Unmarried Families Research Articles

7874 Management Of “Hyperandrogenism” Confounded By Dermatology Biotin Prescriptions

Abstract Disclosure: S.S. Sundar: None. S. Shankar: None. M.S. Vaishnav: None. L. Lekkala: None. S. Sathyanarayana: None. C. Siddlingappa: None. K. M: None. T.-. Kamala: None. R.B. V: None. V. Nath: None. M.D. Chitra: None. P. Ravikumar: None. Introduction: Immunoassay interferences include: Cross-reactions, heterophile antibodies, biotin and anti-analyte antibodies, with positive or negative bias, leading to difficulties in clinical decision-making (confounding diagnosis, unnecessary investigations or inappropriate treatments). The interfering substance may be exogenous (e.g., drug or substance absorbed by patient) or endogenous (e.g., antibodies produced by patient). Clinical Case 2023 Dec 1 Dermatology management for hyperandrogenism 28-year-old female evaluated for acne 3 years (increased 4 months), hair fall 6 months and hirsutism 3 years (threading) Total Testosterone 443 ng/dL (10-55) CLIA Free Testosterone 8.9 pg/mL (0.1-6.4) ELISA DHEAS 209 µg/dL (35-430) CLIA S Cortisol 8 am 6.9 µg/dL (2.6-10.5) CLIA LH 4.2 mIU/mL (1.9-12.5); FSH 5.3 mIU/mL (3.0-8.0) T3 133 ng/dL (80-200); T4 8.5 ug/dL (4.8-12.7), TSH 3.78 µIU/mL (0.5-5.3) HbA1c 5.0%; Glucose fasting 81 mg/dL; Insulin fasting 39.4 mU/L (3-25); HOMA-IR 5.2; HOMA%B 380; HOMA%S 19.2; T3 133 ng/dL (80-200) 2023 Dec 14 Endocrinology for “scaringly” very high testosterone levels Menstrual history: Menarche 11 years; Cycles regular. Unmarried Family history: Diabetes++; Hirsutism+; Infertility- Physical exam: Height 159 cm; Weight 55 kg; BMI 21.8 kg/m2; Ferriman Gallwey score 11; Pulse 75; BP 79/62; Thyroid: Grade 0. In view of total testosterone levels in “neoplastic androgen excess” range, further endocrinology evaluations (multiple labs and assays) were carried out. However, discordance between the mild clinical versus severe biochemical hyperandrogenism was noted. Review of the dermatology prescription indicated that patient had consumed only one 10 mg tablet of biotin 36 hours before the earlier blood draw obtained by dermatologist. Total Testosterone 22.3 and 33.8 ng/dL (6-82) ECLIA; 19.7 (15-70) LCMS Free Testosterone 0.69 pg/mL (< 2.85) (ELISA) DHEAS 101 µg/dL (45-380) LCMS Androstenedione 104 ng/dL (75-205) LCMS 17OH Progesterone 0.89 ng/mL (0.16-2.05) EIA; 0.40 (0.35-2.9) LCMS S Cortisol 5.92 ug/dl (6-18) ECLIA; 5.45 (5-23) LCMS FSH 2.74; LH 6.07; Prolactin 20.1 ng/mL (4.7-23.3) T3 114 ng/dL; T4 7.2 µg/dL; TSH 1.29 Diagnosis Falsely elevated total testosterone (and free testosterone) levels due to biotin immunoassay interference. Clinical Lessons: Very limited studies exist confirming the exact clinical indications for biotin (eg: improvement of hair quality or quantity, or nail growth). FDA warning highlights biotin’s interference (false elevations or reductions) with immunoassays relying on biotin-streptavidin technology. Physicians must ask patients about supplement usage, and discontinue biotin for 8 hours for patients taking 10 mg/day, 3 days for 100-300 mg/day, 7 days for children taking 2 and 15 mg/kg/daily, and inform laboratory if diagnostic test was performed while taking biotin. Presentation: 6/2/2024

