Family Structure Research Articles

Comparing the Han Cultures to Mosuo Cultures: A Study Examining the Social Status of Housewives in China

To examine the social status of Han ethnicity housewives in China, it is necessary to look at family structure, economic rights, and personal welfare status to analyze and declare adverse outcomes brought about by culture and urbanization. While the Mosuo ethnicity also practices gender roles like the roles stated in Han beliefs from Confucianism, their family structure is relatively large, and domestic duties are equally distributed compared to those of Han ethnicity. The freedom to allocate economy and distribute inheritance within the household is also drastically different between the ethnicities, as women in Mosuo families are responsible for financial decisions while Han housewives are entirely passive and dependent on their husbands’ decision of distributing allowances. Similarly, the personal welfare of Han housewives correlates with financial passivity, as women are highly inclined to be victimized by domestic abuse. In contrast, Mosuo women -especially mothers- are highly esteemed, and their welfare is highly protected. By comparing the Mosuo (a rural minority) to the Han, this research analyzes three dimensions consequential to understanding the low status of urban Han housewives, which deciphers the vagueness of Han housewives’ negative situation and presents the areas needing future efforts.

The Social-Psychological Problems of Modern Families and the Role of Social Work in Their Resolution

This article explores the array of social and psychological challenges confronting contemporary family structures and examines the integral role of social work in addressing these issues. Rapid societal changes, urbanization, and evolving cultural norms have contributed to increased family stress, communication breakdowns, and emotional isolation. Through a review of current literature and empirical data, the study identifies key stressors such as economic uncertainty, generational conflicts, and the erosion of traditional support networks. The research further investigates how tailored social work interventions can restore stability and enhance relational dynamics within families. By employing a mixed-method approach, including surveys and in-depth interviews with professionals in the field, the study provides insights into effective strategies that foster resilience and promote healthier family environments. Ultimately, this analysis underscores the necessity for proactive, community-based initiatives and policy reforms that empower social workers to better support modern families.

Loneliness and the changing care landscape for the elderly in Albania

Albania is currently experiencing a notable demographic shift marked by a substantial increase in its aging population, aligned with the theory of demographic transition. With an emphasis on senior care processes and the prevalence of loneliness among the elderly, this paper explores the difficulties presented by this demographic transition. Key factors of loneliness, such as age, health status, frequency of social interactions, internet access, and the presence of close social ties, were discovered using logistic regression analysis on data from the “Elderly and Loneliness” survey carried out in Albania. As conventional family structures deteriorate and migration continues to influence care dynamics, the results highlight the vital role that comprehensive care systems play in reducing loneliness. To enhance the well-being of Albania’s senior citizens, the report emphasizes the urgent need for legislative changes that prioritize digital inclusion, long-term care infrastructure, and community-based social support networks. This study offers an approach for tackling the dual issues of loneliness and caregiving in an aging society by tying empirical findings to practical suggestions.

Genome-wide identification, characterization, and expression analysis of BZR transcription factor family in Gerbera hybrida

BackgroundThe BZR family genes encode plant-specific transcription factors as pivotal regulators of plant BR signaling pathways, critically influencing plant growth and development.ResultsIn this study, we performed a genome-wide investigation of the BZR family gene in gerbera to identify the key components of the BR pathway that may function in petal growth. The identified BZR genes, named GhBEH1-7 (GhBEH1, GhBEH2, GhBEH3, GhBEH4, GhBEH5, GhBEH6, GhBEH7), are distributed across chromosomes 3, 5, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15. These genes exhibit similar exon–intron structures and possess typical BZR family structures. Phylogenetic analysis clustered these genes into two distinct subgroups. Analysis of cis-acting elements revealed their involvement in hormone response, stress response, and growth regulation. Subcellular localization analysis indicated nuclear localization for GhBEH1 and GhBEH2, while the remaining five genes exhibited dual localization in the nucleus and cytoplasm. The transactivation assay indicated that GhBEH1 and GhBEH2 may function as transcriptional repressors, contrasting with the transcriptional activation observed for the other five genes. Notably, seven GhBEHs exhibit various expression patterns under different growth stages of ray florets and BR treatment conditions. Meanwhile GhBEH1 and GhBEH2 showed pronounced responsiveness to BR stimulation.ConclusionOur work explains genome-wide identification, characterization, and expression analysis of gerbera’s BZR transcription factor family. We hinted that these seven GhBEHs are involved in petal growth and development regulation. These findings provide a basis for further studies on the biological function of the BZR gene family in petal growth and a theoretical basis for future horticultural application in gerbera.

