Family Systems Research Articles

Family history at the crossroads: reflections on past, present, and future challenges

This paper contains the reflections of the author on the state of family history within the constellation of History and the Social Sciences. The first part of the paper presents a brief outline of how the discipline was founded and the elements in play that contributed to its enormous initial success, especially visible during the last three decades of the twentieth century. In recent years, however, there is some indication that research output on family history has been in decline and, more important, appears to have lost a significant part of the luster it once had. In the second part of this paper the author looks at the importance of promoting a past–present dialogue on the family and the way both historians and social scientists understand it. Ways of strengthening interactions between family history and family studies are discussed, as is the crucial importance for the discipline of the data revolution currently underway that for the first time offers massive information about families around the world over the past six decades. The author argues that both historians and social scientists have much to say about family life during this relatively recent past, albeit from very different perspectives. Studying family change constitutes a key challenge for the field. We discuss different ways of approaching this issue in the recent past, as well as the advisability of looking at the concept of family systems more closely. In societies or regions where earlier more historical data exist (normally in the more developed world), it may also be possible to link existing historical results to those from the census microdata era in order to provide a new, long-term perspective on family life spanning two centuries or even more. For social scientists and family historians alike, understanding the key dimensions of change and their implications for society constitute a crucial challenge for the discipline.

Infant Temperament and Coparenting Support as Antecedents of French-Canadian Fathers’ Autonomy Support During Toddlerhood

SYNOPSIS Objective. Although a growing body of evidence suggests that paternal autonomy support (AS) promotes optimal child development in multiple spheres, antecedents of paternal AS have seldom been explored. The present longitudinal study used a family systems perspective to gain deeper insights into child and maternal antecedents of observed paternal AS versus controlling practices during toddlerhood. Design. Using a sample of 169 French-Canadian fathers (M age = 33.70 years old, SD = 4.74) and mothers (M = 31.46 years, SD = 4.11) with an infant (52% boys, 48% girls), structural equation modeling was conducted to investigate the predictive role of infant temperament and maternal coparenting support and gate closing attitudes on observed paternal AS and control, controlling for paternal psychological symptoms. At 6 months post-partum, fathers’ and mothers’ perceptions of infant temperament (extraversion/surgency, effortful control, and negative affectivity), maternal coparenting support and gate closing attitudes, and paternal psychological symptoms were assessed using questionnaires. At 12 months, both paternal AS and control were rated using a well-validated coding scheme, applied to a father-toddler problem-solving sequence filmed at home. Results. Findings revealed that infant extraversion/surgency as perceived by fathers at 6 months was prospectively associated with less paternal AS and more paternal control at 12 months. In contrast, maternal coparenting support at 6 months was associated with more paternal AS and less paternal control at 12 months. Conclusions. Policies and intervention programs that want to promote paternal AS should consider fathers’ perceptions of coparenting support and child temperament.

Characteristics of the parent-child relationship in families of children with cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis (literature review)

Multiple sclerosis (MS) and cerebral palsy (CP) are chronic disabling diseases caused by central nervous system affection. The diagnosis of a chronic illness in a child is a psychotraumatic event that disrupts the structure and functioning of the family system, the psychological well-being and the health of family members. In the process of adapting to the stress factor, both parent-child relationships and marital relationships are deformed. In most families raising disabled children, disharmonious parenting styles prevail. Parents report a decrease in quality of life, dissatisfaction with their role and family relationships, experience anxiety, depression, guilt and helplessness and try to compensate for the psychological distress by focusing on the child's problems, often sacrificing their private life and free time. In addition, parents of children with MS are burdened by a sense of insecurity related to the difficult-to-control and unpredictable course of the disease. The lack of a sufficient number of scientific studies on this topic does not allow us to draw clear conclusions about the influence of the type of child's disease progression (progressive, stationary) on the characteristics of the parent-child relationship. In addition, longitudinal studies are needed to assess the dynamics of parent-child relationships and the effectiveness of psychocorrective interventions in families with children with MS and CP. The review is based on a theoretical study of the issues of parent-child relationships in families raising children with CP and MS and the impact of chronic disabling illness on the family system, which was conducted based on a systematic literature search of PubMed, Google Scholar, eLibrary and DisserCat databases.