Trajectories of maternal parenting stress and adolescent behavioral symptoms in unmarried families: The role of family immigration status

BackgroundMaternal parenting stress during childhood may have important influences on offspring internalizing and externalizing behaviors during adolescence in unmarried households, but it is unclear whether effects differ across different trajectory patterns of maternal parenting stress and for native-born vs. immigrant families. MethodsUsing data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study, we identified trajectory patterns of maternal parenting stress from ages 1–9 years using semi-parametric group-based trajectory modeling. We used negative binomial regression models to estimate associations between maternal parenting stress trajectories and adolescent behavioral symptoms at age fifteen. ResultsFive maternal parenting stress trajectory groups were identified among the 1982 unmarried families included in this study, representing consistently low (9.2 %), consistently mild (54.2 %), moderate and decreasing (14.4 %), moderate and increasing (16.0 %) and consistently high (6.2 %) levels of maternal parenting stress. For adolescent internalizing symptoms, all maternal parenting stress trajectory groups exhibited higher symptoms compared to the consistently low group: IRR for consistently mild: 1.21 (95 % CI: 0.98–1.56); IRR for moderate/decreasing: 1.34 (95 % CI: 1.04–1.74); IRR for moderate/increasing: 1.62 (95 % CI: 1.28–2.13); and IRR for consistently high: 1.74 (95 % CI = 1.29–2.41). Similar results were observed for adolescent externalizing symptoms. Stronger effects of maternal parenting stress trajectories on adolescent externalizing symptoms were observed among native-born vs. immigrant families. LimitationsDifferential attrition and same-source bias may lead to under- or over-estimation of the associations of interest. ConclusionsInterventions targeting unmarried families with elevated maternal parenting stress during childhood may reduce behavioral symptoms in adolescence.

The Co-Parenting Across Family Structures Scale: Replication for Mandarin parents.

Co-parenting, the undertaking of parents working together to raise their children, is well documented as an important consideration of children's adjustment in Western countries, but we know less about the role of co-parenting in other cultures. In China, for example, co-parenting has only recently emerged in the social science literature. This study aimed to examine the cultural sensitivity of the CoPAFS instrument among Chinese Mandarin-speaking parents. CoPAFS is a 27-item survey designed to assess co-parenting across married and unmarried family structures originally developed in English. Data were collected from 729 Chinese-speaking and 348 English-speaking respondents. Factor analyses and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that the overall model fit for the translated co-parenting measure was acceptable in Mandarin. However, the five CoPAFS subscales (trust, respect, communication, acrimony, and value) differed across comparison groups, with communication notable for its lack of endorsement among Chinese couples. Implications of measuring co-parenting within Chinese families are offered.

Cooperative coparenting and the associations with adolescent behavioral problems and delinquency in unmarried families.

Coparenting in unmarried families is a protective factor for positive adolescent adjustment. Although the relations between coparenting and adolescent outcomes have been investigated, it remains unclear whether the specific patterns of maternal and paternal coparenting are associated with adolescent behavioral outcomes. The present study includs a longitudinal cohort of 1143 triads of unmarried parents and their adolescents to examine the associations between different patterns of coparenting and adolescent behavioral problems and delinquency. The data were drawn from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study in the United States. Our study used six waves of publicly available data at children's birth, ages 1, 3, 5, 9, and 15. The latent profile analyses identified four coparenting profiles of maternal and paternal coparenting perceived by the other unmarried parent. Comparing average levels of coparenting between mothers and fathers, the profiles were entitled Low Mom-Low Dad, High Mom-Medium Dad, Low Mom-Medium Dad, and High Mom-High Dad. Parentscharacteristics, such as cohabitation and marital status, predicted the likelihood of being in cooperative coparenting profiles. Furthermore, all the identified coparenting profiles predicted adolescent externalizing behavioral problems; only the high mom cooperative coparenting profiles predicted adolescent internalizing behavioral problems; none of the coparenting profiles predicted adolescent delinquency. Our study adds empirical evidence for coparenting research by revealing that coparenting patterns vary in unmarried families and that cooperative coparenting benefits child behavioral outcomes. The findings encourage introducing different coparenting training programs targeting unmarried parents'diverse needs, thus promoting positive adolescent adjustment.

