substandard housing. Economic crises generate a certain sense of security in the face of eviction as residents in these impoverished areas interpret crises as opportunities for safety. This sentiment prevails as substantial public investments are often delayed, reducing the likelihood of demolition and mass evictions, leaving the population nowhere else to turn.

Psychographic segmentation of alcohol quitters in behaviour change maintenance mode: utilisation of the activity interest opinion (AIO) framework

Purpose This study aims to cluster psychographic activities, interests and opinions of alcohol quitters in behaviour change maintenance mode to form segmentation bases for social policy and alcohol policy formulation that sustain the behaviour change. Design/methodology/approach A two-step cluster analysis was used to segment a cross-sectional sample of n = 501 former alcohol consumers based on their activity interest and opinion (AIO) framework through a multiple-response survey design. Findings Five clusters were found across five AIO themes of “people socialised with”, “relationship interest”, “ingredients of a good relationship”, “party activities” and “outing dressing”. The clusters were honesty-based relationship seekers, spiritual- and intellectual-based relationship seekers, attention seekers in a healthy relationship, self-conscious seeking a healthy relationship, and sincere, spiritual and intellectual-based relationship seekers. Practical implications The findings present an opportunity for social policy design that encourages alcohol-free social space creation, strong family ties, community and spiritual growth and incentives for long-term relationships as means of sustaining alcohol quitters’ behaviour. Equally, alcohol policies that match the themes of the clusters can be designed to aid sobriety sustenance. Originality/value This study advances knowledge of behaviour change maintenance and provides lifestyle segments of alcohol quitters as bases for further social and alcohol policy design to sustain gains in behaviour change.

Profiles Based on Support Relationships and the Role of Resources in Compliance to Precautions: Lessons from the COVID-19 Crisis

Despite the crucial role that social support relationships play in coping with crises, there is limited knowledge on how social capital-based resources function in compliance with measures during the COVID-19 crisis, given the complex effects created by the conditions of the support relationship. Synthesizing the capital perspective with the protection motivation approach, this study addresses the negative and positive capital effects in the capital-preventive behavior relationship by examining the role of individual and social resource-based factors in the adaptation of profiles based on support relationships. Results revealed five profiles based on social support relationship conditions. In particular, low compliance commitment was seen in the family-intensive profile, where the support relationship was reciprocal and characterized by strong family ties, similar to the profile without a support relationship. The fact that factors based on social resources are common risk factors in profiles with support relationships with more groups implies that these groups may be more open to social capital effects. The results emphasize that factors related to individual or social resources should be taken into account according to capital potential in the management of crises that require collective action.

Young Flexitarians: An Insight into Barriers and Facilitators Related to Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation for Meat Reduction

In recent decades, meat consumption has faced growing scrutiny from an environmental, health, and animal welfare perspective. As a result, reducing meat consumption has emerged as an important strategy to mitigate its negative effects. Flexitarians, a growing group of meat reducers, have attracted attention for potentially shaping future dietary trends. This study uses a qualitative approach and draws on 15 in-depth interviews with young flexitarians in Slovenia (YFS) to identify the main facilitators and barriers to meat reduction by exploring their motivations, capabilities, and opportunities as described in the COM-B behavioral model. This study fills the gap in studies on flexitarians using the COM-B model by looking at capabilities and opportunities, not solely motives. In addition, it fills the gap in qualitative in-depth studies on all three COM-B categories, as well as a gap in studies conducted outside northwest Europe and other primarily western geographical contexts. This study highlights important findings for the central and eastern European context that industry and governments should consider when developing behavior change strategies for healthy, sustainable diets. This study shows that strong rural family ties and limited access to meat alternatives are the major barriers to meat reduction in Slovenia. The YFS preferred whole, unprocessed foods (legumes, vegetables, grains) over processed meat alternatives and reduced their meat consumption primarily for health and environmental reasons, relying on social support from peers and information from popular documentaries and social media influencers.

