Community Literacy Resources and Home Literacy Practices Among Immigrant Latino Families

ABSTRACT

This paper reports relationships among communities, families, and Spanish-speaking children's language and literacy development in kindergarten and grade 1. Findings from a study of 35 communities show that communities with greater concentrations of Latinos are less likely to have printed materials, and available materials are more likely to be in Spanish. Communities with higher income and education levels have more literacy materials in English. Contrary to predictions, there are few associations among community literacy resources, frequency of children's home reading activities, and children's literacy achievement. This lack of association is due to within-community variation in home literacy practices and to schools' impact on home literacy. However, there are associations among community and family language characteristics and child literacy outcomes in Spanish and English, suggesting that at least in the early stages of literacy development, communities' influence on Spanish-speaking children's literacy development is through language-learning opportunities rather than literacy-learning opportunities per se.     

Children's Behavior Problems in Single-Parent and Married-Parent Families

Abstract

A model integrating prevailing perspectives on children's functioning following divorce was used to predict children's behavior problems. The data were collected from 30 custodial mothers, 30 custodial fathers, and 30 married parents with children 6 to 10 years of age, using face-to-face interviews and standardized questionnaires. Results using path analysis indicated that marital status and parental control had significant direct effects on children's behavior problems. Sex of parent, economic strain, co-parental conflict, coping with roles, and parenting indirectly influenced children's behavior through parental control. The findings suggest that the pressures inherent in raising a child alone, combined with too few resources for coping with role demands, are disruptive to both parenting and parental control, and that children in single-parent families appear to respond to these deficits with disruptive behaviors. Implications for family practice and policy are discussed.     

Express yourself! A student's experience of running a movement improvisation workshop

This paper is an account of a social work student's experience running an improvisation workshop whilst on placement in a children's residential home. It describes the ways in which children were able to use movement and music in a spontaneous and unstructured manner to express their emotions, and how the improvised use of music can enable children to relate to, and understand, their experience.     

The residential treatment of an abusing family

Abstract

This article discusses the residential treatment of an abusing family in a local authority setting, when the use of short-stay children's homes was changed to provide a preventive service for families in trouble. The Centre has room to admit a family where the child's safety cannot be guaranteed in its own home.

The structure of the treatment programme is described, the partnership of residential and field work staff, the monitoring role provided by residential staff and the importance of supervision, particularly for those closely involved with the family. The role of the NAI Conference is discussed, and the individual functions of its members in relation to the family. The varied methods of working with the family are described, and the family's emotional response is illustrated with the theme of separation.

The article concludes that the family did respond to treatment, and that we have further to go in developing residential work with abusing families at our Centre.     

Observation of Externalizing Behavior During a Twin-Friend Discussion Task

SUMMARY

In the last decade, numerous collaborations between developmentalists and behavior geneticists have extended developmental theories to genetically informative samples. This study integrates the approaches used by behavior geneticists and environmental researchers to further our understanding of the etiology of children's externalizing behavior. First, genetic and environmental influences on externalizing behavior are reviewed and studies using data from parent reports, self-reports, teacher reports, public records, and observation are described. Second, observational data from a middle-childhood twin sample are presented. Results suggest significant dominant genetic effects on observed twin negative behavior during a friend interaction (N= 148 twin pairs). In addition, nonshared environmental effects were substantial; when controlling for the coparticipant's behavior, nonshared environment was the sole source of variation. Context and method effects are discussed.     

