Family Transitions Research Articles

Homecoming as a Gendered Practice in Danish Military Families

This article explores the complicated process of post-deployment homecoming in military families in Denmark. Based on qualitative interviews with spouses and children of formerly deployed soldiers, the article analyses some of the main challenges related to homecoming and military-to-family transitions in military families. It illuminates how deployment affects family practices and social relations by especially focusing on gender equality, fatherhood, and masculinity. Based on interviews with spouses and children, the article outlines three masculinity positions available to Danish homecoming veterans: gender equality masculinities, militarized masculinities, and troubled masculinities.

Work and Family Pathways and Their Associations with Health for Young Women in Korea.

The aim of this study is two-fold: to discern patterns in pathways of work and family transitions among young women (aged 24-39 years) whose decisions and behaviors toward labor force participation, marriage, and parenthood are considerably shaped by social constraints and gender norms; and to examine whether and to what extent work and family pathways are associated with later health. Using data from a longitudinal survey based on a large sample of adult women in Korea (N = 2418), we identified eight dominant pathways of employment, marriage, and parenthood among young women and found that educational attainment and family values are strong predictors of these work-family pathways. We also found that the timing and sequencing of work-family pathways appears to be associated with later health outcomes. In particular, unemployed women who are not married and do not have children seem to be vulnerable to health problems, compared to those with other pathways. We discuss the implications of our findings regarding the occurrence of work and/or family transitions, as well as their timing and sequencing for women's health in later life.

Families transition, too! Military families transition out of service: a scoping review of research from the Five Eyes nations

ABSTRACT There is minimal research about the military-to-civilian transition (MCT) from the perspective of the family. The goal of this scoping review was to identify what is known about military families across the Five Eyes Nations (FVEY) (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States) during this phase as well as identify gaps in the evidence base. Scoping review methods were employed with a narrative review process to conceptualize and organize results. The initial search returned 2,219 sources. From these, 27 sources about military family experiences during MCT were identified. Overall, there was limited research on this topic with the majority of sources being from gray literature. A contributing factor to this lack of literature could be the conflation of the MCT with other military transitions (i.e. deployments). Sources highlighted four major themes that influenced identified needs and current services for military families during MCT: (1) mental health; (2) barriers to care; (3) financial needs; and (4) targeted transition support. The limited literature documents promising family skills-based interventions during MCT. However, there is a need for more empirical research on existing family-based interventions and experiences and needs of the family as a unit during MCT.

Impact of International Family Transitions: A Systematic Literature Review of International Research

A systematic literature review of international empirical research was conducted to understand the impact of international family transitions on families’ experiences, wellbeing and facilitating/inhibiting factors of successful international transitions. The review covered the period 2000–2021. Using the EPPI-Centre approach, authors included 26 studies in the review that met the inclusion criteria. Synthesis of the findings suggested that, children and parents experienced international transitions differently. While children were primarily concerned with social issues, parents worried about managing family and work commitments. The findings relating to wellbeing outcomes were mixed, and we cannot say with confidence whether family wellbeing was impacted by international transitions. There was a dearth of literature examining what constitutes a successful international transition experience. The review demonstrated the challenge of viewing international transitions in a linear manner and suggests international transitions should be conceptualised as complex, multi-dimensional, dynamic and ongoing in nature. This review is the first to bring together children and parents’ experiences, wellbeing outcomes and facilitating/inhibiting factors using the Multiple and Multi-dimensional Transitions (MMT) theory. As a result, it provides some unique insights and makes an original contribution.

Gendered work-family life courses and late-life physical functioning: A comparative analysis from 28 European countries.

Combining work and family roles can have beneficial consequences on health but could also result in chronic stress and adverse health outcomes at older ages. This study aimed to examine combined employment, parenthood, and partnership histories of men and women during the childbearing period (ages 15-49), and to investigate the links of these work and family roles with physical functioning later in life. We used data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) with retrospective information on employment, parenthood, and partnership histories for 18,057 men and 20,072 women (n = 38,129) living in 28 different countries belonging to six European welfare clusters. We applied multichannel sequence analysis (MCSQA) and hierarchical clustering to group work-family trajectories into 12 clusters for men and 15 clusters for women. We assessed the association between work-family life courses and grip strength by estimating multivariable linear regression models. Delayed work and family transitions, unstable employment, and the absence of combinations of work and family roles between age 15 and 49 were associated with weaker grip strength in later life for both men and women. Results differed by gender and were framed by the welfare context in which gendered work and family responsibilities unfold across individual life courses. The findings make an important contribution to the domain of gender and health in later life and stress the need to engage more with issues related to the mechanisms linking work and family trajectories to poor health in later life.

