Supportive Family Environment Research Articles

Factors Associated with Psychosocial Symptoms Experienced by Students in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multivariate Analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted many sectors, including the education sector. After in-person school activities were suspended due to the pandemic, a number of educational institutions in Indonesia reported concerns in implementing online learning due to the institutions' unpreparedness. This issue may potentially induce mental health disorders among students and triggers long-term stress. This study aimed to examine factors linked to the psychosocial symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression in response to the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. An online cross-sectional study in Indonesia was conducted with 433 undergraduate and senior high school students aged 15 to 26 years old, both female and male. The self-reported symptoms were analyzed using both bivariate and multivariate linear regression methods. It was found that the percentage of participants with depression symptoms was 66%, while 61% and 43% participants experienced stress and anxiety respectively. The bivariate analysis presented strong correlations between anxiety and gender, learning duration and use of gadgets, internet expenses, and highly-interrupted learning. Furthermore, the multivariate regression revealed that only anxiety was significantly linked to internet expenses. This study indicates that many students are affected by COVID-19, the impacts of which manifest in psychosocial issues in the form of anxiety. We suggest that creating a supportive and positive family environment would help to alleviate some of these issues.

Suicide in the geriatric population of South East Asia - contexts and attributes

Suicide in the geriatric population is a significant problem. Increasing age, living alone, having a psychiatric illness and medical comorbidities have been identified as risk factors for suicide among the elderly population. The elderly population in South East Asia is rapidly growing and the number of elderly people with mental illness and/or medical comorbidities is also increasing. The factors and attributes of suicide may vary from region to region due to socio-cultural and geographic diversities. Understanding these factors may help in planning suicide prevention strategies for the elderly population. There is a dearth of studies assessing the demography, risk factors for, and prevention of suicide among the elderly population in South East Asia. We tried to observe and explain the challenging paradigms to excerpt attributes and the context of geriatric suicide. It is observed in this review that lack of social integration or interaction along with some psychiatric disorders leads to suicidal ideation and completed suicide in the elderly. South East Asia has unique characteristics in several aspects like religious and cultural diversity, poverty, unemployment, demographic structure of the region, migration, natural disasters and calamities, political environment, poor policy implementation, and easy access to suicide means (e.g. pesticides). Primary care physicians, specialized mental health support, gate-keeper training, means restriction, raising awareness, supportive family environment, and dedicated call centers could be potential areas for suicide prevention among the elderly people of the region. Further studies are warranted to formulate effective suicide prevention strategies.

Analisis Kesulitan Belajar Matematika dalam Menyelesaikan Soal Cerita Siswa Kelas V SDN Karawaci 1

This study aims to identify the difficulties faced by grade V students at SDN Karawaci 1 in solving story-shaped problems in mathematics subjects and identify factors that cause students to have difficulty learning mathematics. This research is a type of descriptive qualitative research with a case study approach. The subjects in this study were 5 grade V students of SDN Karawaci 1. Data collection techniques use observations, tests, interviews, and document studies. The results showed that the types of learning difficulties experienced by students in solving decimal fractional material story questions were 23 times students who had difficulty in understanding the questions, as many as 8 times students who had difficulty in using counting operations, as many as 11 times students who had difficulty solving questions, and as many as 21 times students who had difficulty in drawing conclusions. Factors that cause students to have learning difficulties are consisting of internal factors and external factors. Internal factors include students' attitudes in learning, student learning motivation, intellectual abilities and the health of the student's body. Meanwhile, external factors include the lack of variety of teaching methods used by teachers, the use of media that has not been maximized, school facilities and infrastructure, and a less supportive family environment.

