The Role of Single Motherhood in America's High Child Poverty.

Many claim a high prevalence of single motherhood plays a significant role in America's high child poverty. Using the Luxembourg Income Study, we compare the "prevalences and penalties" for child poverty across 30 rich democracies and within the United States over time (1979-2019). Several descriptive patterns contradict the importance of single motherhood. The U.S. prevalence of single motherhood is cross-nationally moderate and typical and is historically stable. Also, child poverty and the prevalence of single motherhood have trended in opposite directions in recent decades in the United States. More important than the prevalence of single motherhood, the United States stands out for having the highest penalty across 30 rich democracies. Counterfactual simulations demonstrate that reducing single motherhood would not substantially reduce child poverty. Even if there was zero single motherhood, (1) the United States would not change from having the fourth-highest child poverty rate, (2) the 41-year trend in child poverty would be very similar, and (3) the extreme racial inequalities in child poverty would not decline. Rather than the prevalence of single motherhood, the high penalty for single motherhood and extremely high Black and Latino child poverty rates, which exist regardless of single motherhood, are far more important to America's high child poverty.

Physical inactivity among American single-female caregivers: An analysis of the 2020 behavioral risk factor surveillance system.

BACKGROUND: Many adults in the United States do not reach the recommended levels of activity needed for health benefits. Single-female caregivers present a unique and vulnerable population that is often less active than their partnered peers or single-male caregivers. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this cross-sectional investigation was to identify the prevalence of physical inactivity in single-family, female-led households and determine differences in personal factors and social characteristics between physically active and not physically active single-female caregivers. A secondary objective was to examine associations among the social characteristic variables and physical inactivity in single-female caregiver households. Finally, we examined the odds single-female caregivers who are physically inactive reported chronic health conditions. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey design. METHODS: We used the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. Participants were selected based on pre-determined criteria for inclusion. RESULTS: There was a 39.3% prevalence of physical inactivity among single-female caregivers in the sample. Single-female caregivers who were physically inactive had greater odds of having a history of multiple chronic health conditions. CONCLUSION: Healthcare providers and other community stakeholders should explore existing physical activity promotion strategies to increase physical activity in single-female caregivers. Future research should employ more rigorous, prospective research designs to determine if these chronic conditions and various social characteristics are caused by physical inactivity.

Single mothers by choice - experiences of single women seeking treatment at a public fertility clinic in Denmark: A pilot study.

PROBLEM: There has been an increase in the number of single women deciding to have children through the use of medically assisted reproduction (MAR). These women are referred to as 'single mothers by choice' (SMC). BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown how SMC can feel stigmatised. AIM: Explore if single women seeking fertility treatment in Denmark feel stigmatised. METHODS: Six single women undergoing MAR at a public fertility clinic in Denmark were interviewed. The interviews were audiotaped, anonymised, and transcribed in full, after provided written consent by the participants to take part in the study. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. FINDINGS: The women would have preferred to have a child in a relationship with a partner. Despite their dream of the nuclear family meaning a family group consisting of two parents and their children (one or more), the women choose to become SMC because motherhood was of such importance, and they feared they would otherwise become too old to have children. The participants did not experience stigma or negative responses to their decision, but they all had an awareness of the prejudices other people might have towards SMC. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to the understanding of the experiences of single women seeking fertility treatment in a welfare state where there are no differences in the possibilities for different social classes to seek MAR.

Preparing solo mothers for childbirth and parenthood - The importance of being with like-minded women.

OBJECTIVES: Denmark and many high-income countries have seen an increase in the number of single women getting pregnant through medical assisted reproduction (MAR). These women are also named solo mothers. According to the Danish Health Authorities, they should, as all other pregnant women, be offered antenatal education. The aim of this study was to explore solo mothers' needs in order to prepare them for childbirth and parenthood. METHODS: This qualitative study was set to investigate solo mothers' experiences and requirements during pregnancy toprepare them for childbirth and parenting. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by telephone or face-to-face. A systematic text condensation and interpretation was used to analyse data. RESULTS: 38 interviews were conducted before and after pregnancy. Twenty solo mothers participated in the study. Three themes emerged from the analysis: 'Confrontation with the normative pregnancy', 'Mirroring and network' and 'Using formal and informal sources to gain information'. CONCLUSION: The conventional antenatal packages offered by the healthcare system did not meet the solo mothers' needs. The women called for content and information tailored to single parents. Solo mothers may benefit from structured antenatal classes in small groups. Being with like-minded women was essential for preparing for childbirth and parenting.