Conceptions of Family and Adoption Among Older Adoptees

ABSTRACT

Research on older child adoptions that incorporates the adoptee's perspective is noticeably absent from the literature. Drawing on the theoretical, clinical and empirical literature on children's understanding of family and adoption, this paper reports a study that examined older adoptees' conceptions of family and adoption relative to nonadopted peers. Interviews with 15 children adopted between ages 8 and 11 and a sample of 15 demographically matched nonadopted children (47% male; 84% Caucasian, 13% African American, 3% Biracial Asian/American) provided data that were analyzed for differences in children's understanding and elaboration of family and adoption concepts. Although no group differences were found in children's basic understanding of family or adoption, differences emerged in children's ratings of the acceptability and typicality of family constellations, as well as in the nature of concept elaboration. Older adoptees were more likely to accept and view as typical nontraditional family constellations. Whereas nonadopted children relied more on biological themes, older adoptees' concept elaboration was qualitatively richer, reflecting their varied birth family and foster care experiences. Within-group comparisons among older adoptees revealed differences: Children with more experience in foster care and children who lived in the adoptive home longer displayed higher levels of family understanding and a more realistic perspective of the permanence of the placement. Implications for future research and adoption service delivery are discussed.     

“Something Amazing I Guess”: Children's Views on Having A Say About Supervised Contact

Abstract

This paper reports on a small-scale, qualitative study on children's perspectives about their participation in decision-making processes regarding supervised contact. The paper begins with an overview of the study and a summary of findings in relation to four key research questions framed around the idea of children having a say, that is, children's views and perspectives of their participation in family law decision-making processes. These key questions include: What are children's experiences of having a say? What are children's understandings of having a say? Did children want a say in the decision for them to have supervised contact? How did having (or not having) a say feel? Discussion focuses on what importance children place on having a say in family law matters, a finding that is contrasted with children's experiences of marginalisation and exclusion from decision-making processes and of ambivalence and reluctance sometimes expressed around having a say. Children's idea of having a say as taking place in and through particular forms of dialogue and conversation, thus enabling the recognition of children and respect for what they have to say, are also explored. We conclude by reflecting on the implications of the study for professionals working in family law     

The Double ABCX Model and Children's Post-Divorce Adaptation

Abstract

This article addresses the adaptation of children to divorce utilizing the post-crisis components of the Double ABCX Model of Family Stress by providing an overview of the post-crisis components of the model, integrating research on children's post-divorce adaptation into the specific components of the Double ABCX Model, and recommending applications for assessment, explanation, and therapy in relation to children's post-divorce adaptation. The variables examined include: parental divorce as a stressor (x); the children's pile-up of demands (aA); children's existing and new resources (bB); children's perception of the stressor, pile-up, and resources (cC); and children's post-divorce adaptation (xX).     

Children's Emotional Regulation and Social Competence in Middle Childhood

SUMMARY

Associations among parental behaviors, children's emotional reactivity, and dimensions of children's social competence were examined. Fourth grade children (N = 103) and their parents participated in a laboratory discussion task. Parent-child relationship qualities, parental emotion socialization behaviors, measures of children's emotional regulatory abilities, and social competence (assessed by teachers and peers) were obtained. Results indicated that parents' behaviors in the discussion task were related to both children's emotional and social competence. Both mothers' and fathers' behaviors were linked to children's emotional regulatory abilities and social competence. In addition, children's emotional regulation was related to children's social competence. Only limited evidence of the mediating role of emotion regulation was found. Implications for relative roles of mothers and fathers in the emergence of emotional and social competence were noted.     

A Prospective Study of Behavioural Disturbance in Children Who Subsequently Experience Parental Divorce

This study examines changes in children's behaviour as a function of parental divorce. As part of a large scale general population study on the effects of marital disharmony on children, 139 children from the general population were followed up from a previous study. These children and their mothers were interviewed first between 1979 and 1982 (time 1) and then followed up between 1984 and 1986 (time 2). Between the time 1 interview and the time 2 interview, 16 children's parents had separated or divorced. This paper deals with the mothers' report of changes in the behaviour of these children between time 1 and time 2 as a function of their parents' divorce, and compares this with changes in children's behaviour whose parents live in disharmonious (N = 40) or harmonious homes (N = 50). Children's reports of their own behaviour at time 2 are also presented. The data show that children in disharmonious homes and children whose parents subsequently divorce show higher levels of disturbance than children in harmonious homes. Children whose parents subsequently divorce show their disturbance prior to the divorce. Children's coping strategies in response to divorce were also investigated and and an association was found between children's behavioural problems and (a) self-blame and (b) not having friends whose parents had divorced.     