A Norwegian Soul in a Chinese Body? Ethnic Identity and Chinese Adoptees in Norway

The ethnic identity of international adoptees has been a transdisciplinary field of inquiry over the past decades. Taking China-born adopted Norwegian citizens as research subjects, this study uses a mixed-method approach to explore how they perceive their ethnic identity and origin in the host society of Norway. We find that Chinese adoptees mainly identify as racially Chinese but culturally Norwegian, and their Chineseness lies primarily in their appearance. They generally feel secure about their ethnic background despite the challenges and paradoxes caused by their Chinese looks. Most adoptees have no attachment to their birth country, and their interests in China and Chinese culture are usually instrumental and individual-based. Three main socio-cultural factors shape the ethnic identity of China-born adopted children: (1) the negligible impact of their pre-adoptive history upon them, (2) a supportive family environment acknowledging their differences, and (3) an inclusive socio-cultural environment that respects ethnic diversities. No clear tendency towards constructing or enacting double identities among the adoptees was found. Finally, our respondents reported fewer racist experiences than suggested by recent literature on migrants and international adoptees in current literature. This aspect needs further research, also in reference to other cohorts of adoptees.

Fatal Violent discipline in children – Two case reports

A growing child attains psychological maturity and social skills while interacting with society. A supportive family and social environment will positively influence the child's development. Instead, children are experiencing various forms of abuse, violence, and cruelty. The authors report two such cases of children who were physically assaulted by their biological father and stepfather for disobedience, resulting in death. The autopsy surgeon should focus not only on the obvious external physical signs of violence but also on subtle or concealed signs in suspicious circumstances or incomplete and unreliable history provided by the parents. The article highlights the prevention of violence against children and the role of the autopsy Surgeon in detecting child abuse.

Strategi Guru Pendidikan Agama Islam Dalam Pembentukan Kedisiplinan Siswa Di SMA Negeri 1 Jombang

PAI teacher strategy is needed in the formation of student discipline character. Strategy is a pattern that is planned and determined intentionally to carry out activities or actions. The strategy includes the objectives of the activity, who is involved in the activities, the process of activities, and the means of supporting activities. The focus of this research includes: 1. How is the strategy of PAI teachers in the formation of discipline. 2. What are the inhibiting and supporting factors in the formation of discipline. The research objectives are: 1. To describe the strategy of PAI teachers in forming student discipline in SMA Negeri 1 Jombang. 2. Describing student discipline at SMA Negeri 1 Jombang. 3. Describe the factors supporting and inhibiting the formation of student discipline in SMA Negeri 1 Jombang? This study uses a qualitative method with a qualitative descriptive design that uses data collection techniques through observation, interviews and documentation. The results of the study show that: 1. The strategy used by PAI teachers in forming student discipline uses strategies inside and outside the classroom. The strategies in the classroom are using Expository, Inquiry and Reflective learning strategies and strategies outside the classroom are using exemplary methods, habituation and punishment. 2. The discipline applied at SMA Negeri 1 Jombang is time discipline, discipline to enforce and obey the rules, discipline in attitude and discipline in worship. 3. Supporting factors are the cooperation between the principal and the waka student, PAI teachers, teachers of other subjects, and a supportive family environment. While the inhibiting factor is the lack of awareness of the students themselves, many parents pay less attention to their children, especially in terms of discipline and its influence on the family and community environment.

Trajectory of problematic smartphone use among adolescents aged 10-18 years: The roles of childhood family environment and concurrent parent-child relationships.

Background and aimsAdolescence is a period of high incidence of problematic smartphone use. Understanding the developmental trajectory of problematic smartphone use in adolescence and its influencing factors could guide the choice of timing for prevention and intervention. This study fitted the growth trajectory of problematic smartphone use among adolescents and examined its associations with the childhood family environment and concurrent parent–child relationships.MethodsUsing a cohort sequential design, we investigated 2,548 Chinese adolescents and their parents three times in three years. Multiple group multiple cohort growth models were used to fit the growth trajectory.ResultsThe quadratic growth trajectory of problematic smartphone use in adolescents aged 10–18 years showed a clear increasing trend, with a possible decreasing trend in late adolescence or early adulthood. Early life socioeconomic status, childhood family unpredictability, and the concurrent parent–child relationship had unique impacts on the development of problematic smartphone use during adolescence.Discussion and conclusionsEarly adolescence is a favorable time for problematic smartphone use prevention and intervention. A supportive family environment should be maintained throughout the different developmental stages of children and adolescents.