The experience of parenting a child with dyslexia - A UK perspective with single parents.

Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that affects the development of literacy and language-related skills, unrelated to intellectual ability. While the impact of parenting an individual with dyslexia (IWD) for married parents has been widely studied, little is known about the impact on single parents. This study explored the lived experiences of single parents of an IWD. Six female participants completed semi-structured interviews discussing their experience of the diagnostic process, support received and general parenting perspectives. Interview transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three main themes were identified: Navigating the diagnosis; Various levels of support; Battling Misconceptions and Lack of Knowledge. Findings suggested that single parents had a mixed experience, both after receiving the diagnosis and in terms of the support they received from family and schools. Differences in the quality of statutory support were highlighted, implicating the need for improved dyslexia support in schools. Unique challenges of parenting an IWD as a single parent were also identified, highlighting important implications. Future research should explore differences in single fathers' experiences and the impact of dyslexia comorbidities on single parents.

Parenting Students and Indicators of Financial Stability, Health, and Academic Success: Findings from a Population-Based Sample of Public Urban University Students.

Parenting students constitute a significant portion of the college population, with 22% of undergraduate students nationwide managing the dual responsibilities of parenthood and education. Single-parenting students face disproportionate challenges to achieving academic success. This study examines the health, financial, and academic aspects of parenting students attending a large, urban public university, specifically comparing single parents to their married or cohabiting counterparts and non-parenting students in New York City. We collected data from 2104 participants, including 142 single parents and 119 married or cohabiting parents, through a cross-sectional survey. Using adjusted regression models, we evaluated the associations between parenting status and financial, health, and academic factors. Our findings reveal that, in comparison to non-parents, single parents are significantly more likely to carry debt (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.81), rely on food assistance (aOR 5.03), and achieve slightly lower GPAs (ß - 0.11). Single parents also work more hours (aOR 1.66) and have an increased likelihood of facing debt (aOR 2.66), housing difficulties (aOR 2.80), food insecurity (aOR 2.21), and lower GPAs (ß - 0.22) compared to their married or cohabiting peers. The disaggregation of single and married or cohabiting parents reveals significant disparities, emphasizing the vulnerability of single-parenting students in higher education. Targeted interventions addressing issues like food security and housing are essential to support the academic success of single parents.

Determinants of unintentional injuries in preschool age children in high-income countries: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Injuries are the leading cause of death and disability in preschool children who are subject to specific risk factors. We sought to clarify the determinants of unintentional injuries in children aged 5 years and under in high-income countries and report on the methodological quality of the selected studies. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted of observational studies investigating determinants of unintentional injury in children aged 0-5. Searches were conducted in Web of Science, Medline, Embase, PsycInfo and CINAHL. All methods of data analysis and reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2021) guidelines. Determinants are reported at the child, parental, household and area level. RESULTS: An initial search revealed 6179 records. Nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria: 17 cohort studies and 2 case control studies. While studies included longitudinal surveys and administrative healthcare data analysis, the highest quality studies examined were case-control designs. Child factors associated with unintentional injury include male gender, age of the child at the time of injury, advanced gross motor score, sleeping problems, birth order, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis and below average score on the standard strengths and difficulties scale. Parental factors associated with unintentional injuries included younger parenthood, poor maternal mental health, hazardous or harmful drinking by an adult within the home, substance misuse, low maternal education, low paternal involvement in childcare and routine and manual socioeconomic classification. Household factors associated with injury were social rented accommodation, single-parent household, White ethnicity in the United Kingdom, number of children in the home and parental perception of a disorganised home environment. Area-level factors associated with injury were area-level deprivation and geographic remoteness. CONCLUSION: Child factors were the strongest risk factors for injury, whereas parental factors were the most consistent. Further research is needed to examine the role of supervision in the relationships between these risk factors and injury. Injury intent should be considered in studies using administrative healthcare data. Prospective research may consider utilising linked survey and administrative data to counter the inherent weaknesses of these research approaches.