Towards a Person-Centered Care Model Among Community Mental Health Services

Mental illness is widespread among adults and remains the foremost cause of years lived with disability. Despite its importance, there is a scarcity of research on person-centered care (PCC) from the viewpoints of mental health service users, particularly within clinical community mental health services. This study sought to investigate the potential for enhancing PCC through the lived experiences of individuals with mental health conditions who use local community mental health clinics (CMHC) in Malta. The goal was to obtain a thorough understanding of the current landscape, evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, and identify strategies for evolving the system towards a more PCC-focused model. A qualitative research design was utilized, following the principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as described by Smith et al. (2009). Ten participants from Malta, including six women, who frequently visit CMHCs, were recruited through intermediaries. Each participant took part in a one-hour semi-structured interview, conducted at a mutually convenient time and location. These sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for subsequent analysis. The analysis identified three main themes: Quality care, emotional support, and partnership and collaborative care, each comprising various sub-themes. The study illuminated both the strengths and shortcomings of the existing system and their implications for a PCC-oriented healthcare approach. While our findings reaffirm research on the critical role of empathy in care and other relevant factors, results also indicate that cultural factors in Malta, such as strong family ties, significantly influence the delivery of person-centered care (PCC), which may be relevant for other small communities. Furthermore, the research offers healthcare professionals (HCPs) a chance for ongoing professional development in accordance with the latest PCC principles.

Mental health disparities among first generation immigrants to the US

Mental health disparities among first-generation immigrants to the United States are intricately linked to the historical and sociopolitical context of immigration. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 and policies such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) have shaped the demographic and experiential landscape of first-generation immigrants, influencing their mental health outcomes. Objective: This study aims to examine the mental health disparities experienced by first-generation immigrants in the United States, identifying the contributing factors and exploring effective strategies for addressing these disparities. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted, analyzing studies on mental health outcomes among first-generation immigrants. The review focused on factors contributing to mental health disparities, including pre-migration experiences, migration-related stressors, post-migration challenges, and systemic barriers to mental health care access. The review also explored intersectionality and its impact on mental health, as well as case studies and examples of successful interventions. Results: The "immigrant paradox" suggests that immigrants often exhibit better mental health outcomes than native-born individuals, though this effect diminishes over time. Factors such as strong family ties and community support initially contribute to this mental health advantage. However, post-migration challenges, including acculturation stress, socioeconomic hardship, and discrimination, often lead to a decline in mental health. Certain mental health conditions, such as PTSD and anxiety disorders, are more prevalent among specific immigrant groups, particularly those fleeing conflict or persecution. Structural, cultural, and systemic barriers hinder access to mental health care, exacerbating disparities. Successful interventions often involve community-based approaches, culturally competent care, and integrated service models. Conclusion: Addressing mental health disparities among first-generation immigrants requires a multifaceted approach, including community engagement, policy interventions, and culturally competent care. By investing in research and implementing evidence-based interventions, it is possible to reduce mental health disparities and improve outcomes for first-generation immigrants. Future research should focus on long-term mental health trajectories, the impact of digital technologies, and the role of social networks.

Impact of Human and Social Capital on Women’s earning: Implications for Home Based and Outdoor Workers

The objective of this study is to explore the effect of human and social capital on women’s earning. The cross-sectional data was collected from 1227 working women both home based and outdoor, residing in urban and rural areas of Multan Division (Pakistan). The extended form of Mincerian earning function was estimated for home based and outdoor workers and results indicates that the coefficient of age, education, training, presence of basic health unit, education of closed relatives, strong family ties and formal ties have significant positive influence on earnings. While the coefficient of presence of disease and distance is negative. For procurement of raw material, the role of middleman is insignificant, has no effect on women’s earnings. Moreover, the coefficients of head of household, ownership of assets, number of children, number of dependents, location, marital status, family setup and awareness about labor laws positively related with earnings. Women who are more satisfied with their work are more likely to work overtime for more earnings. It is recommended that human capital be prioritized by investing additional resources in health care, improving access to higher education and provision of free technical and vocational trainings specifically for home based workers to improve earnings which reduce poverty and put the economy on a path of increased growth and development.

The power of the family in times of pandemic: Cross-country evidence from 93 countries

The majority of the hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 occurred in people over the age of 65. In addition, previous studies have shown that intergenerational contacts played a key role in COVID-19-related infection and fatality. This paper utilized two large-scale multinational surveys to uncover the important role of family ties in infection prevention across 93 countries. Using the World Values Survey, we measured country-level family ties emphasizing respondents’ view of their parents. We elicited individual willingness to uptake infection prevention measures from a panel study conducted each month in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic between March 2020 and July 2021. We find that in countries with stronger family ties, people show more support for non-pharmaceutical interventions and higher vaccine acceptance; moreover, young people are more supportive of mandatory vaccination. The association between strength of family ties and compliance with infection prevention measures was salient before COVID-19 vaccines became available and was persistent before the global vaccination coverage reached 25%.

