Family Structure Research Articles

Barriers and Facilitators in Lactation Support for the Preterm Mother-Infant Dyad: An Integrated Approach.

Breastfeeding offers significant health benefits for both mothers and infants, particularly preterm infants, where it serves as a therapeutic strategy to reduce mortality and morbidities. However, breastfeeding practices are threatened globally by societal norms and systemic barriers at both micro and macro levels. This paper explores the complex interplay of these barriers and facilitators, focusing on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) setting. Preterm infants face specific feeding challenges due to immature physiological functions, yet evidence supports that strategies like cue-based feeding and individualized care can enhance feeding success and health outcomes. For mothers, initiating and maintaining lactation after preterm birth is critical but challenging, with early lactation support and achieving sufficient milk volume being key predictors of success. Partner support significantly influences lactation outcomes, although more inclusive research is needed for diverse family structures. In the NICU, a multidisciplinary approach to lactation care is vital, emphasizing the need for experienced staff and family-centered practices. NICU design, policies promoting parental presence, and adherence to Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative guidelines further support breastfeeding. This paper aims to provide directives for local breastfeeding policies through an integrated approach, considering societal attitudes and healthcare practices. The findings advocate for improved lactation support in NICUs, inclusive language and policies, and further research into diverse familial and gender roles in breastfeeding.

Biology, function and structure of the calcium homeostasis modulator family.

Calcium homeostasis modulators (CALHMs) are the most recently discovered members of the large-pore channel family. They mediate the conductance of ions and larger molecules, such as ATP, and play critical roles in pathways related to Alzheimer's disease, neuroinflammation, neuromodulation, taste perception and innate immune responses. Since the inaugural report on CALHM1 in 2008, significant breakthroughs have revealed their biological roles, ion and ATP channel functions, and structures, positioning the field for further advancements. In this review, we discuss the overall progress and recent developments in understanding the biological roles, functions and molecular structures of CALHM proteins.

Exploring the Socio-economic Conditions of Potato Farmers in Farrukhabad District of Uttar Pradesh, India

This study investigates the socio-economic profile of potato growers in Farrukhabad district, Uttar Pradesh, aiming to understand their demographic composition, educational background, caste distribution, marital status, family structure, landholding size, occupation, income levels, social participation, and possession of farming resources. A sample of 100 respondents cultivating potatoes as the main crop was selected from Kamalganj block, Farrukhabad district. Data were collected through personal interviews using a pre-structured schedule and analyzed using percentages. The results reveal that the majority of respondents are middle-aged, literate, and belong to scheduled castes. Most respondents are married and come from joint families with medium-sized households. Marginal and small landholdings dominate, and agriculture is the primary occupation, supplemented by subsidiary activities such as dairying and business. Income levels vary, with a significant proportion falling within the medium-income bracket. Social participation is moderate, with most respondents engaging in multiple organizations. Farm resources such as farm power and implements are moderately possessed. Extension services and information sources play a crucial role, with most respondents exhibiting moderate contact. This study provides valuable insights into the socio-economic landscape influencing agricultural practices among potato growers, which can inform policy formulation and extension activities aimed at fostering agricultural development and rural prosperity.

Supply of Alcohol in Early Childhood Leads to Higher Rates of Drinking in Adolescence