The Role of Family Functioning in Over-Adaptation and Subjective Well-Being Among Japan’s Youth: The Moderating Effect of Gender Differences and Rumination

This study investigates the influence of family functioning on the subjective well-being of Japanese university students, focusing on the serial mediation roles of internal and external aspects of over-adaptation and the moderating effects of gender and rumination. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey of 219 university students, this study gathered data on a variety of factors including family functioning, over-adaptation, subjective well-being, and demographic variables. Key findings indicate that effective family functioning reduces the detrimental impacts of over-adaptation on internal aspects, thereby enhancing students’ subjective well-being. This study substantiates the application of family system theory in developmental psychology, providing empirical support for interventions aimed at improving students’ psychological health. Moreover, it highlights the role of rumination as a significant moderator in the relationship between over-adaptation and subjective well-being, suggesting avenues for further investigation into individual psychological coping mechanisms. This research has profound implications for the development of targeted family interventions and mental health strategies within clinical psychology.

Community Insights on Violence against Children: Awareness, Engagement, and Predictive Variables in the Context of Hawassa City Administration

This study seeks to investigate community insights on violence against children, focusing on awareness, involvement, and predicting factors within the Hawassa City Administration in Ethiopia. The study employed a cross-sectional explanatory research design, incorporating a mixed-methods approach. Three hundred ninety-one respondents participated in this study, along with seven individuals for in-depth interviews and sixteen participants in focus groups. A single population proportion formula was employed to determine sample size, and a systematic sampling procedure was utilized to select participants from the chosen kebeles. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized to analyze the quantitative data. The qualitative data were analyzed via the thematic analysis method. The study results revealed that all respondents are aware of violence against children; for 57.3% of the respondents, sexual abuse comes to their mind first when they think of violence against children. While 71.4% of the respondents are well informed on measures they can take to address violence against children, only 47.3% of the respondents have the experience of taking measures to address violence against children. The average mean score of 2.19 indicates that the community's level of engagement in addressing violence against children is low. The analysis identified key predictors of community engagement: attitude toward violence against children (β = -.244, t(-4.286), p < 0.05), age (β = -.223, t(-3.997), p < 0.05), habit of working with community policing (β = -.220, t(-3.931), p < 0.05), and role in the existing community structure (β =.178, t(3.135), p < 0.05). The study identified various community-based protection structures, including family systems, religious institutions, educational institutions, community policing services, community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations, governmental organizations, and legal frameworks. These findings suggest the need for strengthening community-based protection mechanisms while addressing the identified gaps between awareness and active engagement in child violence protection

The struggle for support: How partnerships ensure no one faces it alone

Adolescent mental health is deeply influenced by family, school, and external support systems, yet many youth face significant gaps in care. Supportive families foster emotional resilience, while positive school environments and teacher-student relationships mitigate mental health challenges. However, insufficient school counselors and barriers to external mental health services leave many adolescents struggling alone. This paper underscores the need for collaborative partnerships among families, schools, and external services to create a comprehensive support network, ensuring no adolescent navigates mental health challenges in isolation.

Deconstruction and Remodelling: A Grounded Theory Exploration of the Family Resilience of Disabled Elderly People in China.

This study aims to understand the family experiences of disabled elderly people facing adversity from the perspective of family resilience and to develop a theoretical model to explain the constitution of family resilience. Family resilience is the ability of families to cope with, adapt to, and recover from significant stressors and challenges. Although some studies have focused on disabled elderly people, the components of their family resilience have received little attention. A grounded theory. A total of 30 participants were selected by theoretical sampling, and all participants were from families with disabled elderly people in Chengdu, China. Data were obtained via semi-structured interviews. The COREQ checklist for qualitative research was followed. A theoretical model of family resilience for disabled elderly people was established based on three categories: family organisation, family beliefs, and family relationships. Family organisations include the organisation model and resources; family beliefs include coping styles and adversity remodelling; and family relationships include communication and atmosphere. These categories suggest that there are several similar components of family resilience for disabled elderly people, which can be used to understand how families cope with this challenging experience by adjusting their roles, resources, and perspectives. Our findings are believed to offer significant theoretical and practical implications for improving the resilience and well-being of families with disabled elderly members, improving the effectiveness of caregiving services, and guiding strategies for disabled elderly individuals, their families, caregivers, and researchers. Healthcare professionals must recognise that disability impacts not only the individual but also the entire family system. The process of disability is slowed by early intervention, and psychological counselling services are provided to relieve stress and anxiety. Training in practical skills can be provided to build social support networks to help them cope with challenges.