Heterogeneous effects of spanking on child protective services involvement in early childhood: A propensity score stratification analysis

BackgroundExtant literature has primarily employed linear models to estimate the average effect of spanking on children. Less is known about child and parent characteristics that may predict differential risks of children’s exposure to spanking (i.e., pre-treatment heterogeneity) and the effect of spanking on child outcomes that may differ by the propensity for spanking (i.e., post-treatment heterogeneity). ObjectiveThe present study examines pre- and post-treatment heterogeneity in the association between maternal spanking at child age 3 and subsequent household Child Protective Services (CPS) involvement that were reported by mothers between child ages 3 to 5. MethodsThe sample consisted of 2,422 families from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a birth cohort study that oversampled children born to unmarried families. A propensity score stratification analysis procedure examined pre- and post-treatment heterogeneity in the association between spanking and subsequent household CPS involvement. Children were stratified into three strata depending on their propensity for experiencing spanking. Subsequently, the association between spanking and household CPS involvement was examined for each stratum. ResultsDisadvantaged socio-economic characteristics, negative psychosocial conditions of the mother, and dysregulated temperament of the child were associated with elevated risk of spanking. The odds of subsequent household CPS involvement increased by 2.4 times (β = 0.869, p <.01) for children in the stratum with the lowest propensity for experiencing spanking. ConclusionsResults emphasize the importance of promoting alternative disciplinary strategies to families who would be considered low-risk before they may come into contact with the child welfare system.

Differences in Characteristics Between Head Start Participants and Non-Participants Among Head Start Eligible Families with Young Children

ABSTRACT Based on the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study Year-5 wave, 1,983 children were identified as Head Start eligible children (503 Head Start enrolled children, 1,435 Head Start eligible nonparticipant) to address: (1) How do child and family characteristics differ between Head Start participants and non-participants? (2) How do Head Start-eligible non-participant children utilize other types of care (pre-K, other center care, informal care, and exclusive parental care)? Research Findings: The logistic regression results indicate that Head Start-eligible nonparticipants tend to be the first-born child, born to mothers with low educational attainment and unmarried (single, cohabitating) families, living in deep poverty, and to have a higher number of siblings than those who participated in Head Start. A multinomial regression identified differences pertaining to childcare arrangements as it relates to race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and family structure. Practice or Policy: Head Start eligible families should be informed eligible early childhood education and care programs and services should be provided to assist parents in the enrollment process. The government should expand more formal childcare programs including Head Start to meet the needs of families in deep poverty, children in the child welfare system, children experiencing homelessness, and those facing various risk factors.

Incidence and risk factors of depressive symptoms in the highest age groups and competing mortality risk. Evidence from the AgeCoDe-AqeQualiDe prospective cohort study

IntroductionOnly a few studies have investigated incidence and risk factors of depression in the highest age groups. This study aims to determine incidence rates as well as risk factors of incident depressive symptoms in latest life, adjusting for the competing event of mortality. MethodsData of a prospective, longitudinal, multi-centered cohort study conducted in primary care – the AgeCoDe-/AgeQualiDe study. 2436 GP patients aged 75+ years were assessed from baseline to sixth follow-up every 18 months and from seventh to ninth follow-up every 10 months. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 15-item version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (cut-off ≥6). Competing risk regression models were used to assess determinants of incident depressive symptoms, taking care of accumulated mortality. ResultsThe incidence of depressive symptoms was 39 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 36–42; last observed exit 13.26 person-years at risk). In a competing risk regression model, female sex, unmarried family status, subjective cognitive decline as well as vision and mobility impairment were significant risk factors of incident depression. LimitationsExcluding individuals with a lack of ability to provide informed consent at baseline may have influenced the incidence of depression. Depressive symptoms were not assessed by DSM criteria. Furthermore, in studies with voluntary participation, participation bias can never be completely avoided. ConclusionFindings provide a better understanding of risk and protective factors of depressive symptoms in the oldest age taking mortality as a competing event into account. Addressing this aspect in future research may yield new insights in that research field.

