The relationship between family cohesion and bedtime procrastination among Chinese college students: the chain mediating effect of coping styles and mobile phone addiction.

BACKGROUND: Bedtime procrastination refers to an individual's inability to go to bed at a predetermined time without external obstacles. Previous researchers have found that the bedtime procrastination is harmful to human physical and mental health, but these research on bedtime procrastination have mostly focused on exploring individual factors, while ignoring the external environmental factors. Therefore, this is the first study to investigate bedtime procrastination from the perspective of family environments. METHODS: The study was conducted using a convenient sampling method and online questionnaires. Family Cohesion Scale, Coping Styles Questionnaire, Mobile Phone Addiction Tendency Scale and Bedtime Procrastination Scale were used to measure sleep and psychological condition of 1,048 college students. RESULTS: Family cohesion negatively predicted bedtime procrastination. Additionally, positive coping style and mobile phone addiction had significant independent mediating effects. Furthermore, positive coping style and mobile phone addiction had chain mediating effects between family cohesion and bedtime procrastination. CONCLUSION: This study revealed the effect of coping styles and mobile phone addiction on the relationship between family cohesion and bedtime procrastination among Chinese college students. These findings explained the mechanisms of bedtime procrastination from the perspective of environment, so as to effectively intervene the bedtime procrastination of college students from the perspective of external environment.

Families tackling adolescent anorexia nervosa: family wellbeing in family-based treatment or other interventions. A scoping review.

PURPOSE: Family-based treatment (FBT) has contributed significantly to the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN) in young people (YP). However, parents are concerned that FBT and the active role of parents in the task of refeeding may have a negative impact on family relations. The aim of the review is to assess whether families engaged in FBT for AN are more or less impacted in their family wellbeing and caregiver burden, compared to families with a YP diagnosed with AN, who are not undergoing treatment with FBT. METHOD: Computerized searches across six databases complemented by a manual search resulted in 30 papers being included in the scoping review. RESULTS: The review identified 19 longitudinal studies on change in family wellbeing in families in FBT-like treatments, and 11 longitudinal studies on change in family wellbeing in treatment where parents are not in charge of refeeding. Only three randomized controlled studies directly compare FBT to treatment without parent-led refeeding. CONCLUSION: The available research suggests no difference between intervention types regarding impact on family wellbeing. Approximately half of the studies find improvements in family wellbeing in both treatment with and without parent-led refeeding, while the same proportion find neither improvement nor deterioration. As parents play a pivotal role in FBT, there is a need for good quality studies to elucidate the impact of FBT on family wellbeing. Level of evidence Level V: Opinions of authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, or reports of expert committees.

Factors and pathways of non-suicidal self-injury in children: insights from computational causal analysis.

Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has become a significant public health issue, especially prevalent among adolescents. The complexity and multifactorial nature of NSSI necessitate a comprehensive understanding of its underlying causal factors. This research leverages the causal discovery methodology to explore these causal associations in children. Methods: An observational dataset was scrutinized using the causal discovery method, particularly employing the constraint-based approach. By integrating machine learning and causal inference techniques, the study aimed to determine direct causal relationships associated with NSSI. The robustness of the causal relationships was evaluated using three methods to construct and validate it: the PC (Peter and Clark) method, Fast Causal Inference (FCI) method, and the GAE (Graphical Autoencoder) method. Results: Analysis identified nine nodes with direct causal relationships to NSSI, including life satisfaction, depression, family dysfunction, sugary beverage consumption, PYD (positive youth development), internet addiction, COVID-19 related PTSD, academic anxiety, and sleep duration. Four principal causal pathways were identified, highlighting the roles of lockdown-induced lifestyle changes, screen time, positive adolescent development, and family dynamics in influencing NSSI risk. Conclusions: An in-depth analysis of the factors leading to Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), highlighting the intricate connections among individual, family, and pandemic-related influences. The results, derived from computational causal analysis, underscore the critical need for targeted interventions that tackle these diverse causative factors.

Hearing the voices of Black Africans: Essential components for culturally relevant marriage enrichment programs in South Africa.