[Stressful Living Conditions in Nuclear, Single Parent and Stepfamilies and Use of Prevention Services. Findings of Two Representative German Studies]. / Belastungslagen von Alleinerziehenden-, Stief- und Kernfamilien Inanspruchnahme von Unterstützungsangeboten. Befunde aus zwei repräsentativen deutschen Studien.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Comparison of (stressful) living conditions and use of universal, selective and indicated prevention services in nuclear, single parent and stepfamilies with young children. METHODS: Using two representative German surveys of mothers with children aged 0-3 years (KiD 0-3 2015, n=6,671, and AID:A 2019, n=1,501), mothers' reported burden and the use of various prevention services in different family types were examined descriptively and with Chi²-tests. RESULTS: Overall, single parent families and, to some extent, stepfamilies showed increased socioeconomic stress compared to nuclear families (e. g., young motherhood, higher poverty risk). In particular, universal prevention services (e. g., prenatal classes, parent-child courses) were used less frequently by single parent families, while selective and indicated services such as family or child guidance counselling services and offers of youth welfare agencies were used more frequently. CONCLUSION: Increased socioeconomic stress suggests a higher need for support among single parents compared to nuclear families. Universal group offers are possibly not sufficient to meet these needs, whereas selective individual counselling offers such as pregnancy and child guidance counseling are used more frequently by single parent families and stepfamilies compared to nuclear families. There seems to be a lack of (group) offers tailored to single parent families - particularly in the first developmental phase of a child's life.

Single Parent Adoption: An Indian Perspective.

Adoption is gaining an increasing acceptance in the society, and is also being researched well globally; yet, the concept of single parent adoption (SPA) is viewed with scepticism. Although, it is legally possible for prospective parents to proceed with adoption, there are several barriers which have made SPA a lengthy and arduous process. We present a strong case for SPA, in the absence of adequate research, by citing a basic flaw when fighting for SPA. Comparing SPA with a "two-parent model" is not only unreasonable but also unfair as it deprives a single parent of the pleasures of parenting and also denies the child an opportunity of living in a home outside the confines of an orphanage.

Understanding parents' experiences of care for children with medical complexity in England: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: To understand parents' experiences of receiving care for their child with medical complexity. DESIGN: Qualitative semi-structured interviews with parents of children with medical complexities across England analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: Twenty parents from four hospital sites in England took part in the study, a total of 17 interviews were completed, 3 joint and 14 single parent interviews. Four themes were developed: parents feel abandoned; continuity of care (made up of three subthemes); equipment barriers; and charities fill the gaps. CONCLUSIONS: The perceived quality of healthcare provided to this population was found to be inconsistent, positive examples referred to continuity of care; communication, clinical management and long-lasting relationships. However, many experienced challenges when receiving care for their children; many of these challenges have been highlighted over the past two to three decades but despite the children's needs becoming more complex, little progress appears to have been made. Parents were seen as adopting significant additional roles beyond being a parent, but they still find themselves left without support across all areas. These families require more structured support. Policy makers and commissioners need to prioritise the needs of families to enable health and social care services to provide the support required.

Single parent adoption in India: Mental health and legal perspectives and the way forward.

Single parent adoption (SPA) is a relatively new construct worldwide and in India. The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, has laid down criteria for adoption in general and SPA in particular, in conjunction with the Juvenile Justice Act (Care and Protection of Children), 2015. There is scant literature on this topic of SPA, more so in India, that looks into the various psychological nuances of SPA from a mental health professional's (MHP) perspective. This review paper aims to assess SPA from the perspective of a MHP that will focus on its various legal nuances as well as the psychological connotations attached to it. For this, a search strategy was employed that included a thorough literature search from two databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) with relevant keywords related to the topic. The various legal issues pertaining to SPA in the current scenario, the psychological issues and challenges faced by single parents, the behavioral outcomes of adoptees who are adopted by single parents, and ways to deal with the various obstacles of SPA are discussed.