A Community-Based Multiple Family Group Intervention for Sheltered Families

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of a multiple family group intervention developed to improve familial functioning and decrease the frequency of children's behavior problems while families are living in shelters and as they prepare to transition back into more permanent living conditions. The skill-based curriculum focuses on diminishing stress, while helping strengthen families' beliefs, cohesion and structure. Nineteen adults and thirty-five children from five shelters across a mid-south metropolitan area participated in the study. The results showed significant reductions in parents' perceived stress and improvements in families' level of cohesion and their children's maladaptive behaviors. Moreover, effect sizes showed that these changes were clinically significant as well.     

Sleep disturbance as a clinical sign for severe hypogonadism: efficacy of testosterone replacement therapy on sleep disturbance among hypogonadal men without obstructive sleep apnea

Objective: The present subanalysis of the EARTH study investigates the effects of one year testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on sleep disturbance among hypogonadal men without obstructive sleep apnea.

Methods: Sleep disturbance was defined as three or more points in question 4 of the aging males symptoms (AMS) questionnaire. All participants completed the AMS scale, International Prostatic Symptoms Score (IPSS), Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) and Short Form 36 (SF-36) health survey at baseline and after 12?months. Sexual symptoms were also evaluated based on three AMS subscores (Q15, 16 and 17).

Results: We identified 100 patients with sleep disturbance, of whom 48 (24 each in the TRT and control groups) were ultimately included for analysis. All SF-36 categories , AMS scale, IPSS and SHIM score subdomains were significantly worse in patients with sleep disturbance than in those without disturbance. Statistically significant differences in sleep disturbance, erectile symptoms, sexual desire and some domains of the SF-36 were observed between the TRT and control groups after 12?months.

Conclusion: Sleep disturbance may be one of the clinical signs for severe hypogonadism. Moreover, TRT improved sleep conditions, sexual function and quality of life among hypogonadal men with sleep disturbance.     

Impacts of Parents' Divorce on Chinese Children

Abstract

The study examined the impact of parents' divorce on Chinese children's well-being. A Chinese theoretical model was tested using Structural Equation Modeling. The sample consisted of 940 Chinese children aged 6–16. The well-being of children from divorced families was compared with that of two-parent and widowed families. The results showed that children's academic performance mediated the negative impact of divorce on children's well-being. The societal discriminating attitude towards divorce and single-parent families had a strong negative effect on the children's well-being. Parenting skills of the custodial parent had more influence on the children's well-being than the marital conflicts prior to the divorce. Supports from the extended families counterbalanced some negative effects associated with divorce.     

Family Life With Children With Disabilities: The Key Role of Rehabilitation

This study examines the effects of children's medical impairments and functional disabilities and the use of medical care and rehabilitation on three family consequences (job changes, severe financial problems, and sleep disruptions). We use a life course perspective on the interlinked lives of family members, countertransitions, and career contingencies to understand the family impact of child disability. Using data from the 1994 and 1995 National Health Interview Surveys (N= 3,446), we find that the rehabilitation services that children receive account for (mediate) a large part of the observed association of children's medical impairments and disabilities on these family outcomes. Assistance in obtaining rehabilitation for children with disabilities could reduce the family costs and disruptive countertransitions associated with raising children with disabilities.     

School Performances Among Internationally Adopted Children in Norway

ABSTRACT

A sample of 193 internationally adopted children from Colombia and Korea and a matched sample of 193 Norwegian-born children were tested for school competence. The results showed that as a group, adopted children had lower school performances than Norwegian-born children. The disparity within the adopted group's performances was considerable. Most of the disparity was explained by the adopted children's language skills, especially the ability to use the language at a higher cognitive level (school language), and a high frequency of hyperactive behavior. However, while country of origin also contributed significantly, the children's age of adoption did not explain much of the variance.     