Areas of conflict in the caring of critically chronic ill children: an interpretative phenomenological study

Areas of conflict in the caring of critically chronic ill children: an interpretative phenomenological study Abstract: Background: Critically chronic ill children are a growing population due to the medical improvement in pediatric intensive care units (PICU). PICU nurses find themselves navigating the complexities between acute and palliative care for these patients, facing various challenges. Aim: This study explored the nurse's experiences in caring for children with critically chronic illnesses in the PICU. Methods: Twelve PICU nurses participated in semi-structured interviews. This qualitative study followed an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: Five experiential themes were identified that nurses address in their daily care. These are: supporting developmental care, partnership in interprofessional shared-decision-making, in-depth acknowledgment of the family system, the individual nursing experience, personal leadership and the organizational structure of the working environment in PICU settings. Conclusion: When PICU nurses experience the ability to provide individualized and optimal care to a child with a critically chronic illness, based on family-centered care and within interprofessional decision-making, they develop personal leadership skills which enable the balance within the challenges and complexities of nursing care in this population.

Experiencing Loneliness in Motherhood

Introduction: Motherhood is a lifelong learning process. Becoming a mother involves huge changes and a major shift in identity. We usually don’t pair loneliness with motherhood, but researchers have found that motherhood could be filled with lonely feelings. A study by the British Red Cross found that more than 83% of mothers under 30 years old feel lonely at some time. Even before COVID, one study found that more than 90 percent of moms reported feeling lonely after having kids, over one-third said they cried regularly, and more than half suffered from anxiety. This study aims to determine the problems with loneliness in motherhood and how they influence the whole family’s long-term growth and wellness. Methods: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched using the following keyword: (loneliness) AND (motherhood) AND (mental health) AND (maternal) using the journal publication filter for the 2018-2023 issue. Review: Loneliness isn’t only a concern for mothers but also for all family members. Mothers who experience a high degree of loneliness are likely to be depressed, which in turn leads to decreased self-esteem and poor health, and consequently the poor health of their children. Stronger involvement of the mother’s family, friends, and other support systems should be promoted. Conclusions: Researchers should pay attention to the facts that building close connections with others can stop social isolation in mothers from taking a toll on their mental health Keywords: Loneliness, Motherhood, Mental Health, Maternal

What do parents, professionals and policy colleagues want from a universal assessment of child development in the early years? A qualitative study in England

ObjectiveEvery child in England should be offered a health and development review at age 2–2½ years by the health visiting service, part of which includes an assessment of child development....

A systematic review of multi-level intervention to enhance the quality of life patient with human immunodeficiency virus

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are still challenges worldwide. Improvement in quality of life (QoL) is crucial for HIV-infected people. The QoL of HIV-infected patients has been improved by the use of multilevel interventions in various circumstances. This study evaluates the evidence for interventions that target the quality of life of persons with HIV. A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Science Direct, the Cochrane Library database, and Pubmed were also searched. Three independent reviewers extracted the data. Searches were conducted for articles published from 2013 to 2023. Searching procedures and data abstraction techniques were standardized. The 27 research examined the effects of interventions on HIVinfected people's quality of life. China is the most frequently mentioned country in the 27 studies, appearing as the setting in 8 (29.6%). Following South Africa (14.8%), New York (11.11%) and Kenya (7.4%) were the next most often mentioned countries. For analysis purposes, the interventions used in the 27 reviewed studies were classified into three main categories: individual intervention, family-community intervention, and health service intervention. Significant intervention innovations in quality-of-life research combining several interventions, including individual, family, community, and health system intervention, show the most promising results

The effects of parental marital quality on preschool children's social-emotional competence: The chain mediating model of parent-child and sibling relationships.