Dignity enhanced through faith & family support in palliative care: a qualitative study

BackgroundDignity is integral to palliative care. Illness can diminish it, causing hopelessness and the wish to hasten death. Yet, dignity is a complex multidimensional phenomenon, influenced by values and context. Understanding its varying interpretations can inform practice and policy. The aim of the study is to explore the understanding of dignity in adult patients with palliative care needs from a Lebanese perspective and how it is preserved during illness and while receiving health services.DesignQualitative interview study underpinned with a social constructionist lens. Fourteen patients recruited from home-based hospice and outpatient clinics in Lebanon. Data analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsFour themes were developed across all the interviews: (a) Dignity anchored through faith in God and religious practices; (b) Family support in maintaining physical, psychological wellbeing, and social connectedness; (c) Physical fitness, mental acuity, and healthy appearance through which patients may escape the stigma of disease, (d) accessible, equitable, and compassionate healthcare.DiscussionDignity is elusive and difficult to define but faith and religious beliefs play a significant contribution in this study. For the participants, illness is seen as a natural part of life that does not necessarily diminish dignity, but it is the illness related changes that potentially affect dignity. Findings show the importance of family and children in preserving dignity during illness and how their active presence provide a sense of pride and identity. Participants aspired to restore physical, social, and mental well-being to reclaim their dignity and normalize their lives. Challenges related to physical appearance, memory loss, vitality, and social stigma associated with illness diminished dignity. Accessible, equitable and compassionate healthcare services are also crucial in preserving dignity. Participants valued clear communication, respect, and empathy from healthcare providers and identified affordability of care essential for maintaining dignity.ConclusionFaith in God, and strong family ties are dominant elements to maintaining dignity in the Lebanese context. Relational connectedness with family, children or God is also a need in maintaining dignity in other communal countries with variations in emphasis. The study indicates that religious and cultural context shapes the needs and perceptions of dignity during illness. These findings are likely to be transferable to many Middle Eastern countries but also countries with strong religious and family ties globally.

Interplay between Children's Electronic Media Use and Prosocial Behavior: The Chain Mediating Role of Parent-Child Closeness and Emotion Regulation.

In the contemporary digital milieu, children's pervasive engagement with electronic media is ubiquitous in their daily lives, presenting complex implications for their socialization. Prosocial behavior, a cornerstone of social interaction and child development, is intricately intertwined with these digital experiences. This relation gains further depth, considering the significant roles of parent-child relationships and emotion regulation in shaping children's social trajectories. This study surveyed 701 families to examine the association between children's electronic media use and prosocial behavior, specifically exploring the mediating roles of parent-child closeness and emotion regulation. Structural equation modeling was employed for the analysis. Children's electronic media use negatively correlated with prosocial behavior, parent-child closeness, and emotion regulation. In contrast, a positive association emerged between parent-child closeness, emotion regulation, and prosocial behavior. Emotion regulation also correlated positively with prosocial behavior. Statistical analyses revealed that parent-child closeness and emotion regulation function as both individual and sequential mediators in the relation between electronic media use and prosocial behavior. The study's analyses reveal that fostering children's prosocial behavior in the digital era requires strong family ties, effective emotional management, and balanced digital exposure, which are pivotal for their comprehensive development.

A qualitative perspective of working women care providers and care receivers on eldercare: a study from India

BackgroundThe paper aims to explore the elderly caregiving process in India from the perspective of both elderly as well as working women care providers, along with the challenges faced and the coping strategies adopted by them during the process.MethodsIn-depth interviews with 48 participants (care providers and care receivers) from 25 multi-generational households were conducted in the slums of Mumbai and analysed using QSR-NVivo-10.ResultsWorking women care providers supported the needs of the dependent elderly along with performing household chores and paid work. However, the way the care was perceived and demanded, was not often same as delivered by the care providers. Care provider suffered silently with poor social, physical and emotional welling in absence of support system and lack of time. Sometimes, physically exhausted care providers unknowingly resorted to elderly abuse and neglect. At the same time, a bidirectional flow of support from elderly also existed in the form of childcare, household chores and financial support. Though caregiving overstrained the care providers, strong family ties, acknowledgement of the contributions of the elderly during their young days, and the desire to set a precedent for the young generation did not let them step back from their duties. The main coping mechanism for both care receivers and providers was largely centred around the notion of acceptance of their situation.ConclusionConversations between generations can help in enhancing family ties and reduce conflicts. The support of family and community can also ease the burden of caregiving.