Current Empirical Assessment Methods for Adolescents and Children Who Sexually Abuse Others

Abstract

The assessment of adolescents and children who commit sexually abusive behavior is a complex and challenging task. Incorporating empirically based assessment methods into psychosexual evaluations promises appropriate coverage of relevant domains, sound interpretation of the meaning of data, reduced clinician biases and error, and greater certainty in decision-making. In this paper we review empirically-based assessment methods currently available for use in psychosexual assessment of adolescents and children who sexually abuse others. Our review describes the robustness of these measures and provides guidance for their appropriate use in assessment. The review highlighted that several empirically-based measures are suitable for clinical use with adolescents, but very little is available to guide assessment of children's abusive behavior per se.     

Evening and night work schedules and children's social and emotional well-being

ABSTRACT

An emerging body of evidence shows that parents’ non-standard work schedules have a detrimental effect on children's well-being. However, only a limited number of studies have investigated mediating factors that underpin this association. Likewise, only a few studies have examined the impact of fathers’ non-standard work schedules on children's well-being. Based on data from the Families in Germany Study (FiD), this study aimed to address these research gaps. The sample consists of parents and their children at ages 7–8 and 9–10 (n?=?838 child observations in dual-earner families). The data were collected in the years 2010–2013. Non-standard work hours were defined as working in evenings and or at night (every day, several times a week, or changing as shifts). Children's social and emotional well-being was measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The findings show that both mothers’ and fathers’ evening and night work schedules are linked to an increase in children's externalizing and internalizing behavior and that this association is partially mediated by mothers’ and fathers’ harsh and strict parenting, with a stronger mediation effect for fathers parenting.     

Increased Family Involvement in School Predicts Improved Child–Teacher Relationships and Feelings About School for Low-Income Children

ABSTRACT

Family involvement in school, children's relationships with their teachers, and children's feelings about school were examined longitudinally from kindergarten through fifth grade for an ethnically diverse, low-income sample (N = 329). Within-families analyses indicated that changes in family involvement in school were directly associated with changes in children's relationships with their teachers and indirectly associated with changes in children's feelings about school, with student–teacher relationships mediating this latter association. Increases in family involvement in school predicted improvements in student–teacher relationships, and, in turn, these improvements in student–teacher relationships predicted improvements in children's perceptions of competency in literacy and mathematics as well as improvements in children's attitudes toward school, more generally. These results are consistent with systems theories of child development and help answer why family educational involvement matters for low-income children. This research was supported by a grant to the authors from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (5R03HD052858-02). Principal investigators of the School Transitions Study were Deborah Stipek, Heather Weiss, Penny Hauser-Cram, Walter Secada, and Jennifer Greene, who were supported in part by grants from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, The Foundation for Child Development, and the William T. Grant Foundation.     

Putting Fathers Back in the Picture

SUMMARY

Drawing on over a quarter of a century of Panel Study of Income Dynamics data, this paper examines links between childhood home environment (as reported by fathers during those childhood years) and children's outcomes in early adulthood. The emphasis is on the role of fathers and the unique contribution of their activities and characteristics to children's development, measured in terms of the children's completed schooling, wage rates, and nonmarital childbearing in early adulthood. The paper shows that fathers' abilities add substantial predictive power to models based on maternal characteristics. Fathers' church attendance and the precautionary actions of parents are also strong predictors of children's adult outcomes, although differentially so for sons and daughters.     

Using Family-Oriented Treatment to Improve Placement Outcomes for Children and Youth in Residential Treatment

Abstract

Traditionally, caregivers of children with severe emotional and behavioral disturbances have been excluded from treatment planning, and service providers have often blamed caregivers for children's mental health problems. More recently, an approach to treatment based on Systems of Care has emphasized the importance of including caregivers in every aspect of treatment. This article describes a family-oriented residential treatment program in eastern North Carolina and reports initial results of a pilot study in which caregiver participation is valued and emphasized. Implications for practice, policy, and professional training are discussed.