Early transition markers, opportunities, and limitations that define pathways into the labour market from adolescence to adulthood in South Africa

AbstractMotivationThe transition from adolescence to adulthood encompasses key social changes. NEET status (Not in Education, Employment or Training) during this period disrupts this transition and alters an adolescent's life course. This is of particular concern in South Africa, a middle‐income country with one of the world's highest rates of youth unemployment.PurposeThe pathway to becoming NEET emerges over time by accumulating risks in early life and adolescence. Early‐life adversities can increase the probability of events associated with becoming NEET. We aim to identify early‐life and adolescent predictors of events associated with becoming NEET, as well as predictors of NEET status itself.Methods and approachWe analyse four rounds of longitudinal data from a sample of 1,174 adolescents growing up in peri‐urban KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. Using a socioecological life‐course model, we create two overlapping analytic cohorts and two NEET vulnerability indices to evaluate whether risks for vulnerability in schooling (early outcomes) are similar to those affecting post‐schooling education and labour‐market outcomes (later outcomes). We use a linear probability model to analyse the relationship between the vulnerability indices and the range of risk factors in the socioecological life‐course model.FindingsA strong predictor of both NEET vulnerability indices includes reporting feeling hopeless about the future. Other significant predictors include behavioural factors (getting pregnant or impregnating someone during adolescence, and drinking alcohol before age 16), family structure (residing with one's biological mother in early adolescence was protective) and demographics (age).Policy implicationsBy deepening our understanding of how individual and contextual characteristics shape the transition into productive adulthood through a life‐course approach, we can identify possible early intervention points lost once young people become NEET.

Generational variations in wellbeing: suicide rates, cohort characteristics, and national socio-political context over seven decades

Abstract Over recent decades, the relative wellbeing of younger birth cohorts declined in many western countries, indicating growing generational inequality. Building on Durkheimian theory, this paper examines explanations for these changes, hypothesizing that differences in cohort wellbeing are related to variations in social integration associated with birth cohorts and national socio-political contexts. Age–period-specific suicide rates of men and women from 1950 to 2020 in 19 highly developed western nations, including 26 birth cohorts, born from 1875 to 2004, are examined using estimable function analysis and age–period–cohort characteristic (APCC) models. Cohort variations in wellbeing are significantly greater in English-speaking nations, which have traditionally provided less institutionalized support and social integration than continental European nations. Age-specific suicide rates are larger for cohorts with childhood demographic characteristics associated with less social integration (relative cohort size and family structure). Major historical events associated with social integration in formative years of late adolescence and young adulthood also influence cohort wellbeing, with higher age-specific rates for cohorts experiencing the Great Depression of the 1930s and health pandemics of the early 20th and 21st centuries and lower rates for those experiencing periods of war and national conflict. However, the magnitude of these associations is strongly influenced by socio-political context. Negative effects of cohort characteristics are muted and positive effects are enhanced in the continental nations. In addition, patterns of associations vary by age and gender. Results remain with strong controls for the pace of change, additional measures of national context, and sensitivity analyses.

Reconstructing the Historical Structure of the Bantu Language Family: Old Challenges, New Insights

Recent publications in historical linguistics tend to express a near certainty about the structure of the Bantu language family and explicitly draw on archaeological and genetic studies as support for the emerging historical scenario of the Bantu expansion. In this review, I explain that the actual empirical picture is far more complicated and uncertain. A detailed examination of linguistic, archaeological, and genetic data reveals common faulty assumptions and misinterpretations and shows that no coherent narrative of Bantu history can be supported by the data at the moment. At the same time, the open questions and contradictions challenge us to move away from simplistic answers and to look for fine detail when analyzing the history of Bantu-speaking Africa: Many facts are in fact certain; they just do not fall neatly into the existing models.

“That 3-word-ultimatum”

Abstract I love you is among the most meaningful utterances in English speakers’ organization of intimacy, yet remains understudied by scholars of language. This article investigates metapragmatic discourse about the first exchange of I love you between romantic partners using data from the social media platform Reddit. The discourse reveals a normative model in which I love you functions not only as an expression of emotion but a speech act that is ideologically constructed as committing the speaker and inviting the listener onto a relationship path that includes monogamy, long-term commitment, and eventually cohabitation and marriage. Normative discourses about and practices surrounding I love you thereby bolster the hypervalorization of romantic relationships, the validation of jealousy and possessiveness as expressions of love, and the naturalization of monogamy and normative Western family structures. Drawing on discourses of polyamory, asexuality, and disability/neurodivergence, we point to alternative possibilities for love’s meaning and expression.