Levels of physical activity and barriers to exercise among family physicians at a tertiary hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Introduction: To be healthy and mentally alert, physicians need to engage in physical activity, and this will improve the delivery of health care in the primary care setting.Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate the physical activity of family physicians and determine the common reasons why they do not engage in physical activity.Methods: We conducted a study among family physicians employed at Security Forces Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in the final quarter of 2021. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to all consenting participants to determine their physical activity and exercise levels during the prior 7 days. Demographic data, body mass index, and reasons they were unable to exercise were also collected.Results: Sixty five family physicians participated in the study, 34 (52.3%) men and 31 (47.7%) women (mean age 34.8 ± 8.6 years). The average time spent on physical activity was 1–2 days per week, approximately 30 min per day. The average physically inactive time for all physicians was 9.3 ± 7.9 h per day, with 11 participants (16.9%) spending at least 12 h per day sitting. Among the perceived barriers to exercise and physical activity, insufficient time was the most common response (n = 37, 56.9%), followed by many responsibilities (n = 31, 47.7%). Unmarried family physicians spent more time engaged in vigorous physical activity (on average 1.9 ± 2.0 days per week, 53.6 ± 29.5 min per day) compared to married physicians (on average 0.8 ± 1.6 days per week, 32.9 ± 26.6 min per day).Conclusion: Many family medicine physicians do not engage in physical activity. Those who engage in physical activity spend approximately 30 min, 1–2 days per week, which is less than the World Health Organization guidelines for physical activity. Single physicians tend to exercise more than married physicians. Lack of time to exercise was the most common reason for physical inactivity. It is necessary to institute and incorporate physical activity sessions for family physicians, as well as educational and health programs promoting increased physical activity for a better and healthier society.

Pathways Linking Parental Relationship Changes, Depressive Symptoms, and Parenting Behaviors to Young Children's Development

ObjectiveThe current study examined how parental relationship changes were linked to observed parenting behaviors, parental depressive symptoms, and 3‐year‐old children's social–emotional development.BackgroundParental relationship changes may present risks to young children's well‐being. The specific processes linking these changes to child development, however, remain unclear because these changes are often confounded with other family risks. We applied an adapted family stress model to identify family‐based pathways conferring risk to children among predominantly low‐income unmarried families.MethodData are from 2,575 families who participated in the Building Strong Families study, which included primarily unmarried, low‐income couples transitioning to parenthood. Parental relationship changes were measured as overall changes in parents' romantic relationship status with each other and with new partners and multipartner fertility. Structural equation models (SEM) were estimated to link these changes directly and indirectly, via mothers' and fathers' parenting behaviors and depressive symptoms, to children's behavior problems and effortful control.ResultsParental relationship changes were directly associated with paternal depressive symptoms and children's internalizing behaviors. Mothers' and fathers' parenting behaviors were independently associated with children's behavior problems and effortful control.ConclusionThe findings point to the value of simultaneously considering the observed parenting behaviors and depressive symptoms of mothers and fathers within the context of parent relationship changes.ImplicationsInterventions aimed at strengthening low‐income unmarried families should focus on the quality of mothers' and fathers' parenting to bolster young children's development because these parenting behaviors were more closely associated with child development than were parental relationship changes.

Long-term Neighborhood Effects on Adolescent Outcomes: Mediated through Adverse Childhood Experiences and Parenting Stress.