The literature on marriage supports teaching essential skills to enhance relationship quality and prevent divorce. However, limited marriage and relationship curricula tailored for African cultures, especially within the South African context, are currently available. This study aimed to redress gaps in literature and practice, outlining elements for inclusion into a marriage enrichment program (MEP) grounded on PREP 8.0 (Prevention and Relationship Education Program) and current baseline research conducted in South Africa. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was utilized, using face-to-face interviews with leaders and social services practitioners (SSPs) and a pilot study with couples, all sampled purposively. Findings show that (1) Black Africans are in high need of MEPs, revealed through intense gratitude and (2) a prerequisite for positive outcomes is the integration of equally necessary traditional contextual components with modern practices, elucidated by practical recommendations. A contextual and culturally relevant MEP is a systematic attempt to improve the functioning of marriage through education, effectively supporting Black Africans to cultivate healthy, stable family relationships.

Using latent class analysis to operationalize a wholistic assessment of Inuit health and well-being.

Many indigenous cultures conceptualize health wholistically, whereby physical, mental, spiritual and relational dimensions of health are interconnected. Yet, quantitative approaches to studying Indigenous health remain anchored in western perspectives, that separate the dimensions of health. This paper aims to operationalize a wholistic indicator of health based on the IQI model of Inuit health. Variables from the 2017 Nunavik Health Survey (N = 1196) were selected based on their representativeness of IQI model. Exploratory Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to identify wholistic health profiles. Once participants assigned to their health profile, sociodemographic characteristics were compared across profiles, and multinomial regression models were used to examine the relationship between community-level social determinants of health and the profiles. The LCA revealed three health profiles, labelled as "excellent", "good" and "fair" based on the distribution of answers to the indicators. Nunavimmiut in "excellent" and "good" health were more likely to: rate their health positively; be over 30 years old; be in a relationship; and have participated or volunteered in community events. Nunavimmiut in "fair" health tended to report lower levels of community cohesion, family relationships, and emotional support. Intergrating culturally relevant models of health can support improved health status assessments and identify opportunities for health promotion.

Maternal Depressive Symptoms in the First Year after Childbirth Predict Long-Term Developmental Risks in Sons and Daughters.

Under-diagnosed and thus under-treated, maternal depression remains the most common complication of childbearing. Varying symptoms suggest persistence up to more than a decade following childbirth. This implies distinct vulnerabilities for the physical and emotional care of children. Using a prospective-longitudinal sex-stratified birth cohort of 2120 infants, we examined the relationship between early maternal depression symptoms and subsequent child psycho-social and relational characteristics. Mothers self-reported the severity and frequency of depressive symptoms 5 months after childbirth. Parents, teachers, and target participants reported on child mental health and relationships with adults, from kindergarten to tenth grade. A series of least-squares regressions were estimated, while controlling for pre-existing/concurrent child and family confounds. Both sons and daughters of mothers with more depressive symptoms were at risk of experiencing greater psycho-social impairment, classroom rule defiance, difficult relationships with teachers, less enjoyable mealtimes (age 6 years) and sleep, and coercive or inconsistent parenting practices in childhood and adolescence. For boys, these prospective associations were mostly consistent through ages 12 and 15 years. Girls also experienced more problematic interactions through to age 15 years. This study provides observations of distinct long-term vulnerabilities for sons and daughters in association with early maternal distress at important transitional periods of development in early, middle, and later childhood.

Family functioning of adolescents with restrictive eating disorders with or without nonsuicidal self-injury.

Family influence is a crucial factor in the onset and maintenance of eating disorders. Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and restrictive eating disorders (REDs) co-occur in a significant percentage of subjects but family functioning of these families remains underexplored. This study examines the family functioning perceptions of 80 families with adolescents experiencing RED, comparing those with and without NSSI, alongside a control group, utilising the FACES-IV assessment. The study also aims to compare the triadic (adolescent-mother-father) perception of family functioning in the three groups. The results reveal distinct family dynamics in adolescents with both RED and NSSI, marked by problematic functioning perceptions from all family members and low parental agreement. A further understanding of the family functioning of adolescents with RED with NSSI can help clinicians in defining the treatment setting.

Impact of pediatric cancer on parents' relationships.