Work and Family Transitions Throughout Adulthood and the Impact on Health: A Systematic Review

Work and Family Transitions Throughout Adulthood and the Impact on Health: A Systematic Review

Young People’s Support Needs During the Military–Civilian Transition: “I Would Have Been a Very Different Person if There was More Support Available”

ABSTRACT When families transition out of the Australian Defence Force, they can experience a range of challenges that pose risks to their mental health and wellbeing. These may be further complicated by a lack of access to services and low uptake of existing support. While some research has investigated the experiences of previously serving men and women, the support needs of their children have received little empirical attention. This article reports on a qualitative study that explored the experiences of young people who are now adults, when their parents left the Australian Defence Force. Themes developed included gaps in defence and civilian support, inadequate school support, military stigma and receptiveness to support, and ideas for improving strategies and support. Findings were analysed using a thematic approach, and then a socioecological lens was applied, highlighting the multilevel support needs as well as the significant service gaps experienced by young people during the military–civilian transition. IMPLICATIONS Understanding young people’s experiences when their parents leave the Australian Defence Force can help social workers and other disciplines appropriately address their support needs through research and practice. Engagement and service provision efforts should consider the multilevel systems that protect young people from experiencing critical or long-term impacts. They should recognise the role of young people’s agency, acknowledging that experiences during the military–civilian transition are not homogenous.

Large Families in a Risk Society: from Normativity to Deviance

The article examines the phenomenon of large families from the perspective of modernity, namely the transition of large families from the position of establishing social order, from the position of normativity to the position of deviation and the gradual reduction of this type of family. The theoretical basis of the work is the theory of social systems by Niklas Luhmann, which is used to analyze the large family as an element of the "family" system, as a process of communication "before" and "after", as an independent system. It is emphasized that a large family can be considered as a self-referential, autopoietic system. It is noted that communication is an operation of the social system. In view of the latter, the empirical part of the article analyzes the results of the sociological study "Modern Kharkiv Family in the Dimension of Sociology" conducted in May-July 2020 by the staff of the Faculty of Sociology of V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. Particular attention is paid to the processes of internal and external communication of representatives of large families. Based on the analysis of empirical information, it is proved that in a modern risk society, such as Ukrainian society, large families are an element of social risk. The author concludes that there is a possibility of a decrease in the number of large families, which will undoubtedly affect the deterioration of the already difficult demographic situation in modern Ukrainian society. The author identifies areas for further research and publications on the selected issues.

634-P: Transition Readiness Variables Predict Transfer to Adult Care among Youth with Type 1 Diabetes

The transfer from pediatric to adult care for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with T1D is a challenging process during which AYAs are vulnerable to worsening metabolic outcomes, missed clinic visits, and increased ED and hospital admissions. This study investigated which modifiable individual and family-specific transition readiness variables may lead to improved transfer of care outcomes. Two-hundred fifty-four individuals with T1D ages 16 to 25 years (Mage=20.9+2.7) completed an online survey. Multiple regression in SPSS assessed relations between (a) individual (diabetes-specific resilience, diabetes distress, self-care behaviors, problem solving) and (b) family (diabetes-related conflict, communication, miscarried helping, support) transition readiness variables and transfer of care outcomes. Variables were entered simultaneously, above and beyond covariates, and significant predictors were indicated by p < .05. With respect to individual factors, greater problem solving was associated with seeing an adult (versus pediatric) provider, less hospital admissions, less severe low blood sugars, and more clinic visits one-year post-transfer. Resilience was associated with increased readiness to transfer. Self-care behaviors were associated with fewer severe low blood sugars. Diabetes distress was associated with lower likelihood of seeing an adult provider and more ED and clinic visits. With respect to family factors, higher conflict was associated with a higher rate of ED visits, fewer clinic visits, and fewer episodes of severe low blood sugars post-transfer. Miscarried helping was associated with a greater likelihood of seeing an adult provider. Modifiable individual and family-specific transition readiness variables are uniquely associated with key transfer of care outcomes. Interventions that reduce family conflict and diabetes distress, and improve diabetes resilience and problem solving, are likely to improve these outcomes. Disclosure J.Shapiro: None. J.Weissberg-benchell: None. Funding Dixon Family Foundation