Past research suggests that neighborhood structural and social environments are important contextual factors associated with children's development; however, investigations of the long-term effects of neighborhood environments in early childhood on subsequent adolescents' social and behavioral outcomes remain limited. Further, it is unclear whether and how the home environment as a mediating mechanism links neighborhood conditions and adolescents' outcomes. Using national surveys from multi-stressed families and census datasets, the present study aims to examine the longitudinal associations between neighborhood concentrated poverty and collective efficacy, mothers' parenting stress, exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and later adolescent outcomes. Participants included 4898 children (52% boys) and their mothers (48% black, 25 years of age, on average, 64% living in poverty); children born in unmarried families (75% unmarried) were oversampled. The results suggest that neighborhood collective efficacy is associated directly and indirectly (via parenting stress and ACEs) with adolescents' behavior problems and social skills, and indirectly with their delinquency. Neighborhood concentrated poverty was indirectly related to adolescents' behavior problems, delinquency, and social skills transmitted through collective efficacy and family processes. Both mothers' parenting stress and exposure to ACEs were identified as significant mediators. This study highlights the importance of early intervention for high-risk children, programs to build community resilience and reinforce social support for vulnerable families, and policy efforts to create safe and nurturing relationships and environments.

Marital Status Disruptions and Internalizing Disorders of Children.

Marital disruption (i.e., separation or divorce) impacts an estimated 40-50% of married couples. Previous research has shown that marital disruption results in negative health outcomes for children and adolescents. Our study aims to investigate the relationship between marital disruptions and internalizing disorders of children in a prospective cohort. Comparisons between marital status groups at each time point showed a significant difference in CBCL score between children in married and unmarried families at 3 years of age, with children in unmarried families having a 0.10 higher standardized CBCL score (95% CI: 0.09-0.12; p<.0001). Differences in CBCL score by marital status were not significant at 5 and 9 years after adjusting for confounders. Parental marital status is associated with an increased CBCL internalizing behavior score at 3 years of age, but the association disappears at later time points.

The longitudinal and bidirectional relationships between cooperative coparenting and child behavioral problems in low-income, unmarried families.

The coparenting subsystem is important for the psychosocial development of young children. In this article, we used cross-lagged structural equation modeling to assess the bidirectional relations between unmarried parents' cooperative coparenting and their children's behavioral problems. Using a subsample of 788 dyads of poor, unmarried parents and their children from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing data, we examined trends in coparenting and behavioral problems over time (in children ages 1, 3, 5, and 9 years) and the reciprocal effects between these 2 variables. All pathways from coparenting at 1 time point to the children's behavioral problems at the following time point were significant, indicating that cooperative coparenting at earlier time points is likely to result in fewer behavioral problems in children at later time points. A cross-lagged path from behavioral problems to coparenting in the preschool years was also statistically significant. Implications for interventions and next steps for further research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Black Intimacies Matter: the Role of Family Status, Gender, and Cumulative Risk on Relationship Quality Among Black Parents

Studies show that married families report higher levels of relationship quality relative to unmarried families; yet, limited attention has been given to differences in relationship quality between married and unmarried Black families. The authors examined the interplay between family status, gender, and cumulative risk exposure on relationship quality among Black parents. The results suggest that (a) differences between married and unmarried parents only emerged on two measures of relationship quality, (b) married mothers report higher levels of cohesiveness and lower levels of distress compared to married fathers and unmarried parents; (c) cumulative risk exposure was associated with each relationship quality measure; (d) cumulative risk mediated differences in relationship quality between married and unmarried mothers but not for married and unmarried fathers; and (e) cumulative risk exposure moderated the association between family status and gender whereby the effect of cumulative risk on relationship quality was more detrimental for married mothers.