With the swift advancements in China's education system and society, preschool children's social-emotional competence is becoming increasingly important for adapting to complicated situations. While research shows parental marital quality as a key factor, studies on its specific mechanisms within the Chinese context are limited. Grounded in the framework of family systems theory and incorporating perspectives from the spillover hypothesis, emotional security theory, and attachment theory, this research explores how parental marital quality influences preschool children's social-emotional competence, emphasizing the mediating roles of parent-child and sibling relationships in China. This study examined 227 preschool children (124 boys and 103 girls) from two-child families in six kindergartens across China as research participants. Mother reports on the quality of marital, sibling, and parent-child relationships were collected cross-sectionally to assess the direct and indirect effects on children's social-emotional competence using path models. Results show that parental marital quality positively influences preschool children's social-emotional competence. Additionally, parent-child and sibling relationships not only serve as independent mediators but also create a chain mediating effect. This finding emphasizes the importance of parental marital quality in shaping preschool children's social-emotional competence. It underscores the necessity of nurturing healthy parent-child and sibling interactions via family education.

Effects of Parent Involvement in Homework on Students’ Negative Emotions in Chinese Students: Moderating Role of Parent–Child Communication and Mediating Role of Family Responsibility

Chinese parents’ involvement in children’s homework has become a hot topic, which not only affects students’ learning but also leads to mental health problems. This study aimed to examine how parent involvement in homework affects students’ negative emotions, focusing on the mediating role of family responsibility and the moderating role of parent–child communication in it. The study uses data from the CFPS 2020 database by Peking University, with a sample size of 6906, resulting in 494 valid observations after data cleaning. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and SPSS Macro PROCESS, which examined the correlation coefficients, mediation effects, and moderated mediation among the variables. The results found that parent involvement in homework had a significant effect on students’ negative emotions. Family responsibility played a partial mediating role between parent involvement in homework and students’ negative emotions. Parent–child communication played a significant moderating role in the relationship between parent involvement in homework and family responsibility on students’ negative emotions. The results are consistent with the Family Systems Theory, and help to reduce the negative emotions of students and promote the physical and mental health of children.

The Caregiver-Child Relationship Checkup Program for Infants 4–12 Months of Age: Application for Family Centers

The current government support for families with infants centers around financial aid and physical health checkups. This study aims to extend these narrow approaches by developing a new type of checkup that focuses on the relationship between caregivers and infants, as well as the entire family system. Based on various theoretical perspectives, including family systems theory, attachment theory, and cognitive-behavioral theory, the online caregiver-child relationship checkup, which consists of assessment and feedback sessions, was conducted using multiple methods (self-report questionnaires, observations of parent-child play interactions, and clinical interviews). Four families with infants aged 4 to 12 months participated in this study. A single-case research design, specifically a multiple baselines design, was employed. The results from 7 to 9 assessment points over 4 months showed that the relationship checkup improved multiple outcome indices, including the understanding of parental strengths and weaknesses, knowledge of relationship improvement, co-parenting relationships, parental stress, and parent-child relationships. Additionally, participants reported a high level of satisfaction with the program and a strong intention to recommend it. Qualitative interviews indicated that they received reliable guidance from their family consultant amidst the abundant information provided by pseudo-experts on social networking sites (SNS). Coaching while reviewing videos of parent-child interactions was also considered effective in terms of improving their parental competence. Implications for practice and policy were also discussed.