A Review of Intersection of Social Determinants and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Abstract Pakistan faces the accelerated growth of a young population each year. The country's many structural challenges include an unstable economy, poverty, gender inequality, health disparities, and vulnerable systems (especially sectors serving education and justice). The advent of the 21st century has witnessed rapid societal change globally. This societal evolution has inevitably shaped the sociocultural landscape for Pakistan's children, families, and childrearing practices as well, yet the social determinants remain stacked against them. Although children make up one-third of the Pakistan population, they remain the most physically, economically, and socially vulnerable group. For children growing up in low-income families, which are the majority, these challenges are magnified to a greater degree. These children are more likely to experience multiple family transitions, frequent moves, and change of schools. The schools they attend are poorly funded, and their neighborhoods more disadvantaged. The parents of these children have fewer resources to invest in them. Thus, the home environment becomes less cognitively stimulating, and parents invest less in education. Living in poverty and struggling to meet daily needs can also impair parenting. Socioeconomic deprivation during childhood and adolescence can have a lasting effect, making it difficult for children to escape the cycle of poverty as adults because the adverse effects of deprivation on human development accumulate. Health services for children are also underresourced. This state is evident by the extreme shortage of child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) services in a country with a significantly high disease burden among children and adolescents experiencing mental health disorders. The article examines the social determinants of CAMH in Pakistan and their implications for the orientation and effectiveness of child mental health services.

Later-life transitions and changes in prescription medication use for pain and depression

BackgroundOver the past two decades, prescription medication use for pain and depression increased dramatically. Most studies consider the early life course, despite a similar increase among those in later life. In this paper, we examine whether and how later life transitions may relate to changes in medication use.MethodsWe draw on data from the Health and Retirement Study and fixed-effects models to examine whether work, family, and civic transitions in later life are related to changes in the usage of prescription pain and depression medication.ResultsResults show that individuals had higher odds of regularly using prescription pain and depression medications in periods when out of the labor market. Higher odds of depression medication use were also associated with periods of widowhood, and lower odds of use when frequently volunteering. Such relations persist adjusting for reported levels of pain and depression.ConclusionOur findings call attention to the importance of social ties and the presence of actors that may regulate health behaviors, as well as a change in social context, that may shape medication use in later life.

Military couples' experiences in the aftermath of a cancelled deployment.

Deployment requires considerable preparation for military families and changes to these plans may create notable stress. The current study leveraged data from a sample of military couples who experienced the cancellation of an overseas deployment to learn more about their experiences as they adjusted to this change. Guided by family stress and anticipatory stress perspectives, we analyzed qualitative data from 28service members and their significant others (i.e., spouses or cohabitating partners) to understand their overall reactions to the deployment cancellation. We identified three overall reactions (positive, negative, and ambivalent) that were based on participants' appraisals of-and preparations for-deployment, as well as ambiguity about family roles and relationships. Further, participants across groups experienced uncertainty about whether or not the deployment would occur, and altered timelines for other life events. Together, our findings highlight the post-cancellation period as a significant time of stress and transition for military families. However, our findings also signify the need to help all military families cope with uncertainty about when or if deployments will occur given that the military's priorities are often in flux. We therefore describe coping efforts that may be particularly adaptive for families to engage in as they prepare for uncertain, anticipated stressors.

The Role of Social Work in Residential Aged Care Facilities: Evaluation of a Pilot Program in Australia

In some international settings, social workers are employed within aged care settings. However, in Australia, social workers rarely work in residential aged care facilities. In an innovative program, an Australian health network employed a social worker in an aged residential care facility from 2010 to 2011. In this research we examine and evaluate this program. Qualitative semi-structured interviews with nine key stakeholders and data extraction from medical records were conducted. Data from medical records and interview transcripts were coded and themes extracted using thematic analysis. Thematic analysis identified five key themes reflecting the roles performed by the social worker. These were: (1) The importance of having an independent third party, (2) The provision of emotional support to residents, carers and families during the transition period, (3) The importance of role clarity, (4) The provision of family-centered care, and (5) Social work responses to potential difficulties which were preventative rather than reactive. The move into residential aged care can be an overwhelming, and in some cases, traumatic transition for residents and families. Results identified that timely and expert social work intervention can improve the transition process through the provision of counselling to effectively manage grief, loss, and psychosocial issues.

Creating cultural resources and reading: A case study of a public library and invisible parental pedagogy in Tokyo

Cultural resources are key themes when considering educational inequalities and disparities in the social structure. Inspired by Bernstein's invisible pedagogy, this study proposes a model of family transition and knowledge accessibility in child-rearing in Japan. We focus on the reading activities in a community library, conduct a case study of parental consciousness in family education in Tokyo, and examine the possibility of creating cultural resources by improving the reading environment at the local level.