Unmarried Coparenting in the Context of Poverty: Understanding the Relationship Between Stress, Family Resource Management, and Resilience

Due to rising rates of non-marital birth in the United States, unmarried families have been the subject of extensive research and the target of government funded interventions over the last 15 years. Despite a growing literature on this population, few studies have addressed how unmarried couples coparent in the context of poverty. In the present study we used in-depth interviews with paired mothers and fathers to explore resilience processes in unmarried coparenting. We found that unmarried couples aspired to be good coparents, but the stress of living in poverty and the challenges of parenting young children led some to experience family strain or crisis. Using family stress theory as a framework for organizing the findings, we concluded that family resource management distinguished couples that adapted successfully to the task of coparenting from those that struggled to do so. Implications for theory, future research, and practice are discussed.

Income and Child Maltreatment in Unmarried Families: Evidence from the Earned Income Tax Credit.

This study estimates the associations of income with both (self-reported) child protective services (CPS) involvement and parenting behaviors that proxy for child abuse and neglect risk among unmarried families. Our primary strategy follows the instrumental variables (IV) approach employed by Dahl and Lochner (2012), which leverages variation between states and over time in the generosity of the total state and federal Earned Income Tax Credit for which a family is eligible to identify exogenous variation in family income. As a robustness check, we also estimate standard OLS regressions (linear probability models), reduced form OLS regressions, and OLS regressions with the inclusion of a control function (each with and without family-specific fixed effects). Our micro-level data are drawn from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a longitudinal birth-cohort of relatively disadvantaged urban children who have been followed from birth to age nine. Results suggest that an exogenous increase in income is associated with reductions in behaviorally-approximated child neglect and CPS involvement, particularly among low-income single-mother families.

The problem group? Psychological wellbeing of unmarried people living alone in the Republic of Korea

Background: The number of unmarried one-person households has increased rapidly among young adults living in the Republic of Korea since 2000. How this rise in solo living is related to psychological wellbeing is of importance to both individuals and society as a whole. Objective: This study examined how living alone is related to psychological wellbeing and how this association differs across attitudes toward marriage among young adults aged 25-39. Methods: We relied on repeated cross-sectional data from the Korea Social Survey (2010 and 2012) to compare unmarried solo residents to both unmarried and married individuals living with family members. Psychological wellbeing was measured in terms of life satisfaction and suicidal ideation over the past twelve months. Results: In general, unmarried solo residents experienced greater life satisfaction than did unmarried family coresidents. Of those with a positive attitude toward marriage, unmarried solo residents had lower life satisfaction than did married family coresidents. For those with a non-positive attitude toward marriage, however, there was no difference in the level of life satisfaction between unmarried solo residents and married family coresidents. Suicidal ideation did not differ by living arrangement. Conclusions: Unmarried solo living does not necessarily relate to lower psychological wellbeing among young adults in Korea. Life stage and attitudes toward marriage should be considered when examining the association between living arrangements and psychological wellbeing.

An Alleged Father's Family Medical History: An Introduction to the Nonidentifying Paternal Information Form

Today, the number of single mothers, unwed fathers, and unwed mothers is higher than it was twenty years ago. No longer does the common law presumption of legitimacy apply to a large percentage of U.S. families. Studies have shown that, over time, an unmarried father's involvement with his child decreases. If a medical emergency occurs and the father is unable to be contacted or located, the father's health information should be available in his absence. Due to the growing public health concern for children born with genetic birth defects and mental illness, this Note proposes a pilot program to help children have access to necessary medical information in order to address the medical and health needs of children born into the evolving familial structure of unmarried families. The pilot program will require hospitals to ask unmarried fathers to complete a Nonidentifying Paternal Information Form. This form will not establish paternity. The sole purpose of the form is to gather the father's medical and health history for the well‐being of the child. Key Points for the Family Court Community Discusses the importance of children knowing their fathers' medical history in order begin potential mitigate inherited illnesses. Points out a potential resource—the Nonidentifying Paternal Information Form—to assist children, parent and medical personnel in gathering relevant medical information from alleged fathers. Presents information about genetically inherited illnesses that may potentially affect children. Discusses resources utilized in semi‐open adoptions to help children know their paternal medical history. Presents the idea that best opportunity to request medical and health information from an alleged father is immediately after the in‐hospital birth of a child.