Entrepreneurship orientation in family business: Decision process structure & succession planning

Family firms play a significant role in economies worldwide, contributing substantially to wealth generation and employment opportunities. Particularly prevalent in rural and remote areas where larger enterprises may struggle to operate effectively, these firms are crucial for both economic growth and social development. Entrepreneurship, characterized by innovation, courage, and strategic planning, is fundamental for driving economic development and instigating substantial changes within market economies. Previous research has identified various factors influencing entrepreneurial development in response to evolving business environments.This paper aims to investigate the capacity of enduring family firms to maintain an entrepreneurial orientation while also prioritizing strong family ties and effective governance structures. Building upon existing theoretical frameworks in the realms of family business and entrepreneurship, this study examines the prevalence of entrepreneurship within family businesses. Additionally, it explores the significance of entrepreneurial orientation in succession planning and the decision-making processes within family firms.The conceptualization presented here integrates insights from existing literature and proposes a research agenda for further exploration in this field. By reviewing relevant literature and outlining a research methodology, this paper seeks to shed light on the intersection of family business dynamics and entrepreneurial behavior. Understanding the interplay between entrepreneurial orientation, family involvement, and governance structures is crucial for informing strategic decision-making processes within family firms.In summary, this paper contributes to the broader understanding of the role of entrepreneurship within family businesses and its implications for succession planning and decision-making. By elucidating the complex dynamics at play in these firms, it offers insights that can inform both academic research and practical management strategies for sustaining and enhancing the entrepreneurial spirit within family-owned enterprises.

Stronger family ties vs. less social contact: Use intention of autonomous vehicles in family tourism

Autonomous vehicle-related services, such as Waymo, are now available for tourists, creating a new era of ground transportation in the tourism industry. However, research on autonomous vehicles in tourism literature remains in the beginning stage. To enrich understanding of autonomous vehicles in tourism and to contribute practical insights, this study examines potential users’ assessment, expectancy, and use intention toward autonomous vehicles in family tourism. A total of 439 complete survey responses were collected from car owners in Japan. Results confirmed perceived benefit, effort expectancy, and perceived risk as significant antecedents of both positive (i.e. family ties enhanced by autonomous vehicles) and negative expectancy (i.e. reduced social contact through autonomous vehicles), which influenced use intention toward autonomous vehicles. Additionally, females, those of higher age demographics (50s–60s), and those with larger family sizes (three or more) were more concerned with reduced social contact when evaluating their use intention toward autonomous vehicles.

Beyond cultural norms: how does historical rice farming affect modern firms' family control?

AbstractThe private sector contributes the majority of China's GDP, with family firms responsible for most of the contribution. Prior studies find that firms' family control is influenced by certain cultural norms, such as family ties. This study explores the underlying historical and agricultural roots of these cultural norms that influence modern businesses. Combining a set of high‐quality, nationally representative Chinese firm and household surveys with prefectural data, we first show the positive impact of rice farming on family control of local firms. We establish robust causal inferences by exploring the impact of historical agricultural legacies and discussing alternative measures, spatial autocorrelations, omitted variables, instrumental variables and self‐selection. More importantly, our results demonstrate that the rice cultivation practice enhances the local people's preferences for strong family ties. Instead of claiming a direct role of these cultural traits as in the existing literature, we recast them as cultural mediators and persistent channels through which historical rice farming can shape contemporary corporate structure.

Examining Financial Hardship and Caregiver Subgroups in Kinship Foster Placements: A Machine Learning Approach

Children placed with kinship foster parents can experience less disruption and stronger family ties than children in non-kinship placements. However, financial hardship can restrict kinship caregivers from taking in relatives’ children. This study investigated (1) kinship caregivers’ financial standing compared to a national subsample of caregivers and (2) whether certain factors moderate the likelihood that a kinship caregiver will be able to provide care for additional non-relative children without additional financial assistance from the Department of Social Services (DSS). This study utilized primary data from 345 relatives across North Carolina and nationally representative secondary data on 6394 individuals’ financial circumstances. One-sample t-tests and chi-square goodness-of-fit tests revealed that caregivers who participated in our study generally fared better financially than caregivers at the national level. Model-based recursive partitioning results showed that if an additional child is placed in the home, the caregiver’s perceived capacity to provide care without extra DSS support decreased by approximately 19%, with a greater decrease (35%) among a subgroup of caregivers with low financial well-being status. The heterogeneity in caregivers’ experiences, capacities, and financial needs buttresses the need for nuanced interventions and programs targeting these caregivers, enabling them to provide more stable care for children placed in their homes.