Examining Marriage Anxiety, Psychological Distress and Social Support among Adults of Separated and Non-Separated Families

This study aimed to examine the levels of marriage anxiety, psychological distress, and social support among young adults from separated and non-separated families. A cross-sectional survey method was employed, involving a sample of 200 individuals, comprising 110 individuals from separated families and 90 individuals from non-separated families. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from individuals, age ranging from 18-35 years (M = 21.64, SD = 1.43). Urdu version of Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales and Pre-Marital Anxiety Scale were used. Correlation analyses revealed significant relationships among the study variables. Social support was negatively correlated with psychological distress and marriage anxiety, while psychological distress and marriage anxiety were positively correlated. All correlations were statistically significant. Independent sample t-tests showed that individuals from non-separated families had higher social support, while those from separated families experienced higher psychological distress and marriage anxiety. These findings underscore the impact of family structure on young adults' psychological well-being and social support, highlighting the need for targeted support for those from separated families.

Prevalence and Correlates of Cannabis Use Among Youth Ages 14–17 From the United States (US) in 2021: The Role of Family Structure

Prevalence and Correlates of Cannabis Use Among Youth Ages 14–17 From the United States (US) in 2021: The Role of Family Structure

Intergenerational transmission and change of religious parenting: an explorative study of Christian- and Winti-based maternal parenting and coping across three generations of Afro-Surinamese families in Paramaribo, Suriname

ABSTRACT This study explores the use and intergenerational transmission of Afro-Surinamese religion in parenting and their contribution to child development and motherhood. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 Afro-Surinamese Creole families, with 36 mothers, living in Paramaribo, Suriname. Each family consisted of three generations of mothers: a grandmother (G1), her daughter (G2), and granddaughter (G3). Using the software program Atlas-ti, the analysis revealed four main themes: family context, intergenerational shifts in religious orientation, Christian parenting, Winti parenting. Results suggest that intergenerational transmission and change of religion in parenting are related to religious coping, spirituality, the social and moral development of children, and family structures. More investigations are needed to substantiate these intergenerational patterns. The integration of religion and spirituality in the training of mental health professionals and in research institutes is recommended.

Association of contraception use and pregnancy intention with perinatal depression risk among Omani mothers—a longitudinal cohort study

BackgroundUnplanned pregnancy is significantly associated with an increased risk of perinatal depression (antenatal and postnatal depression), emphasizing its prevalence and its potentially detrimental effects on both maternal and child health. This study aimed to investigate the association of contraception use and pregnancy intention with the risk of perinatal depression among Omani mothers.MethodsA prospective longitudinal study design was employed to investigate perinatal depression risk in mothers attending antenatal health care services in Oman. Perinatal depression risk was assessed using the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale during the third trimester and postpartum visits. Multiple linear regression analyses were utilized to explore relationships between the risk of perinatal depression and pregnancy-related factors, contraception use, and sociodemographic variables.ResultsThe study involved 300 participants with a mean age of 30.8 years (SD = 5.47). The majority of participants reported planned pregnancy (74.0%), no use of contraception (66.0%), and being multiparous (72.7%). A significantly higher proportion (87.8%) of women with planned pregnancies were primiparous (p < 0.001). Besides family structure (core family, p = 0.025) and monthly income (1,000 OMR or below, p = 0.021), mothers who were pregnant for the first time (p < 0.001), and those who were primiparous (p < 0.001) did not use contraception. The regression models showed a significant association between the antenatal and postnatal depression scores (p < 0.001, 95% CI 0.401–0.603) according to the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that women with unplanned pregnancies warrant attention for early detection and preventive interventions, irrespective of their emotional stance. Incorporating routine mental health screening into perinatal care can facilitate early detection, and targeted interventions, contributing to improved maternal mental well-being.

Comparative analysis of capital structures in Latin America companies

This article aims to provide a comparative analysis of the capital structure of large companies in the manufacturing sector of Colombia and Ecuador regarding company size, guarantees or tangibility, cost of debt, growth opportunities, reputation, and liquidity as determinant variables. Based on a sample of 509 manufacturing companies in Colombia and Ecuador, a panel data model was applied to estimate the determinants of the indebtedness of companies in this sector. The findings expose that in Colombia, the variables that influence the total indebtedness of companies are ROA, tangibility, and liquidity. In Ecuador, variables that influence the analysis of the total indebtedness of companies are ROA, size, tangibility, and liquidity. The Pecking Order Theory explains these results. This study contributes to understanding the determinants of companies’ financing types in Colombia and Ecuador, acknowledging that there are substantial differences between the economies of the two countries explained above, all by dollarization and the family structure of most companies in Ecuador and by more significant development in the Colombian stock market.