Racial Discrimination and Trauma Symptoms Among Black Adolescent-Caregiver Dyads

ABSTRACT Objective Research to date has produced compelling evidence of the potentially traumatic consequences of racial discrimination among Black adolescents and adults. Seldom explored, however, is how the potentially traumatic effects of racial discrimination may be shared across the family context. To clarify the relevance of racial trauma across the family system, the current study examined the relationship between racial discrimination and trauma symptoms among a sample of Black adolescent-caregiver dyads. Method Data were drawn from a larger self-report survey study examining Black family life experiences. For this study, data from 202 Black adolescents (Mage = 14.50, 52% female) and their caregiver (Mage = 41.63, 83% female) were used to test actor-partner interdependence models examining the associations of racial discrimination and trauma symptoms. Results Significant actor effects revealed that racial discrimination was positively associated with self-reported trauma symptoms among adolescents and caregivers. Additionally, partner effects were found, such that adolescent and caregiver experiences of discrimination were positively associated with the trauma symptoms of their family member. Analyses also revealed that the association between racial discrimination and trauma symptoms among caregivers was dependent upon youth experiences of racial discrimination. Conclusion The current study lends credence to theories linking racism and trauma-related symptomatology across the life course and family system. Collectively, study findings highlight the importance of understanding the effects of racism beyond the individual and underscores the value and need for family tailored interventions that can repudiate the shared impact and potential intergenerational effects of racial discrimination across Black families.

Investigating the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Marital Commitment and Quality of Life in Women Following Satellite Series

Introduction: Given the negative effects of satellite series on marital commitment, and the quality of life of women, and the destabilization of family systems, the present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy on marital commitment and quality of life in women who follow satellite series in Tehran Methods: This study was designed as a quasi-experimental intervention with a pre-test and post-test approach. The statistical population consisted of women who were viewers of satellite series and members of an active institute in marriage and psychological services for couples in East Tehran. Using convenience sampling method, the first individual was selected randomly, and then through snowball sampling, 120 individuals were introduced. After screening and selecting eligible individuals, the sample size was reduced to 30, and the participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups (15 in each group). The women in the experimental group participated in virtual cognitive-behavioral therapy sessions. Data collection tools included two standardized questionnaires: the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Adams and Jones Marital Commitment Questionnaire which were distributed and completed in both groups before and after the intervention. For data analysis, descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, Shapiro-Wilk test, skewness, and kurtosis were used, and for inferential statistics to examine the significance of the intervention's effectiveness, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was employed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results: The results indicated a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in both pre-test and post-test (p<0/05). The scores of the experimental group after the intervention showed a significant increase in the post-test analysis of covariance for the variables of physical health, psychological health, social relationships, social environment, overall quality of life, personal commitment, moral commitment, structural commitment, and overall marital commitment, compared to the pre-test (p<0/05). At the same time, the control group did not show a significant difference (p>0/05). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that cognitive-behavioral therapy has a positive impact on quality of life and marital commitment. This type of therapy can be utilized as an effective strategy to improve marital commitment and quality of life for women who watch satellite series.

Challenges and Supports for Families of Youth with Behavioral Health Needs.

As mental health needs increase for youth across the United States, little is known about how these youth engage with emergency psychiatric services (EPS) and how accessing of these services is experienced by the family caregivers. This study utilized interviews with 19 youth and their adult caregivers, detailing their experiences with EPS and community needs. Interviews were conducted in-person and over the phone, lasting approximately 45min. Qualitative data were analyzed following grounded theory to elicit a potential new theoretical view of youth and family experiences and needs associated with EPS. Themes elicited included: (1) family and school challenges, (2) challenges for caregivers, (3) structural and system challenges exacerbate issues, (4) family and friend supports, (5) community supports. Families in this study struggled with numerous family, school, and community barriers, indicating a need for targeted supports that address the family and community systems.

Determinant factors and coping strategies for depression among pregnant women: an intervention-based qualitative study in Lahore, Pakistan