Challenges of single parents raising children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

BACKGROUND: Single-parent families with children with disabilities need greater attention given the notable increase in their number and their additional difficulties. Single parents in East Asian countries, especially, may face greater risks than their peers elsewhere, given the region's unique cultural background. METHOD: The study used a mixed methods design; we administered a risk assessment survey to 354 families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and conducted in-depth interviews with eight single parents. RESULTS: Compared to two-parent families, single-parent families faced greater risks with respect to family relationships, economic status and legal rights. In the interviews, single parents reported a range of challenges, including sole parental responsibilities, poor physical and mental health, social isolation and alienation, the stress of juggling care and work, and difficulty accessing services. CONCLUSION: These findings offer implications for future policy and practices concerning single parents in South Korea.

Unpacking the linkages between single parent households and early adolescent adjustment.

Living with an unmarried mother is consistently associated with adjustment issues in adolescence, but these associations can vary by both time and place. Following life course theory, this study applied inverse probability of treatment weighting techniques to data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (1979) Children and Young Adults study (n = 5,597) to estimate various treatment effects of family structures through childhood and early adolescence on internalizing and externalizing dimensions of adjustment at age 14. Young people who lived with an unmarried (single or cohabiting) mother during early childhood and adolescence were more likely to drink and reported more depressive symptoms by age 14 than those with a married mother, with particularly strong associations between living with an unmarried mother during early adolescence and drinking. These associations, however, varied according to sociodemographic selection into family structures. They were strongest for youth who more closely resembled the average adolescent living with a married mother.

A invenção de um setting on-line para atendimento psicológico remoto / The invention of an online environment for remote psychological care / La invención de un entorno en línea para la atención psicológica remota

Com o advento da covid-19, foi declarado estado de emergência de saúde pública e decretadas medidas de isolamento e distanciamento social para conter a propagação da doença. O Conselho Federal de Psicologia, considerando a importância do acolhimento seguro durante a pandemia, publicou a Resolução CFP nº 4/2020, permitindo que serviços psicológicos aconteçam de maneira remota. O presente estudo visa, através do Método da Cartografia, apresentar a construção de um setting on-line para intervenções grupais e os desafios na oferta de acolhimento e atendimento remoto. Foram ofertados grupos terapêuticos, por meio da plataforma Google Meet, para estudantes da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro. Um diário de bordo foi produzido para acompanhar as forças que atravessavam e constituíam o território e a experiência grupal remota. Compreendemos que o território-espaço-grupal-on-line era composto pelo espaço virtual em que nos reuníamos, pelos espaços individuais de cada integrante e pelas forças que os atravessavam. Observamos que nem sempre os participantes dispunham de um lugar privado, mas estiveram presentes no encontro com câmeras e áudios abertos e/ou fechados e/ou através do chat da videochamada. A participação no grupo funcionou como alternativa no momento de distanciamento social, sendo uma possibilidade para o atendimento psicológico em situações de dificuldade de encontros presenciais; entretanto, se mostrou dificultada em diversos momentos, pela falta de equipamentos adequados e instabilidade na internet, fatores que interferiram nas reuniões e impactaram na possibilidade de falar e escutar o que era desejado.(AU)

With the advent of COVID-19, a state of public health was declared, and measures of isolation and social distance to contain the spread of the disease was decreed. The Federal Council of Psychology, considering the importance of safe reception during the pandemic, published CFP Resolution No. 4/2020, allowing psychological services to happen remotely. This study narrates, via the Cartography Method, the experience of inventing an Online Setting for group reception. Therapeutic groups were offered, via Google Meet Platform, to students at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro. A logbook was produced to accompany the forces that crossed and constituted the territory and the remote group experience. We understand that the territoryspace-group-online was composed by the virtual-space that we gathered, by the individualspaces of each member and by the forces that crossed them. We observed that the participants did not always have a private place, but they were present at the meeting with open and/or closed cameras and audio and/or through the video call chat. Participation in the group worked as an alternative at the time of social distancing, being a possibility for psychological care in situations of difficulty in face-to-face meetings, however, it proved to be difficult at various times, due to the lack of adequate equipment and instability on the internet, factors that interfered in meetings and impacted the possibility of speaking and listening to what was desired.(AU)