PURPOSE: Cancer in children leads to changes in family life, which can also affect the stability and quality of the parents' relationships. Studies show that parents' educational level, duration of partnership until diagnosis, child's cancer, and grandparents' relationship stability may influence parental partnership. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of childhood cancer on the stability and quality of parental relationships in Germany. METHODS: N = 74 parents of children with cancer aged 28-65 years (M = 41.9, SD = 7.6) completed questions on the stability and quality of their partnership as well as parental distress, depression, and anxiety. Stability was compared with the separation rate in the general population, and quality was compared using norm data from the German version of the Quality of Marriage Index (QMI-D; Zimmermann et al., 2019). A regression model was developed to predict mothers' current partnership quality. RESULTS: The proportion of separated and divorced people was 12.2 % compared to 14. % in the general population. Retrospectively assessed partnership quality at time of diagnosis was significantly lower than in the German general population (p < .05). Higher anxiety proved to be the most significant predictor of maternal lower partnership satisfaction assessed at the time of the survey. DISCUSSION: Parents of children with cancer did not show an increased separation rate. The partnership quality at the time of diagnosis was significantly lower, but was still above the cut-off of 34, suggesting predominant resilience of parental partnerships. However, some of parents showed significantly lower satisfaction. Future studies should identify parents who are more likely to experience a deterioration in partnership satisfaction or separation so that partnership interventions can be offered where appropriate.

Community-Delivered Evidence-Based Practice and Usual Care for Adolescent Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Examining Mechanistic Outcomes.

Previous research suggests that routine psychosocial care for adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is an eclectic and individualized mix of diluted evidence-based practices (EBPs) and low-value approaches. This study evaluated the extent to which a community-delivered EBP and usual care (UC) for adolescents with ADHD produce differential changes in theorized behavioral, psychological, and cognitive mechanisms of ADHD. A randomized community-based trial was conducted with double randomization of adolescent and community therapists to EBP delivery supports (Supporting Teens' Autonomy Daily [STAND]) versus UC delivery. Participants were 278 culturally diverse adolescents (ages 11-17) with ADHD and caregivers. Mechanistic outcomes were measured at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up using parent-rated, observational, and task-based measures. Results using linear mixed models indicated that UC demonstrated superior effects on parent-rated and task-based executive functioning relative to STAND. However, STAND demonstrated superior effects on adolescent motivation and reducing parental intrusiveness relative to UC when it was delivered by licensed therapists. Mechanisms of community-delivered STAND and UC appear to differ. UC potency may occur through improved executive functioning, whereas STAND potency may occur through improved teen motivation and reducing low-value parenting practices. However, when delivered by unlicensed, community-based therapists, STAND did not enact proposed mechanisms. Future adaptations of community-delivered EBPs for ADHD should increase supports for unlicensed therapists, who comprise the majority of the community mental health workforce.

Work-family conflicts and sickness absence-a register-linked cohort study among young and early midlife employees.

BACKGROUND: Work-family conflicts (WFC) have been associated with poor mental health, poor self-rated health and sickness absence. However, studies on short sickness absence are lacking and more information is needed also about long sickness absence regarding the direction of WFC, and potential explaining factors particularly among young and early middle-aged employees. METHODS: The Helsinki Health Study baseline survey (2017) among 19- to 39-year-old municipal employees (N = 3683, 80% women, response rate 51.5%) was linked to employer's sickness absence data. The associations of work-to-family conflicts (WTFC) and family-to-work conflicts (FTWC) with short (1-7 days) and long (over 7 days) sickness absence were analyzed using negative binomial regression analysis. Covariates were age, gender, family-related factors and work-related factors. Stratified analyses by occupational class were performed. The results are presented as rate ratios and their 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: High WTFC were associated with short (1.25, 1.12-1.40) and long (1.37, 1.11-1.70) sickness absence. High FTWC were also associated with short (1.12, 1.03-1.22) and long (1.24, 1.06-1.45) sickness absence. Adjustment for family-related factors strengthened the associations, whereas adjustment for work-related factors abolished the associations between WTFC and sickness absence. Associations between WFC and sickness absence were observed among two lowest occupational classes only. CONCLUSION: WFC are associated with both short and long sickness absence. Work-related factors including the quality of supervisory work and shift work play a role in the association. Intervention studies could determine if improvements in combining work and family life lead to a reduction in sickness absence.

Pain intensity and self-perceived burden mediate the relationship between family functioning and pain catastrophizing in patients with neuropathic pain.