Abstract Background Adolescents often experience their first encounter with alcohol at home, provided by parents who perceive it as a means of safeguarding their children against later alcohol-related issues. However, research shows that parental supply of alcohol is a risk factor for adolescent drinking. Notably, existing studies solely focused on parental supply during adolescence, neglecting the prospective evaluation of parental alcohol provision during early childhood on later alcohol use. Methods The data came from the Czech part of the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ELSPAC), a longitudinal birth cohort study (N = 5,777). Mothers reported on the frequency of offering alcohol to children when children were 3, 5, 7, and 11 years old. The outcome was adolescent alcohol use at ages 15 and 18, reported by adolescents, mothers, and pediatricians. Control variables included sex, maternal education, family structure, and parental alcohol consumption. Results Three classes of children were identified based on parental alcohol supply: abstainers (75.5% of sample), infrequent sippers (16.2%), and frequent sippers (8.3%). Parental drinking increased the risk of both infrequent and frequent sipping. These classes were entered into two structural models (age 15 and age 18 alcohol use modeled as latent factors), alongside covariates. Compared to abstainer class, infrequent and frequent childhood sippers exhibited significantly higher alcohol consumption at age 15 (β = .21, p < .001; β = .25, p < .001, respectively) and age 18 (β = .11, p < .05; β = .24, p < .001, respectively). Conclusions This study represents the first prospective investigation quantifying early childhood alcohol exposure and its subsequent association with adolescent alcohol consumption. Findings emphasize the influence of family dynamics on alcohol behaviors, underscoring the necessity for targeted preventive measures, particularly within families with higher parental alcohol consumption. Key messages • Offering alcohol to children at ages 3-11, even infrequently, significantly increases the risk of more frequent drinking at ages 15 and 18, compared to those with no early exposure. • Parents who drink are more likely to have children who sip alcohol early, leading to higher alcohol consumption in adolescence. Prevention efforts should focus on family habits and early education.

SFT for ASD: A systemic intervention for neurodiverse families

AbstractTo increase the number of family‐based interventions and deal directly with the family dynamic that creates maladaptive manners of coping and connection, structural family therapy (SFT) for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) was developed. The model slowly supports families in being more flexible in their relationships and dynamics while imparting interpersonal skills which enhance communication particularly between the children with ASD and their parents by reforming and supporting an appropriate family structure and family dynamic.

Impact of loneliness and social support on leisure physical activity in adolescents in Luxembourg

Abstract Background Healthy lifestyle includes a regular practice of vigorous physical activity in adolescents’ leisure time. Engaging in physical activity (PA) depends on individual, social and environmental factors. Previous literature has showed that social support and loneliness can influence the practice of PA. The study aims to analyse the relation between PA during leisure time and social support and loneliness among adolescents in Luxembourg. Methods The study includes 7049 adolescents from the Health Behaviours in School-aged Children (HBSC) Luxembourg 2022 survey. PA in leisure time was categorised according to WHO recommendations for vigorous physical activity. Perceived social support (friends, family, teacher, and classmate) was dichotomised in high support and in low/medium and loneliness in feel often lonely and not feel often lonely. It was executed a binomial logistic regression to analyse the PA levels in leisure time by loneliness and social support, controlling by age, migration background, perceived wealth, and family structure, split by gender. Results In Luxembourg, boys who perceived high support from most of the sources and didn’t feel often lonely had higher chances to reach WHO recommendations for PA during leisure time (e.g. loneliness: OR = 1.38, CI95%[1.11-1.74]; family support: OR = 1.31, CI 95%[1.10-1.56]), except for teacher support (OR = 0.79, CI95%[0.67-0.93]). In contrast, girls who only perceived high support from classmates (OR = 1.21, CI95%[1.05-1.4]) and teachers (OR = 1.19, CI95%[1.01-1.38]) had higher chances to be physically active. Conclusions This is the first study to investigate the impact of social support and loneliness among adolescents in Luxembourg. Future research should investigate social-related barriers and facilitators of PA during leisure time. Key messages • Understanding adolescents social support can guide towards effective strategies that promote physical activity during leisure time. • Boys benefit from several social support sources, while girls thrive with encouragement from classmates and teachers to stay physically active in leisure time.