La llegada de la COVID-19 produjo un estado de emergencia de salud pública, en el que se decretaron medidas de confinamiento y distanciamiento físico para contener la propagación de la enfermedad. El Consejo Federal de Psicología, considerando la importancia de la acogida segura durante la pandemia, publicó la Resolución CFP nº 4/2020, por la que se permite la atención psicológica remota. Este estudio tiene por objetivo presentar, mediante el método de la Cartografía, la elaboración de un escenario en línea para la intervención grupal y los desafíos en la oferta de acogida y atención remota. Grupos terapéuticos se ofrecieron, en la plataforma Google Meet, a estudiantes de la Universidad Federal Rural de Río de Janeiro. Se elaboró un diario para acompañar a las fuerzas que atravesaron y constituyeron el territorio y la experiencia remota del grupo. Entendemos que el territorio-espacio-grupo-en línea estaba compuesto por el espacio-virtual que reunimos, por los espacios individuales de cada integrante y por las fuerzas que los atravesaban. Observamos que los participantes no siempre tenían un lugar privado y que estaban presentes en la reunión con cámaras y audio abiertos y/o cerrados y/o por el chat de la videollamada. La participación en el grupo funcionó como una alternativa en el momento del distanciamiento físico y revela ser una posibilidad de atención psicológica en situaciones de dificultad en los encuentros presenciales, sin embargo, se mostró difícil en varios momentos, ya sea por la falta de medios adecuados o por inestabilidad en Internet, factores que interferían en las reuniones e impactaban en la posibilidad de hablar y escuchar lo que se deseaba.(AU)

Percepção de danos físicos, psíquicos e sociais no trabalho de ser mãe universitária / Perception of physical, psychological, and social damages in the work of being college student mothers / Percepción de los daños físicos, sociales y psicológicos en el trabajo de ser madre universitaria

A vida universitária de mulheres mães apresenta questões que precisam ser mediadas quando comparadas com a mesma dinâmica em estudantes que não são mães. O referencial teórico da psicodinâmica do trabalho reconhece o estudar e o maternar como trabalho, pois demandam esforço cognitivo, físico e temporal com finalidade social. O objetivo deste artigo foi avaliar os danos advindos desses dois trabalhos, sobretudo, em suas dimensões física, psicológica e social, na vida de mães universitárias com filhos de até cinco anos de idade. Utilizou-se a metodologia quantitativa com ajuda da aplicação da Escala de Avaliação dos Danos Relacionados ao Trabalho (EADRT), e adaptada para o contexto estudantil e materno. A pesquisa foi respondida por 453 mães universitárias. Dessa forma, foi encontrada uma amostra heterogênea, cujas respostas apontaram para diferenças na percepção dos danos; correlações dos fatores; e associações com as variáveis sociodemográficas. Logo, discute-se a presença de danos físicos, sociais e psicológicos considerados graves para as duas atividades. No entanto, quando as mães universitárias residem com um companheiro ou têm maior renda, os danos sociais e psicológicos se mostraram menores. Com efeito, esta pesquisa ampliou o conhecimento sobre quem são as mães brasileiras na graduação e que tipo/grau de danos à saúde elas vivenciam, destacando que o acúmulo dos dois papéis acarreta níveis críticos que podem ser atenuados pelo apoio familiar e pela assistência às questões de vulnerabilidade econômica. Por fim, reforça-se a preocupação em analisar cientificamente essas realidades, servindo de embasamento para políticas públicas e estratégias futuras de intervenção.(AU)