Leaving the family home to start university: How is home-leaving related to family environment and attachment?

Going to university may entail moving away from home. Leaving the family household is a complex and important stage in the process whereby young people gradually gain independence from their family. The purpose of the present study was to identify different home-leaving profiles at the start of university, and analyze how they are related to the family environment (i.e., parents-child and family relationships) and attachment, adopting a person-oriented approach. Our sample consisted of 1,142 emerging adults who had just started university (70.67% females; Mage = 18.43 years, SDage = 0.57). Latent class and cluster analyses highlighted diversity in home-leaving, family environment, and attachment profiles. Participants with the independent home-leaving profile frequently returned to the family household. There were no family environment profiles with mixed scores. Participants with insecure attachment profiles had higher levels of anxiety compared with those reported in previous studies. A configural frequency analysis revealed three typical patterns and one antitypical one. Semi-independent home-leaving was linked to a supportive and positive family environment and to secure attachment, whereas both co-resident and independent home-leaving patterns were related to unsupportive, controlling, and conflictual family environment and to anxious attachment. Overall, these findings emphasize the specificity of the context of going to university and provide meaningful knowledge about the independence of emerging adult students.

The Amplification of Cyberhate Victimisation by Discrimination and Low Life Satisfaction: Can Supportive Environments Mitigate the Risks?

There is some indication that discrimination as well as low levels of life satisfaction render young people at risk of cyberhate victimization. Adopting a socio-ecological perspective, this paper examines whether supportive family, peer and school environments may buffer against the effects of perceived discrimination and low life satisfaction on cyberhate victimization. Data from four countries ( N = 3396) of the EU Kids Online IV survey on children aged 11–17 (51% girls) revealed a positive association between perceived discrimination and cyberhate victimization, but this impact was moderated by supportive family and peer environments. A negative association between life satisfaction and cyberhate victimization was mitigated by peer support. However, no associations with the school context were found. The current study provides new insights on how social support on different levels of the social environment may buffer against potential risk factors for cyberhate victimization and can inform decision-makers towards intervention and prevention strategies.

Associations among professional quality of life dimensions, burnout, nursing practice environment, and turnover intention in newly graduated nurses.

Professional quality of life affects nurses' well-being and the quality of care. However, little attention is paid to the relationships among professional quality of life dimensions, burnout, nursing practice environment, and intention to leave this job in newly graduated nurses. To assess the levels of professional quality of life dimensions and turnover intention, to examine the predictors for turnover intention, and to explore the mediating roles of professional quality of life dimensions on the associations between these predictors and turnover intention in Chinese newly graduated nurses. This was a cross-sectional study with 315 newly graduated nurses selected from five tertiary hospitals and five secondary hospitals in Sichuan province, China. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the effects of demographic characteristics and work-related factors on intention to leave this job. Structural equation modeling technique was performed to explore the mediating effect of each domain of professional quality of life on the relationships between the predictors and turnover intention. The prevalence of average levels of burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion satisfaction was 43.2%, 57.1%, and 81.3%, respectively. Moreover, 43.8% and 0.6% of the participants reported high and exceptionally high intention to leave this job. Nursing practice environment, social support, and empathy indirectly and significantly affected turnover intention via the mediating roles of burnout and compassion satisfaction, respectively. However, no significant mediating effect of secondary traumatic stress was found between these predictors and turnover intention. Perceptions of greater nursing practice environment, social support, and empathy result in lower turnover intention via reducing burnout and facilitating compassion satisfaction. Strategies such as developing a supportive work and family environment, and cultivating empathic capacity can be effective methods to mitigate against intention to leave this job in newly graduated nurses.

Family Environment and Portuguese Adolescents: Impact on Quality of Life and Well-Being.