BEST-COST project: a scoping review on the use of multiple deprivation indices in Europe

Abstract Background A Multiple Deprivation Index (MDI) is a composite measure designed to comprehensively evaluate the socio-economic status of individuals within a population. While various countries have employed their own versions of MDI to assess deprivation, none have been developed at the European level thus far. The BEST-COST project (www.best-cost.eu) aims to integrate the dimension of social inequalities in the assessment of the burden of environmental stressors, using a new MDI. Therefore, the objective of this study is to conduct a scoping review to identify and assess current MDIs while extracting details on the methodologies employed in their development. Methods We conducted a scoping review on deprivation indices in European countries, encompassing three databases (Medline, Embase and Web of Science). Following screening of all the articles based on inclusion criteria, we specifically examined the methodological choices made across the development of the MDIs, such as the choice of the underlying indicators, geographical scales, data source used, and if and/or how indicator weighting was applied in creating a composite score. Results In total, 22 MDIs were identified from 195 articles. 42% of these indices were developed from census data at the municipality level or finer. About half of them (55%) employed weighting of indicators, thereby reflecting their relative importance within the index’s score. From these 22 MDIs, a total of 156 individual indicators were extracted. These indicators encompass several domains such as basic amenities, crime, education, employment, family structure or income. The extensive variety of indicators can be attributed to cultural differences within the EU, data availability and the specific time period during which each index was developed. Conclusions Several European countries have separately developed their own MDI, showcasing significant variability in both the included individual indicators and the methodologies applied. Key messages • This review highlights the variability of existing indices and which methodologies could be used for the development of a Europe-wide multiple deprivation index. • It further emphasizes the importance of considering cultural differences and data availability across countries in this process.

Association of healthy lifestyle on overweight and obesity among adolescents in Luxembourg

Abstract Background Adolescent overweight and obesity are significant public health challenges. Understanding the impact of healthy lifestyle behaviours is crucial for effective intervention strategies. The aim of this study is to analyse the association between healthy lifestyle behaviours with overweight and obesity among adolescents in Luxembourg. Methods The study was based on the HBSC Luxembourg 2022 survey and includes 8415 adolescents aged 11 to 18 years. Adolescents self-reported the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity, height, and body mass. Eating and physical activity behaviours were categorized based on WHO recommendations. Body Mass Index categorization followed International Obesity Task Force criteria. Binomial logistic regression of obesity and overweight with the interaction between healthy diet and physical activity was performed, controlling for age, gender, family affluence, migration background, and family structure. Results The results indicated a significant protective effect of healthy lifestyle behaviours against overweight and obesity. For overweight, adolescents engaging in either fruit and vegetable consumption (OR = 0.829, 95% CI [0.697-0.986]) or physical activity (OR = 0.719, 95% CI [0.566-0.913]) showed reduced odds compared to those with unhealthy behaviours. For obesity, similar associations were observed. Adolescents engaging in physical activity (OR = 0.407, 95% CI [0.235-0.705]) showed reduced odds compared to those with unhealthy behaviours. Combining both behaviours resulted in the lowest risk of obesity (OR = 0.366, 95% CI [0.177-0.760]) and overweight (OR = 0.473, 95% CI [0.340-0.658]). Conclusions Promoting health eating and physical activity behaviours are important strategies for preventing overweight and obesity in youth in Luxembourg. Implementing targeted interventions aimed to promote these behaviours could mitigate the burden of overweight and obesity in this population. Key messages • Healthy lifestyle matters: Fruit and vegetables consumption or regular physical activity significantly reduce the risk of overweight and obesity among adolescents. • Combining behaviours counts: Concurrent engagement in both fruit and vegetables consumption and physical activity offers the greatest protection against overweight and obesity.

Parent and adolescent perceptions of parent–child developmental relationships: The role of family routines

AbstractObjectiveThis study examined family routines in relation to the strength of parent–child developmental relationships and discordant perceptions among parents and their adolescent children.BackgroundPositive parent–child relationships and regular engagement in family routines are known to create a positive environment in which adolescents can thrive. Yet both parents and their children hold unique perspectives on family structure and functioning. Agreement between parent and child reports tend to be low and often become increasingly discrepant during adolescence. Engaging in consistent and predictable family routines may not only strengthen parent–child relationships but also result in more concordant perceptions of the quality of their shared relationship.MethodUsing data from 633 matched parents and their children, we examined the association between engagement in family routines and the strength of parent–adolescent relationships including discrepant reports using a latent congruence model.ResultsFamily routines were positively associated with stronger parent–adolescent relationships and less discrepant reports of this critical relationship.ConclusionEngagement in family routines plays an important role in parent–adolescent developmental relationships.ImplicationsFindings have important implications for practices and research focused on improving adolescent outcomes through family structures and parent–child relationships.