Addressing Mental Health Challenges in Children: Sansamwenje Community, Isoka District, Zambia

Children in Sansamwenje Community, Isoka District, Zambia, face significant mental health challenges, stemming from adverse conditions such as premature exposure to adulthood responsibilities, fractured family structures, social inferiority, caretaking roles, and child-headed households. These stressors undermine their mental well-being, resilience, and capacity for academic and personal growth. Addressing this critical issue, this study explores the application of the SuperBetter Toolkit, an innovative gamified framework designed to enhance mental health and resilience among children. The toolkit is structured into three progressive levels: Social and Emotional Learning, which fosters emotional awareness and self-regulation; SuperBetter, which introduces gamified elements like challenges, power-ups, and quests to contextualize struggles and promote active problem-solving; and SuperBetter Children for Health, which empowers children to apply these principles to real-world health challenges, fostering self-efficacy and resilience. This study utilized qualitative and participatory methods, engaging children, educators, and caregivers in the implementation and evaluation of the program over 12 months. Key findings include improved emotional regulation, increased self-esteem, and enhanced problem-solving abilities among participants. Children reported feeling more confident in addressing challenges, while caregivers observed noticeable improvements in behavior and well-being. The study concludes that the SuperBetter Toolkit offers a practical and scalable approach to addressing mental health challenges in resource-constrained communities. By combining emotional learning with gamification, the program provides a unique, child-centered framework that not only enhances mental health outcomes but also fosters resilience and community-driven problem-solving. Further research is recommended to expand its implementation across similar contexts.

Musculoskeletal Problems and Work-Related Factors Among Middle-Aged Rural Homemakers

Background: Bangladeshi rural women, who spend 14-20 hours daily on homemaking duties, often suffer from musculoskeletal problems due to poor ergonomics and repetitive actions. These disorders affect productivity and quality of life due to lack of awareness and preventive measures. The study aims to assess musculoskeletal problem prevalence among middle-aged rural homemakers, identify contributing factors, and recommend health interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Dohar Upazila, Bangladesh to find out musculoskeletal problems and work-related factors among middle-aged rural homemakers. The study covered 121.41 square kilometers and involved face-to-face interviews and a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed for accuracy, outliers, inconsistencies and missing values. The study aimed to assess the relationship between musculoskeletal problems and personal, socio-demographic and work-related factors. Results: The study surveyed 347 respondents aged 30-59 years, with 49.6% falling within the 30-39 age groups. The majority was Muslim, 38.2% completed primary education, and 88.8% were married. Family structures consisted of 64.0% nuclear and 36.0% joint families. Health issues included asthma (13.3%), heart disease (10.1%), hypertension (29.7%), diabetes (17.0%), osteoarthritis (52.4%), previous trauma (18.2%), and rheumatoid arthritis (6.1%). Musculoskeletal problems were most prevalent (74.0%) among individuals aged 30- 39, with married individuals reporting the highest incidence (83.4%??). Factors such as awkward work posture, forceful exertion and weight handling were found to be significant (p<0.005). Conclusion: Musculoskeletal problems, often caused by faulty posture, forceful exertion, heavy weight lifting, poor education, manual assistance, age and educational level, can impact on homemakers and cause disability particularly by household tasks. Corrective interventions, awareness program and community educational facilities for rural homemakers are urgently needed and have the potential to reduce misery and musculoskeletal problems among homemakers. JOPSOM 2023; 42(2): 7-11

Family and social networks among older people in selected European countries

ABSTRACT Family networks and significant relationships with other people are seen as sources of different types of support. Kinship and social networks differ between individuals, as they are shaped by family biographies and the survival of their members. The aim of the paper was to examine the size and the structure of family and social networks among older people in selected European countries, while taking into account differences by sex, age, parental status, and country. Data from the wave 6 of SHARE survey, carried out in 17 European countries, was used. The older people’s family networks were quite large (on average, 7.8 persons), while their social networks were much smaller (on average, 2.6 persons). The family and social networks differed slightly by sex and age group, but significantly between the analysed countries. Although the size and composition of family and social networks differed significantly by parental status, the differences in SN size were much smaller between older parents and people without surviving children. The study contributes to family demography research by estimation the size and the composition of family and social networks among older people in European countries.