Performing the Bad Marriage? The Transition from a Troubled to a Troubling Family in the Course of Fault Divorce in the 21st Century

Austrian family law stands out in Europe because, in Austria, fault-based divorce is still legally valid. In these divorces, the suing partner attempts to prove in court that the other partner is at fault for the breakdown of the marriage. Thus, proving in court that a relationship is deficient in order to obtain a divorce is a common family transition practice in Austria. In this contribution, I seek to identify the practices that are associated with fault divorce proceedings and look at how these practices are related to normative and legal ideas of marriage. Based on a qualitative multiple case study, I analysed 17 fault divorce lawsuits filed by heterosexual couples in the 2014–2016 period. To do so, I used situational analysis, trans-sequential analysis, and an analytical framework that was developed within the research project. The spouses’ involvement in the proceedings relied on two main approaches: First, the divorce was justified by an event that was disruptive enough to ‘keep things short’. These narratives were related to the divorce grounds explicitly mentioned in family law. Second, the divorce was justified through narratives of a ‘normal’ marriage that became a ‘bad’ marriage over time. These narratives relied upon characterisations of the other spouse as deficient. These deficiencies were related to normative expectations associated with particular life stages and gendered life course trajectories and mirrored the nuclear family ideal.

Stress, development and mental health study, the follow-up study of Finnish TAM cohort from adolescence to midlife: cohort profile

PurposeThis cohort profile describes the Stress, development and mental health study (TAM), which is a cohort study investigating risk and protective factors as well as longitudinal associations regarding mental health...

Intergenerational Transfer of Family-Run Enterprises in Slovenia in Comparison with German Law

After the Republic of Slovenia declared its independence in 1991 and adopted a new constitution, business in the country began to increasingly develop. Now, 30 years since declaring independence and the start of business development, we are witnessing the retirement of the first generation of business owners, and it is reasonable to expect the rise of such examples in the following years. With the change in generation and retirement of the first generation of business owners, the question arises as to how to legally regulate the transition of family companies to younger generations, with the objective of keeping the company within the family circle and avoiding fragmentation of the company because of a higher number of potential heirs. This article presents information on the transfer of a family company to the next generation with sole traders, personal companies, and companies with share capital in comparison to German law.

Gifted boys’ perceptions of their academic underachievement

We examined how six gifted boys perceived the onset and development of their academic underachievement and what they identified as contributing aspects. Across the six boys’ experiences, a similar pattern of onset and development of academic underachievement emerged. The boys discussed a lack of academic challenge, investment in hobbies, issues with time management and self-regulation, family transitions, and peer relations as contributing to their academic underachievement. These aspects influenced the boys’ value beliefs (e.g., not caring about grades) or maladaptive beliefs about themselves (e.g., lower self-worth), which contributed to disengagement and underachievement according to students.

A Comprehensive Strategy to Pain Management for Cancer Patients in an Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility.

Cancer pain has been shown to have a significant negative impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for people experiencing it. This is also true for patients admitted to inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs). An interdisciplinary approach is often needed to fully address a person's pain to help them attain maximum functional independence and to ensure a safe discharge home. Improving a patient's performance status in an IRF may also be a crucial determinant in their ability to continue receiving treatment for their cancer. However, if a person is determined to no longer be a candidate for aggressive, disease modulating treatment, IRFs can also be utilized to help patients and family's transition to comfort directed care with palliative or hospice services. This article will discuss the interventions of the multidisciplinary inpatient rehabilitation team to address a person's pain.

So happy together … Examining the association between relationship happiness, socio-economic status, and family transitions in the UK

The increases in cohabitation and in childbearing within cohabitation raise questions about who marries. Most studies have found that childbearing within cohabitation is associated with disadvantage; here, we examine the role of relationship happiness and whether it helps to explain this association. Using the UK Household Longitudinal Study (2009–17), our competing risk hazard models follow respondents as they transition: (1) from cohabitation into marriage or childbearing; and (2) from marriage or cohabitation into childbearing. We find that marriage risks are highest among individuals who are happiest with their relationship. On average, the association between relationship quality and childbearing operates through marriage: the happiest individuals marry, and those who marry have children. While higher socio-economic status is weakly associated with marriage, conception, and separation, the associations do not differ by relationship happiness. The findings indicate that overall, relationship happiness appears to be most salient for transitions into marriage.