Background: A healthy and supportive family environment leads to more positive results regarding adolescents’ development. The main objective of this study was to explore and analyze the relationship between adolescents’ quality of life (QoL) and their family environment/relationship. Method: The sample was collected as part of the Health Behavior in School-aged Children 2018 study, which included 8215 adolescents, 52.7% female, with a mean age of 14.36 years (SD = 2.28). Results: Girls are more involved in family activities (such as family meals), report being treated with fairness by their parents and feel less parental pressure to get good grades. Boys have a higher perception regarding their family affluence, better family relationships and support and better QoL. Having an above-average QoL is significantly related to high family affluence, better communication with both parents, greater involvement in family activities, greater perception of help from parents regarding decision-making, greater perception of being treated with fairness by parents and less pressure from parents to get good grades, as well as a better family relationship/support. Conclusion: It is important to determine the impact that parental divorce/separation or a weak parent–child relationship can have on adolescents. It is also necessary to consider the family relationship and structure when devising strategies and public policies related to the promotion of adolescents’ health and well-being.

Compliance with Health-Related Behaviors Guidelines and Its Relationship with Multiple Factors in Preschool Children Aged 3-6 Years: A National Cross-Sectional Survey in China.

Purpose: To investigate the compliance rates of health-related behaviors among Chinese preschool children, and to explore how supportive family environment, parental behavior, sociodemographic and community factors affect children’s health-related behavior comprehensively. Method: Preschool children aged 3 to 6 years were chosen from 5760 villages (residential) committees from 471 counties (districts) of 31 provinces by use of a stratified random sampling procedure, with 10,967 preschool children aged 3–6 years old included. The survey was conducted from September 2020 to November 2020. Results: The proportion of Chinese preschool children who met the moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), screen time behavior (ST), and sleep behavior (SLP) guidelines were 62.3%, 52.8%, and 53.8%. Among the supportive family environment factors, parents’ time with their children on weekends had the most significant impact on children’s MVPA, ST, and SLP, with the odds ratio (OR) values of 2.18 (95%CI:1.97, 2.40), 0.69 (0.63, 0.76), and 1.62 (1.48, 1.79), respectively. Among the parental behavior factors, the mother’s exercise frequency had a strong association with the children’s MVPA and SLP, with OR values of 1.65 (1.50, 1.83) and 1.24 (1.13, 1.37), respectively; the mother’s screen time was inversely associated with the children’s ST with an OR value of 0.47 (0.44, 0.51). Conclusions: Different types of family environments were associated with the different levels of MVPA, ST and SLP among Chinese preschool children. In addition to the influence of parents’ education and family income, parents could also improve their children’s behaviors by providing a supportive family environment. The more of these factors presented in a family, the more likely it was for children to meet the guidelines. Therefore, for those families whose children’s health-related behaviors needed to be improved, the parents should create supportive family environments, such as by playing less on mobile phone and spending more time with children.

Acceptance Commitment Therapy Intervention for Custodial Grandfamilies: A Virtual Implementation

Custodial grandfamilies often face challenges, such as psychological distress, parenting burden, and grandchildren showing internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Given their circumstances, effective training and education is critical to provide a supportive family environment for both custodial grandparents and custodial grandchildren. The aim of this study was to develop, pilot and evaluate a psychosocial intervention for custodial grandfamilies. The program, interACT, was implemented virtually due to restrictions related to COVID-19. It is an intervention for custodial grandparents (CGPs) and custodial grandchildren (CGC) to improve psychological wellbeing and life skills. Participant eligibility was determined by grandfamilies having Iowa residency and legal guardianship or custody of an 8-12 year old grandchild. The program utilizes the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) framework, focusing on psychological flexibility, acceptance, and psychosocial resilience for CGPs and CGC. The program used techniques such as mindfulness, self-compassion, and decision-making skills. During the pilot program stage, participants were divided into CGPs and CGC groups, and completed self-paced weekly 45 minute long modules through a program website. To enhance online session experience, Extension staff facilitated hour-long Zoom calls to discuss module contents and foster peer connection for both groups. Findings will be available at the conclusion of the pilot program. We expect to find increased psychological well-being and improved life skills for both groups right after the implementation of the ACT. Findings and limitations will be discussed with practical implication for program implementation via virtual delivery for the current custodial families. Future studies could extend current curriculum to other populations.