Young carers in Ghana: caring activities, ways into care and the impacts of caregiving

ABSTRACT In Ghana, children often provide care and support to family members with disabilities, mental illnesses and other health conditions. Understanding the nature of their caring activities is essential for identifying stressors and promoting better health and wellbeing outcomes for this group of children, described in the wider literature as young carers. This qualitative study investigated the nature and impact of caring activities on young carers aged 11–17 years. The findings revealed that young carers provide domestic, financial, medical and personal care. Caring activities while beneficial, result in a double burden, as young carers often support both the care recipients and their dependents. Despite the challenges associated with caring activities, the study also reveals the myriad reasons young carers enter care work, suggesting that the work of young carers is not simply an obligation or a choice but a process and an integral part of Ghanian family structures. The study highlights the urgent need for formal mechanisms to identify and support young carers and their care recipients in Ghana.

Stories of absence: Experiences of parental and familial rejection among gender-diverse children and young people.

Previous research has demonstrated the positive associations with parental support with better mental health outcomes in gender-diverse young people. However, less is known about what happens within a family structure if an unsupportive parent or family member leaves the family unit and sees the child only on the condition that they present in a way that conforms to their birth gender. This paper will focus on the first interviews with nine families within the wider sample of 39 families in the LOGIC-Q (Longitudinal Outcomes of Gender Identity in Children - qualitative) study who reported they had experienced rejection by a parent or family member after the young person had disclosed their gender non-conformity. These families' narratives are examined through two themes: How rejection impacts visitation, and Moving past the loss of rejection. The families all spoke about how they had adapted to the loss of their family members. They described how any negative impact would have been worse had they stayed living together, or were in contact with, the rejecting family member. Here, it becomes important then to understand the context of why a gender-diverse young person may choose to no longer see a parent or family member.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire: Deconstruction of Female Identity

Abstract: Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a drama film directed by Cline Sciamma and starring Adle Haenel and Nomie Merlant. The film centers on the passionate love story between Heloise, a bride on the brink of marriage, and Marianne, the painter commissioned to create her portrait. This paper analyses the construction and deconstruction of female identity in Portrait of a Lady on Fire through the lenses of gaze theory and feminist identity theory. It begins by exploring Heloise's resistance to the objectifying male gaze, illustrated through her defiance against the passive model identity and her challenge to the myth of Orpheus, which traditionally casts women in powerlessness and rescue role. The paper then delves into the film's critique of the roles of wife and mother within the patriarchal, heteronormative family structure, drawing on Simone de Beauvoir's ideas in The Second Sex to further contextualize the film's feminist discourse. Through these analyses, the paper reveals how the film reimagines and challenges traditional female identities, offering a detailed and subtle portrayal of women's autonomy and identity.

On Being a Good Worker, a Good Mother, a Good Carer: Women Journalists, Motherhood, and Caregiving

ABSTRACT This paper examines the relationship between journalism, caregiving, and family-building, focusing on women journalists in Portugal. Drawing on a critical thematic analysis of thirty interviews, it explores an analytic framework that includes cultural, structural, and agentic dimensions of career limitations, organised in three overarching themes. The first examines how women journalists experience work constraints stemming from traditional cultural ideals where women are still the main caregivers and work cultures that perpetuate a male perspective on professional routines. The second theme explores the mismatch between work and care responsibilities that arises from prevailing family structures and work processes. The third theme centres on how women journalists respond to constraints by making choices and developing strategies. Journalists’ reflexive deliberations about career decisions, employment conditions, family life and cultural assumptions underpinning parenthood demonstrate the complex interrelationship between cultural and working structures, organisational materiality, and agency. Together, these dimensions replicate patterns that make journalism more inhospitable for women. A central point in this research is that while a systemic gender bias exists beyond the sector, workplace inequalities are particularly consequential for journalism and democracy.