This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the relationship between family functioning, pain intensity, self-perceived burden, and pain catastrophizing. Moreover, we also wanted to explore the multiple mediating roles of pain intensity and self-perceived burden. From October 2022 to March 2023, 252 Chinese people with neuropathic pain completed face-to-face questionnaires to assess family functioning, pain intensity, self-perceived burden, and pain catastrophizing. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and a structural equation model. The results showed better family functioning was significantly associated with more intense pain, less self-perceived burden, and less pain catastrophizing. Mediation analysis showed that family functioning could indirectly affect pain catastrophizing through pain intensity and self-perceived burden in addition to a direct effect on pain catastrophizing. Moreover, the mediating variable of pain intensity played a masking role. These findings suggest that good family functioning can effectively reduce the self-perceived burden and pain catastrophizing in patients with neuropathic pain. However, family functioning cannot show its maximum effectiveness, and it may be necessary to construct a model of family functioning suitable for patients with neuropathic pain in the future.

Assessing family relations in borderline personality disorder: A relational approach.

The aims of the current study are to describe the basic family relationships, parental bonding patterns, and dyadic adjustment of families with offspring diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) and to explore the correlations between these variables related to family relations and BPD symptomatology. The sample consisted of 194 participants, including parents from the control (N = 76) and clinical group (N = 76), and patients with BPD (N = 42). All progenitors completed a measure of family relations, parental bonding, and dyadic adjustment. Patients completed a measure of parental bonding and borderline symptomatology. The results showed significant differences between both groups in marital and parental functioning, marital satisfaction, dyadic adjustment, and care. Correlations among family variables and BPD symptomatology were also found. In summary, findings underscore the significance of comprehending the complexity of family relationships in BPD while advocating for a relational perspective when examining the family dynamics.

Perceived loss of support to community caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) had a negative impact on the health and well-being of community caregivers. Few studies examine the pandemic's negative impact on the availability of social networks of caregivers. This article uses data collected during COVID-19 before vaccination to examine caregivers' reports of perceived lost and reduced network support. We assessed the personal networks of a nationally representative sample of 2214 community caregivers in the United States. We analyzed associations between caregiving factors and caregivers' perceptions of lost and reduced network support. Changes in care recipient living circumstances during COVID-19, longer-term caregiving, care recipient hearing/vision/mobility problems, caregiver travel/socializing restrictions, caregiver race/ethnicity, caregiver income, caregiver age, network connectivity, family relationships, and network members' age were associated with perceived lost/reduced support during the pandemic. Findings provide insights for the development of social network interventions to support caregivers and help them cultivate support networks resilient to public health crises.

Social Support Networks Among Black Caregivers of Persons With Memory Problems.

Positive social support can predict health outcomes in populations that experience significant burdens, such as minority caregivers. The purpose of the current study was to detail the social network (SN) of 36 Black family caregivers (FCGs) for persons with memory problems (PWMP) and examine differences in SN support depending on FCG gender and relationship to the care recipient. Participants were recruited from the Alzheimer's family program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the local community. FCGs were categorized into adult children (ACH), grandchildren and in-law children, and friends and other relatives. FCGs described the amount of adequate support they receive for different types of support from their SN. Female FCGs reported higher levels of support overall, with the largest effect sizes including social (d = 0.63), emotional (d = 0.64), and financial (d = 0.38) support. The largest effect size comparison of caregiver relationship type was in social support, with the ACH group reporting the lowest levels of adequate social support compared to the other two groups (d = 0.48). Findings suggest that different types of Black FCGs face unique challenges depending on their gender and familial relationship to the care recipient. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(1), 22-29.].

Early parental deprivation during primate infancy has a lifelong impact on gene expression in the male marmoset brain.

Adverse early life experiences are well-established risk factors for neurological disorders later in life. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of adverse experiences on neurophysiological systems throughout life remain incompletely understood. Previous studies suggest that social attachment to parents in early development are indispensable for infants to grow into healthy adults. In situations where multiple offspring are born in a single birth in common marmosets, human hand-rearing is employed to ensure the survival of the offspring in captivity. However, hand-reared marmosets often exhibit behavioral abnormalities, including abnormal vocalizations, excessive attachment to the caretaker, and aggressive behavior. In this study, comprehensive transcriptome analyses were conducted on hippocampus tissues, a neuroanatomical region sensitive to social attachment, obtained from human hand-reared (N = 6) and parent-reared male marmosets (N = 5) at distinct developmental stages. Our analyses revealed consistent alterations in a subset of genes, including those related to neurodevelopmental diseases, across different developmental stages, indicating their continuous susceptibility to the effects of early parental deprivation. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of gene expression in response to early life experiences and suggest that the impact of early parental deprivation on gene expression may vary across different stages of development.