Partnering and Parenting in Poverty: A Qualitative Analysis of a Relationship Skills Program for Low-Income, Unmarried Families

Since the mid-1990s, the federal government has funded numerous relationship skills programs, including some specifically targeting low-income, unmarried parents, in an effort to strengthen couples' relationships and increase family stability. The previous research on the effectiveness of these interventions has revealed mixed results about whether such programs can improve the relationships of lower income couples who tend to experience lower relationship quality, lower marriage rates, and higher rates of relationship dissolution. This article draws on in-depth qualitative data collected during an 18-month ethnographic study of one federally funded relationship skills program for unmarried, low-income couples expecting a new baby. Overall, though parents found the financial management lessons included in the classes only minimally useful, if at all, they found other aspects of the program particularly useful for three main reasons: (1) classes allowed parents to focus exclusively on their couple relationships in ways they rarely did otherwise; (2) program incentives helped parents make financial ends meet that month; and (3) parents learned that the challenges they personally experienced were often endemic to the romantic and co-parenting relationships of unmarried parents who have few resources and experience more challenges that tend to undermine relationship quality, such as financial stress and relational ambiguity. Engaging with other couples around shared challenges normalized couples' relationship problems and lessened the resentment and animosity that typically characterized their partner interactions. These findings have important implications for healthy marriage and relationship policy. Program developers should avoid lessons that imply low-income, unmarried parents' spending habits and family-formation decisions are deficient. Interventions should instead encourage couples to discuss their shared challenges and minimize their tendency to individualize relational and financial strain. Language: en

Factors Influencing Severe Poverty of Subsistence Farming Families of Coastal Communities in Southern Nigeria

This study was conducted in coastal communities of southern Nigeria to identify the factors influencing severe poverty of farming families. Through the multi -stage sampling, 80 farming families involving 60 ma les and 20 females were selected and were subsequently interviewed using a questionnaire. Primary data were analyzed using Tobit regression model. Results of analysis revealed that while plot size, migrant remittance, farm income, education, access to modern farming resources related inversely to depth of poverty; years of experience in farming and family size were positively related to poverty. Poverty levels were lower among unmarried family heads and female headed families. Results further revealed that plot size, income from farming, access to modern farmin g resources and rooms per family memberwere negatively significant (P<.05) in relation to poverty. Conversely, marital status of family head and average walking time to nearest water source were positively significant (P<.05) in relation to poverty. The level of educational attainment and migrant remittance were significant (P<.10) and negatively related to poverty whereas family size and average walking time to nearest health facility were very significantly (P<.01) positively related to poverty. Findings further reveal that poverty was lower for families that received migrant earnings either in form of cash or goods to support the families. The results suggest the relevance of migrant remittances in

Family structure and child anemia in Mexico

Utilizing longitudinal data from the nationally-representative Mexico Family Life Survey, this study assesses the association between family structure and iron-deficient anemia among children ages 3–12 in Mexico. The longitudinal models (n = 4649), which control for baseline anemia status and allow for consideration of family structure transitions, suggest that children living in stable-cohabiting and single-mother families and those who have recently experienced a parental union dissolution have higher odds of anemia than those in stable-married, father-present family structures. Interaction effects indicate that unmarried family contexts have stronger associations with anemia in older children (over age five); and, that the negative effects of parental union dissolution are exacerbated in poorer households. Resident maternal grandparents have a significant beneficial effect on child anemia independent of parental family structure. These results highlight the importance of family structure for child micronutrient deficiencies and suggest that understanding social processes within households may be critical to preventing child anemia in Mexico.