The Secondary Sex Ratio and Male Mortality at Pre-Reproductive Ages: A Test of Selection In Utero.

The secondary sex ratio (i.e., the ratio of male to female live births; hereafter referred to as the SSR) falls in populations encountering ambient stressors. Much theory and some empirical work indicates that males born to low SSR cohorts may be "positively selected" in that excess culling in utero may correspond with greater than expected survival among live-born males in that cohort. We extend prior work by testing, in historical Utah, whether the SSR varies positively with male mortality at pre-reproductive ages. This study uses detailed records from the Utah Population Database to focus on Utahns born 1850-1940. We use rigorous time-series methods, which control for strong secular declines in mortality as well as ambient perturbations shared equally among males and females, to investigate the male culling inference. We observe a positive relation between the SSR and male mortality during youth (i.e., 5 to < 20 years; p < 0.05) but not in infancy or early childhood. In this historical population, the SSR appears to gauge hardiness of surviving male cohorts. However, whether the high fertility and/or family structure context of Latter-day Saints in historical Utah explains the age-specific pattern of male mortality warrants further scrutiny.

Social Aspects of the Demographic Situation in Uzbekistan

This article investigates the sociocultural dimensions of the demographic landscape in Uzbekistan, with a particular emphasis on population expansion, urbanization processes, and transformations in familial structures. The demographic populace of Uzbekistan has exhibited consistent growth, surpassing 36 million individuals in the year 2023, characterized by an annual increase rate of 1.5%. Current urbanization patterns indicate that half of the populace now inhabits urban locales, thereby engendering challenges in educational access, healthcare provision, and employment opportunities. The research employs data derived from national censuses alongside academic investigations to scrutinize these dynamics and offers policy recommendations aimed at alleviating their societal repercussions. Also, in this article, an attempt was made to predict the demograqfic state of birth, marriage, employment, urbanization and its prospective state in Uzbekistan.

Examining the relationship between social well-being levels of health personnel and their perception of gender roles: a university hospital example

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between the social well-being of healthcare professionals and their perception of gender roles. The correlational screening model was used in the research. The study group consisted of 247 healthcare professionals working in a university hospital. As a data collection tool in the research, the Social Well-Being Scale-Healthcare Professionals Version, Gender Roles Attitude Scale, and Demographic Data Form were used. Unrelated Samples t-test, One-Way Analysis of Variance, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient, and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis techniques were used to analyze the data. It was determined that the social well-being average of healthcare workers was 121.43 ± 24.46 and the gender role average was 99.48 ± 9.70. It was observed that the average social well-being of healthcare professionals differed at a statistically significant level according to family structure, length of service in the current institution, alcohol use, gender roles, gender, and profession (p < .05). As a result of the research, it was determined that there is a positive relationship between social well-being and gender roles. It was determined that gender roles, gender, length of service in the current institution and alcohol use status significantly predict social well-being.

Determinants of Forest Recreation Visitors’ Environmentally Responsible Behavior: The Moderating Role of Family Structure

This research aims to verify the relationships between destination ij3dentity, environmental concern, and environmentally responsible behavior (ERB), based on the Cognition–Affect–Behavior (C–A–B) model, in the Sun-Link-Sea Forest Recreation Area (SLSFRA) in Taiwan. This study also aims to address the gap in understanding whether tourists’ family structure, with or without children, influences the impact of destination identity on their environmental concerns and ERB. A total of 431 samples were collected through convenience sampling and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The findings indicated that destination identity significantly influenced environmental concern, which in turn affected the general and specific ERB. Environmental concern acted as a mediator between destination identity and ERB. Specifically, tourists who strongly identified with the destination were more inclined to be concerned that its environmental condition influenced their travel experience, encouraging them to take action to protect the environment. Families with children who had greater environmental concern exhibited stronger general and specific environmentally responsible behavior (ERB) compared to families without children, who were more influenced by the impact of forest destination identity on their ERB. Practical implications for management and future research suggestions are proposed for relevant organizations and researchers.