СЛАБЫЕ СЕМЕЙНЫЕ СВЯЗИ КАК ОДНА ИЗ ДЕТЕРМИНАНТ СОВЕРШЕНИЯ ОСУЖДЕННЫМИ, ОТБЫВАЮЩИМИ НАКАЗАНИЯ БЕЗ ИЗОЛЯЦИИ ОТ ОБЩЕСТВА, ПОВТОРНЫХ ПРЕСТУПЛЕНИЙ

The article examines such negative trends in modern society as weak family ties, the withering of traditional family values, and the decline in the role of marriage, which act as determinants of repeated crimes committed by convicts serving sentences without isolation from society. A number of preventive measures of different levels are proposed. There are general social preventive measures aimed at solving the problems of the institution of the family, as well as special criminological measures to combat the causes of repeated crimes among convicts of the studied category who have problems in family relations. It is concluded that strong family ties can have a positive preventive effect on repeat crimes among convicts, reducing their level.

Grandparenting children with typical development and special educational needs and disabilities

ABSTRACT The study compares the experiences of two groups of grandparents, one with a typically developing (TD) grandchild and one with a grandchild with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The extent and the kind of grandparents’ involvement, the quality of their relationship and the factors that could contribute to the quality were assessed. The study took place in Greece, a country with strong familial ties. 104 grandparents with a TD and 53 with a grandchild with SEND completed a structured questionnaire. The results revealed that grandparents are an important source of support in both groups. They are actively involved in the care and daily life of their grandchild. They are mentors and provide financial support especially to their grandchild with SEND. They enjoy a close relationship with their grandchild but the quality of the relationship was higher in the TD group. The knowledge of the grandchild and a close relationship with the parents were predictors of an emotionally close relationship with the grandchild in both groups. The findings of the study suggest that grandparents are actively involved in the upbringing of their grandchildren. Professionals and community services should recognize their contribution and provide them with skills, support and encouragement.

RACIAL/ETHNIC DIFFERENCES IN IMPACTS OF COVID-19 ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING AMONG OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Covid-19 caused challenges to psychological well-being among older adults, but the impact may differ across various populations. The purpose of this study is to investigate racial/ethnic differences in psychological well-being among older adults during the first year of the pandemic, particularly focusing on mediating effects of different types of social support. Data came from the 2021 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), which includes a nationally representative sample of older Americans. Our sample was restricted to the respondents aged 65+ who participated in the 2021 HRS Perspectives on the Pandemic that focuses on the first-year pandemic experiences (N=4,656). We compared four racial/ethnic groups including white, black, Hispanic, and others. Psychological well-being was measured by the 12 questions on participants’ feeling during the first year of the pandemic (e.g., distressed, afraid, worried). Three distinct groups of help-receiving patterns were identified by latent class analysis: 1) no help, 2) intense help from kids, and 3) moderate help from diverse social relationships. Frequencies of in-person and not-in-person contacts with children or family were also included in our analysis. We found that Hispanic’s psychological well-being was the most negatively impacted by the pandemic (Coef.=0.687, p<.05) even after controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, physical and mental health. Our mediation analysis demonstrated that intense help from kids and less in-person contacts negatively mediated the association between Hispanics and their psychological well-being. This study shows that older Hispanics who had been known for strong family ties and support are at risk due to restricted social contacts during the pandemic.

Measuring factors affecting local loyalty based on a correlation network

Understanding the level of local loyalty is crucial for urban planners, as individuals who exhibit higher levels of loyalty are more likely to adopt a “voice” strategy and act in the interest of their community, while being less likely to relocate. This study aims to develop a methodology for assessing and determining the factors influencing local loyalty levels. It is presumed that different factors contribute to each level of local loyalty. Through the identification of loyalty components and potential drivers, a data-driven approach based on correlation networks was employed to identify critical factors influencing loyalty at varying levels. The methodology was applied in Veszprém, Hungary, the European Capital of Culture in 2023, using a representative survey. The findings reveal that while demographic variables exhibit a weak correlation with loyalty levels, residents living in the city centre tend to show higher loyalty. Factors associated with high local loyalty include well-being, employment opportunities, healthy social relationships, and strong family ties. Conversely, the least loyal group is characterized by weak connections with friends, neighbours, and colleagues, as well as living in unsafe environments.

Push–pull analysis of motocross and supercross athletes’ migration to the United States

This research aims to explore the migration of motocross and supercross athletes to the United States using the push–pull–anti-push–anti-pull framework. A purposive sampling method was employed to recruit motocross and supercross athletes who had migrated to the United States to compete in professional sport. Qualitative methodology in the form of personal interviews was employed to understand meanings participants made of their migration experiences. Codebook thematic analysis and deductive coding of data revealed themes that differed among participants from developed and developing countries, such as push–pull factors related to muscle drain and pursuit of the American dream, and anti-push–anti-pull factors related to strong family ties and career uncertainty. This research fills voids in the literature where prior scholars have explored athlete migration primarily among team-sport athletes in the context of European countries but have overlooked individual-sport athletes and the United States as the country of destination.