Longitudinal associations between child discipline methods and physical growth patterns across preschool years.

OBJECTIVE: Research has documented the associations of child maltreatment with a range of physical health problems, but little is known about the physical growth patterns of children who experience maltreatment in early childhood. This study aimed to examine the association between various discipline approaches and physical growth in preschool-aged children. METHODS: In the first year of preschool, parents of 661 Chinese preschool-aged children completed a questionnaire with items pertaining to the frequency of using physical maltreatment, psychological aggression, neglect, and nonviolent discipline toward the child. Children's weight and height were assessed annually using direct assessment in the first and two subsequent years. Longitudinal analyses were performed using multiple regression models. RESULTS: More frequent neglect and psychological aggression during the first year of preschool were associated with a higher likelihood of a decreased BMI z score in subsequent years. Conversely, increased experience of physical maltreatment in the first year was associated with an increased likelihood of having overweight or obesity in the third year. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that early maltreatment experience can impact physical growth. This highlights the importance of preventing abusive parenting and encouraging healthy habits in young children who have experienced maltreatment to decrease their future risk for weight problems.

Parent-Child Relationships Following Gray Divorce: Stronger Ties With Mothers, Weaker Ties With Fathers.

OBJECTIVES: With rising gray divorce rates, older individuals face heightened risk of social isolation, highlighting the significance of adult children as a vital source of solidarity in the absence of a spouse. Simultaneously, gray divorce may undermine parent-adult child relationships and weaken the core of the family safety net of older persons. This study examined the consequences of gray divorce for parent-child relationships. METHODS: We used longitudinal data from the German Family Panel (Pairfam), a large-scale panel study collecting detailed information about family relationships and family structure. We focused on adult children aged 18-49 (n = 9,092) whose parents were married at first observation. During an observation period spanning up to 13 years (2008-2020), 606 individuals experienced parental divorce. Using fixed-effects models, we estimated changes in contact frequency, emotional closeness, and instrumental and emotional support provided to parents. RESULTS: Consequences of gray divorce varied strongly between mothers and fathers. Adult-child solidarity intensified for mothers but eroded for fathers. This impact was strongest for changes in contact frequency, moderate for changes in emotional closeness, and smaller for changes in support. The persistence of gender role differentiation was evident, as daughters displayed closer ties and provided greater support to their mothers following a gray divorce. DISCUSSION: Divorce alters relationships with adult children. A gray divorce tilts adult-child solidarity toward mothers and puts fathers at a higher risk of social isolation. Moreover, the observed gender dynamics underscore the continued influence of gender roles on family dynamics in the aftermath of gray divorce.

Suicidality risk in children and adolescents with externalizing disorders: symptoms profiles at high risk and the moderating role of dysregulated family relationships.

Children and adolescents with externalizing disorders are at risk for suicidal ideation or behavior. Factors that put them at risk could be symptoms related or facilitated by their environment. We evaluated the links of symptoms profiles with suicidality, and the effects of family relationship characteristics on these links. Latent profile analysis was used to subgroup participants referred for ADHD assessment (n = 1249, aged 6-17) based on their externalizing and internalizing symptoms. Self- and parent-reported child suicidal ideation (S-SI, P-SI), and parent-reported self-harm behavior (P-SHB) were compared across profiles. The moderating effects of parent-reported marital conflict and parenting practices were examined. A four-profile model showed optimal fit. Participants of the Low Symptoms profile followed by the Inattentive-Hyperactive/Impulsive profile showed lower P-SI compared to those of the Irritable-Defiant and the Conduct Problems profiles. Low Symptoms participants also reported lower S-SI compared to those of the Inattentive-Hyperactive/Impulsive and the Irritable-Defiant profiles. Participants of the Irritable-Defiant and the Conduct Problems profiles had higher P-SHB compared to the Low Symptoms and the Inattentive-Hyperactive/Impulsive participants. Dysregulated marital conflict practices were associated with greater increase in P-SI in all profiles compared to the Low Symptoms profile. Aggressive marital conflict practices were associated with increased P-SHB in the Conduct Problems profile compared to the Inattentive-Hyperactive/Impulsive profile. Children and adolescents with irritability and defiance symptoms with or without conduct problems show higher risk for suicidal ideation and behavior compared to those with ADHD symptoms alone. Dysregulated and aggressive marital conflict practices might pose additional suicidality risk in children and adolescents with disruptive behavior.