Impact of self-restraint by COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in college students-COVID-19 Longitudinal survey of the 2nd and 3rd waves

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in students at university. [Method] 1880 students from university were surveyed. Survey period: July-August 2020 Demographic factors were used department, grade, gender, age. Mental health factors (PHQ-9 Japanese version, GAD-7 Japanese version, IES-R) were used. Decreased motivation to learn, loneliness: Japanese version UCLA loneliness scale was used. [Results] As a result of the survey, in (July-August), 737 patients (123 males and 614 females) were recovered (recovery rate 40.9%). As a result, in terms of gender difference, males had a higher total of "loneliness" than females and had a higher total of PTSD and "invasive symptoms". Students whose parents corresponded to corona had high "anxiety" and "depression". Students who felt rumors had high scores for "PTSD," "depression," "anxiety," and "loneliness." Students "seeking support" also scored higher on PTSD, depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Those who were "not very careful" about infection control were more likely to be depressed than those who were "careful", and those who were "quite careful" were less motivated to learn. Family structure and parental profession have no effect. In addition, the relationship between each psychiatric symptom (PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder) and "loneliness" and "motivation to learn" was examined using covariance structure analysis. When the model was examined, the models of "loneliness" ⇒ "decreased learning motivation" ⇒ "PTSD" ⇒ "depression" and "anxiety" were verified. In other words, it was shown that it is important to deal with "loneliness" to improve mental health and learning motivation during the COVID 19 pandemic. [Conclusion] At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, college students may be high-risk persons with mental health problems.

The Cartonnage of Paysetjenfy (SMDAN 1353) Found in Dra Abu el-Naga

Summary In 2016, the Spanish Mission at Dra Abu el-Naga (hereafter SMDAN), directed by José M. Galán, found eight cartonnage mummy-cases. They were torn into pieces and discovered in the largest shaft and burial chamber of a group of funerary and commemorative structures that are located to the south-west of the open courtyard of the tomb-chapel belonging to Djehuty (TT 11). Built during the late 17th or early 18th dynasties, the shaft and chamber were thoroughly plundered and repeatedly reused over several centuries, especially during the Third Intermediate Period. One of the cartonnages, SMDAN 1353, made for Paysetjenfy, has been selected for a comprehensive analysis of its decoration, including its state of preservation, technique of execution and its textual and iconographic content. A combined study of the archaeological context and the materiality of this artefact, with a search for parallels for its decoration and an investigation into the genealogical and prosopographic information concerning its owner are undertaken. This type of research will help to contextualise this cartonnage within the Theban manufacturing industry of cartonnage cases and the complex social structure of families bearing the highest ranks in the priesthood of Amun during the 22nd dynasty.

Phonon collapse and anharmonic melting of the 3D charge-density wave in kagome metals

The charge-density wave (CDW) mechanism and resulting structure of the AV3Sb5 family of kagome metals has posed a puzzling challenge since their discovery four years ago. In fact, the lack of consensus on the origin and structure of the CDW hinders the understanding of the emerging phenomena. Here, by employing a non-perturbative treatment of anharmonicity from first-principles calculations, we reveal that the charge-density transition in CsV3Sb5 is driven by the large electron-phonon coupling of the material and that the melting of the CDW state is attributed to ionic entropy and lattice anharmonicity. The calculated transition temperature is in very good agreement with experiments, implying that soft mode physics are at the core of the charge-density wave transition. Contrary to the standard assumption associated with a pure kagome lattice, the CDW is essentially three-dimensional as it is triggered by an unstable phonon at the L point. The absence of involvement of phonons at the M point enables us to constrain the resulting symmetries to six possible space groups. The unusually large electron-phonon linewidth of the soft mode explains why inelastic scattering experiments did not observe any softened phonon. We foresee that large anharmonic effects are ubiquitous and could be fundamental to understand the observed phenomena also in other kagome families.