BackgroundThe present study is an intervention-based qualitative study that explores the factors causing depression among antenatal women and analyses coping strategies based on the modified version of the Thinking Healthy Programme (THP) intervention in the urban setting of Lahore, Pakistan.MethodsAn exploratory qualitative evaluation approach was used in the present study. The study comprises four phases, i.e., the screening phase, exploratory phase, intervention phase, and evaluation phase. During the first phase, pregnant women aged 18–45 years were screened for anxiety and depression by using the Urdu-translated Patient Health Care Questionnaire-9. In the second phase, identified women were interviewed to explore the factors responsible for depression. In the third phase, the intervention was administered via the THP intervention. In the last phase, the same women were reinterviewed to analyse the outcomes of the intervention. Thematic analysis was performed for the analysis of the interviews.ResultsData was analyzed using thematic analysis following an deductive and indictive approach in both pre- and post-intervention phase. Three main themes emerged in the pre-intervention phase: (1) the impact of adverse life events on the mental health of pregnant women, (2) the adverse effects of marital relationship issues on pregnant women, and (3) depression-causing factors due to the joint family system. Furthermore, four themes emerged in the post-intervention stage: (1) development of positivity in thinking and attitude, (2) learning about stress management through the provision of compassion and sharing avenues, (3) gaining self-esteem to address matters positively, and (4) improving relationships with the unborn child and family. Numerous pregnant women praised the THP project and recommended that hospitals adopt it to assist pregnant patients in the Pakistani health system.ConclusionThe study concludes that THP can be a valuable tool for helping many pregnant women who are experiencing prenatal depression recover, however, there is a further need for exploring its benefits in varying social and cultural contexts.Trial registrationThe study has been registered at https://clinicaltrials.gov/ (NCT04663243).

FAMILY EDUCATION STYLES AND THEIR INFLUENCE ON THE FORMATION OF A CHILD’S PERSONALITY

The relevance of the study is due to the fact that it is now becoming important to consider the availability of the necessary factors for the successful development of the child. These include the psycho-emotional characteristics of the student, which are inextricably linked with the family system. The period of childhood is, on the one hand, the period of formation of individual abilities, and on the other, the time when the child is not emotionally separated from his family. The family system has the maximum impact on the psycho-emotional state, as well as on the disclosure of creative abilities. According with the opinion of L.S. Vygotsky that primary school age is a special period in a person’s life, we investigated children of this particular age group. Purpose of the study is to investigate the infl uence of parenting style on child development, as well as the relationship between parenting styles in families and the level of creativity in primary school children. The study sample included primary school students aged  to  years and their parents. Research methods included the technique for identifying the styles of family education by S. Stepanov, techniques for identifying the educational position (measures of care) of parents to a child by I.M. Markovskaya, Kettell’s multifactorial personality questionnaire for children from  to  years old (boys, girls), methods for identifying creative thinking - Torrens’ diagnosis of creativity. Study results. Relationships between parenting styles in families and the level of creativity in primary school children, as well as features of parenting styles, were identifi ed and described. A meaningful analysis of theoretical and empirical material was carried out, during which ideas about the relationship between the styles of upbringing in families and the level of creativity in primary school children were expanded. During primary school age, the upbringing style is an important factor that determines the psycho-emotional state of the child and the disclosure of the potential of creative abilities, as well as the development of such signs of giftedness as social courage and verbal intelligence. The results obtained can be used in the practice of family and child counseling, in the curriculum of training courses on family psychology and child-parent relations, school education programmes, etc.

The Role of Comparative Criminal Law Systems and the Characteristics of the Legal Family in Indonesia after the Enactment of the New Criminal Code

This research discusses the comparison of the criminal law system and the characteristics of the legal family in Indonesia after the enactment of the new kuhp. This research uses a normative juridical approach method, namely by examining / analyzing secondary data in the form of legal materials, especially primary legal materials and secondary legal materials. The specification in this research is analytical descriptive research. In studying comparative law there are two benefits, namely Theoretical Benefits Can support the development of legal science in general and criminal law in particular, covering two things, namely, closely related to research in the field of legal philosophy and legal history; closely related to the understanding and development of national law. And Practical benefits Provide positive input for the development and formation of law in general and criminal law in particular. The results of the research show that the criminal law system in Indonesia until now (before the enactment of the New Criminal Code) belongs to the Romano-Germanic Family of law. This can be seen from the identical characteristics between the characteristics possessed by the criminal law system in Indonesia and the characteristics of the Romano-Germanic Legal Family. After the enactment of the New Criminal Code, there is a shift in the legal family, which was originally the Romano-Germanic legal family or civil law has shifted/changed to a mixed legal family or legal mix system or civil law and religious law.