Filipino Migrant and Returnee Nurses Resisting and Adapting to the Pressures of Becoming “Ideal Migrants”

Abstract This paper scrutinizes the desirability and feasibility of return migration for Filipino male and female nurses, while considering “turning points”, factors such as natural disasters, here supertyphoon “Yolanda” or “Haiyan”, and/or family crises and changes in the family structure, which affect the migration trajectory. The Philippines has a long history of outward migration, more recently of female workers employed in the healthcare and domestic sectors: this longstanding phenomenon being encouraged by a “sophisticated infrastructure” which expects surplus workers to become “ideal migrants” — that is, compliant and aspirational. We take an intersectionality approach, considering gender, race, ethnicity, and other social divisions which place migrant and returnee nurses in (dis)advantageous positions, in order to explore the nurses’ own strategies of resistance and adaptation towards becoming “ideal” workers and sustaining the “ideal migrant” trajectory of upward social mobility. While the participants of this study had varied reactions towards the feasibility of permanent return, this paper offers policy recommendations on supporting the reintegration of returnee migrant nurses, providing a more nuanced understanding of circular and return nurse migration, and that of nurses’ negotiations and agency towards navigating their own and others’ expectations of being “ideal” migrants.

Transgender History, Part I: An Anthropology of Gender-Nonconformity Across Ages and Cultures.

Transgender experiences have been attested since the dawn of civilization. Long before gender was reinterpreted as socially constructed and non-binary by 20th-century Western scholarship, concepts such as not belonging to the gender assigned at birth, transitioning, and being "neither a man nor a woman" integrated the belief systems and practices of various societies worldwide. This review examines anthropological and historical records of trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming behavior spanning six continents and five millennia. Moreover, we investigate how trans experiences interact with local traditions, family structures, laws, religions, and other social institutions. Finally, we explore trans-inclusive historiographical trends and discuss the relevance of transgender history awareness for professional and academic endeavors beyond the social sciences.

Towards Mature Manhood: The Representation of Neoliberal Boyhood in Bollywood Cinema

ABSTRACT In India, social, economic and cultural barriers shape boyhood as a precursor to masculine authority in a traditional patriarchal sense. This paper examines how the radicalness of rebellious boyhood challenges the dominant discourses of traditional masculinity and constructs a reconfigured masculine ideal in a world defined by the pressures of modern values. Through a close textual analysis of the 2010 Hindi film Udaan, this article explores the tensions between societal norms and individual aspirations in the construction of Indian boyhood. The film portrays boyhood as a rebellious category that attempts to subvert traditional Indian patriarchal notions of manhood and family structure, replacing them with a new masculine ideal aligned with modern concepts of freedom, self-reliance, and cooperative engagement. Interpreted within the context of neoliberalism in India, the paper illustrates how the boy protagonist detaches himself from conventional patriarchal constraints and rebuilds his identity, gaining agency in a liberal society that values freedom and choice. The exclusion or devaluation of female characters in the film further suggests that while neoliberal boyhood reconfigures traditional patriarchal masculinity, it simultaneously perpetuates male freedom to perform heteronormative identities within a transformed patriarchal framework.

Associations Between Coparenting Quality, the Home Food Environment, and Child's Body Mass Index.

Background: Although positive coparenting, or how parents relate during childrearing, is known to support children's socioemotional development, the role of coparenting in supporting children's healthy eating and growth is poorly understood. This study examined associations between coparenting quality, the home food environment, and young children's body mass index (BMI). Methods: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 290 mothers and their 3-year-old children who participated in the Sprout study. Mothers who indicated they had a coparent in their household completed surveys to assess coparenting quality, food parenting practices, family mealtime routines and structure, and home food availability. Mothers also reported the foods served at two typical meals, and a healthy meal index (HMI) score was calculated to assess the nutritional quality of meals. Children's height and weight were measured and used to calculate BMI z-scores (BMIz). Results: Mothers who reported more positive coparenting also reported providing children more guidance for healthy eating (β = 0.15, p < 0.001), less use of food to control children's emotions (β = -0.15, p < 0.01), less use of food as a reward (β = -0.27, p < 0.01), more structured mealtimes (β = 0.22, p < 0.001), and more household availability of fruits and vegetables (β = 0.11, p < 0.01). Mothers who reported greater coparent agreement on childrearing also had children with lower BMIz (β = -0.11, p = 0.03). Mothers who reported greater endorsement of their partner's childrearing competency had a higher mean HMI score (β = 1.82, p < 0.01). Conclusion: Among dual-parent, highly resourced families with young children, stronger coparenting practices were associated with several food-related parenting practices that support healthy eating and weight among young children.