Effects of a Mindful Parenting Workshop for Parents of Adolescents and Young Adults Following Social Unrest in Hong Kong.

ObjectivesThe social unrest that began in Hong Kong in 2019 became a threat to public mental health, such as for depression and post-traumatic stress disorders. A supportive family environment is the most effective protective factor for mental health problems for young people who are exposed to conflict and violence. This study investigated the outcomes of a brief mindful parenting workshop on parent mental health and family functioning.MethodsUsing a randomized controlled trial design, 54 parents of adolescents and young adults were randomized into intervention group and waitlist control group. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, negative emotions, family functioning, and family conflicts were measured at baseline (pretest), following training, and at 3-month follow-up.ResultsWe found a significant improvement in family functioning among parents in the intervention group when compared to those parents in the control group (F [1, 51] = 4.41, p = .04). When we further controlled the child-initiated physical conflict as covariate, a significant reduction of self-rated levels of depressive symptoms was found in the parents from the intervention group when compared to the parents in the control group (F [1, 49] = 5.14, p = .03).ConclusionsWe found preliminary evidence that a brief mindful parenting workshop can strengthen parent and family mental health at times of social unrest.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04427683).

Post Traumatic Growth for Gestational Diabetic Patients During COVID-19: Role of Partner Supportive Communication and Family Environment.

PurposeLeading a normal life and managing daily psychological or physical stress is hard for everybody but when a person is diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during a widespread pandemic, the battle is inescapable. This research aimed to explore some positive dimensions that can lessen the adversities of these women.Design and MethodsWe assessed all 200 cases of GDM who were registered in the maternity wards of the government and private hospitals of South Punjab, Pakistan. Respondents were diagnosed with GDM during the first wave of COVID-19. Post-traumatic growth (PTG) inventory, Family environment scale, and Partner supportive communication (PSC) scale were used. SEM and moderation analysis was conducted to test the hypothesized relationship among the variables.ResultsResult showed that elicitation of thoughts and feelings (β = 0.109, t-value = 3.501, p = 0.001), effective listening (β = −0.144, t-value = 1.928, p = 0.054), and communication towards partner (β = −0.209, t-value = 4.850, p = 0.005) significantly moderated the relationship between family environment and post traumatic growth.Practical ImplicationsThis research is beneficial for health practitioners because the trauma of being diagnosed with such a disease can be alleviated by the role of family environment and PSC.

ПРОБЛЕМЫ ВОСПИТАНИЯ И АДАПТАЦИИ ДЕВОЧЕК-ПОДРОСТКОВ 15-17 ЛЕТ В ПРИЕМНЫХ СЕМЬЯХ

Orphans and children left without parental care can be placed in adoptive families, which is supposed to ensure the best possible conditions for the upbringing and social adaptation of such children in a supportive family environment. Adaptation is seen as a social and psychological process of adjusting to new living conditions and psychological climate in the adoptive family. The study seeks to identify specific features of the upbringing and adaptation of adolescent females aged 15-17 who are children under wardship in adoptive families. The study is based on a questionnaire survey method. The object of the present study is adolescent females who are in the care of adoptive families and are undergoing medical treatment or screening in the adolescent unit for females aged 15-17 at the public healthcare institution “No. 4 Psychiatric Hospital” of the Moscow region. To investigate the upbringing and adaptation issues, a survey was conducted using the following questionnaires: 1) Adolescents’ perception of parents; 2) Family ambience scale; 3) Social and psychological adaptation scale. The questionnaire-based survey of adolescent females aged 15-17 raised in adoptive families yielded insights about the psychological aspect of relations between children and adoptive parents, which reveals the content and specificity of parenting practices from the perspective of the teenage girls. The study also evaluates the social climate in adoptive families and the sociopsychological adaptation of adolescent females to the new living conditions and parenting style. Questionnaire-based investigations can help identify existing problems in the upbringing of adolescent females in adoptive families, which may further advance evidence-based approaches to facilitating the social adaptation of adolescent females.

Emergency Remote Online Course Experience From Students Perspective: A Case Study

The Coronavirus has changed the world in many ways, including education. The epidemic outbreak led to the conversion of courses in many schools and universities from traditional face-to-face classrooms to virtual courses. This situation is a major challenge in a country like Kenya, where IT facilities remain basic. Not all students have the advantage of technological conditions or a supportive family environment. This qualitative case study design is aimed to explore how students portrayed their participation in remote online courses. This study focuses on the experiences of six Standard Eight students in one of the elementary schools in Kisii, Kenya, with ages between 13-15 years old, to cope with multilevel challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic. The data were collected through semi-structured telephone interviews with each participant after permissions were acquired from the students’ parents or guardians. The findings of the study show six emergent themes and sub-themes. The themes that emerged from the interviews are 1) Course descriptions; 2) learning experience; 3) Delivery methods; 4) Materials; 5) Interactions; 6) Challenges.

Explaining Individual Differences in Advantageous Inequity Aversion by Social-Affective Trait Dimensions and Family Environment

Humans are averse to both having less (i.e., disadvantageous inequity aversion [IA]) and having more than others (i.e., advantageous IA). However, the social-affective traits that drive individual differences in IA are not well understood. Here, by combining a modified dictator game and a computational model, we found in a sample of incarcerated adolescents (N = 67) that callous-unemotional traits were specifically associated with low advantageous but not disadvantageous IA. We replicated and extended the finding in a large-scale university student sample (N = 2,250) by adopting a dimensional approach to social-affective trait measures. We showed that advantageous IA was strongly and negatively associated with a trait dimension characterized by callousness and lack of social emotions (e.g., guilt and compassion). A supportive family environment negatively correlated with this trait dimension and positively with advantageous IA. These results identify a core set of social-affective dimensions specifically associated with advantageous IA.

Geriatric malnutrition and depression: Evidence from elderly home care population in Bangladesh.

Malnutrition is the root of numerous complications ranging from physical disability to mental health problems like depression. Depending on the intensity, depression can lead to emotional fluctuations, even suicidal attempts. Geriatric health in a country like Bangladesh is often ignored, although they are a growing segment of society. This community-based cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of depression and malnutrition in the elderly to evaluate the relationship between depression and malnutrition. Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used to determine nutritional status, and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to assess depression. About 84% of the participants showed a different array of depression symptoms. The rate of malnutrition and depression is higher among the male participants. Being malnourished (OR: 4.05, 95% CI: 2.79-5.87) and people are at risk of malnutrition (OR:1.67, 95% CI:1.24-2.24) had a significantly higher risk of suffering from depression. Maintaining a good physical state, a healthy lifestyle, and a supportive family environment are among the factors that can reduce depression in the elderly population. Therefore, to fight depression, specific programs and targeted interventions focusing on physical and mental stability for the elderly at the community level can enhance awareness at the individual and family levels.

Environmental sensitivity and cardiac vagal tone as moderators of the relationship between family support and well-being in low SES children: An exploratory study

This cross-sectional study explored whether the association between perceived family support and child well-being was moderated by the individual trait of Environmental Sensitivity (the ability to register, process, and respond to stimuli) and cardiac vagal tone (CVT, an index of self-regulation) in a sample of children living in socioeconomically disadvantaged families. Participating children ( N = 131, Mage= 7.20 years, 47% boys) were individually interviewed about the support received within the family as well as their physical and emotional well-being. Children’s sensitivity was assessed via a series of behavioral tasks, and CVT was recorded at rest. Hierarchical cluster analysis on the behavioral items yielded three sensitivity groups: “Low sensitive” (43%), “Moderately sensitive” (33%), and “Highly sensitive” (24%). The three groups of children did not differ in baseline CVT. However, linear regression analyses revealed that at low and average levels of family support, highly sensitive children with higher resting CVT reported better well-being than those with low resting CVT, whereas no effect was observed among children in the other two groups. In the context of high family support, children reported high levels of well-being irrespective of their levels of vagal activity or sensitivity. The findings suggest that among low SES families, when children experience a poorly supportive family environment and are highly sensitive to negative experiences, having a higher resting CVT may confer an advantage in terms of well-being. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.