The student life of college mothers shows complementary issues that need to be evaluated when compared with the same dynamic in students that are not mothers. The theoretical framework of the psychodynamics of work recognizes studying and mothering occupations as work activities, since they demand cognitive, physical, and temporal effort with a social purpose. The aim of this article was to assess the damage arising from these two workloads, especially, in their physical, psychological, and social dimensions, to the lives of women undergraduate students who have children up to five years old. We used a quantitative methodology with the application of the Work-Related Damage Assessment Scale (EADRT), adapted to the university and maternity context. The scale was answered by 453 college student mothers. Thus, we found a heterogeneous sample, whose answers pointed to variations in the perception of damage; correlations between factors; and connections with the socio demographic variables. Therefore, we discuss the presence of physical, social, and psychological damages considered severe for both activities. However, when the student mothers live with a partner or have a higher income, the social and psychological damage are lesser. In conclusion, this study expanded the knowledge about who are the Brazilian undergraduate student mothers and the type/degree of damages to their health they experienced, highlighting that the build-up of the two roles leads to critical levels that can be mitigated by family support and by assistance to issues concerning economic vulnerability. Finally, the importance to scientifically analyze these realities, serving as foundation for public policies and future intervention strategies, is reinforced.(AU)

La vida universitaria de madres tienen demandas diferentes que necesitan discusión en la comparación con la vida universitaria de mujeres que no son madres. El marco teórico de la psicodinámica de trabajo reconoce el papel de madre y de estudiante como trabajos, ya que para hacerlos se requiere esfuerzo cognitivo, físico y temporal, con finalidad social. El objetivo de este estudio es avaliar los daños que acompañan estos dos trabajos en sus dimensiones física, psicológica y social, en la vida de mujeres brasileñas estudiantes de grado que tienen hijos de hasta 5 años de edad. Se utilizó la metodología cuantitativa a partir de la aplicación de la Escala de Evaluación de Daños Relacionados al Trabajo (EADRT), adaptada al contexto estudiantil y de maternidad. La encuesta fue respondida por 453 madres universitarias. Como resultado, se encontró una muestra heterogénea, con diferencias entre la percepción de daños, correlaciones entre los factores y asociaciones entre los daños y variables sociodemográficas. Se discute la presencia de daños físicos, sociales y psicológicos considerados graves para los dos papeles. Sin embargo, cuando las madres universitarias viven con un compañero o tienen ingresos más grandes, los daños sociales y psicológicos son menores. Se concluye que este estudio permitió ampliar el conocimiento acerca de las madres brasileñas en el grado y qué tipo/nivel de los daños a la salud tienen, que destaca que la acumulación de los papeles genera niveles críticos que pueden ser mitigados por el apoyo familiar y asistencia en cuestiones de vulnerabilidad económica. Se destaca la preocupación por analizar científicamente las realidades de madres universitarias, sirviendo de base para políticas públicas y estrategias de intervenciones futuras.(AU)

O inventário de envolvimento paterno revisado: inclusão de pais com filhos pré-escolares / The inventory of father involvement revised: inclusion of fathers with preschool children / El inventario de envolvimiento paterno revisado: inclusión de padres de preescolares

Apesar da importância do envolvimento paterno, sua avaliação persiste desafiadora. No Brasil, o Inventário de Envolvimento Paterno (IFI-BR) vem se mostrando adequado para uso com pais de crianças de 5 a 10 anos. Entretanto, do ponto de vista do desenvolvimento infantil e de intervenções preventivas, seria importante avaliar o envolvimento paterno quando as crianças são mais novas. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivos: identificar limitações do IFI-BR, quando usado com pais de crianças entre 2 e 10 anos, e avaliar itens para o IFI-BR-revisado. No Estudo 1, 434 pais com filhos no Ensino Infantil ou Fundamental 1 responderam a um questionário sociodemográfico e ao IFI-BR. Com base em análises de dados omissos, estrutura interna e precisão, modificações foram sugeridas, visando à manutenção da estrutura interna original do instrumento. No Estudo 2, 572 pais com filhos na mesma faixa etária responderam a um questionário sociodemográfico e à versão modificada do IFI-BR. Foram comparadas as frequências de dados omissos e estimativas de precisão para os itens originais e modificados, selecionando aqueles que melhor representavam essa amostra de pais para compor a versão revisada do IFI-BR. Esses resultados indicaram evidências adequadas de validade, com base no conteúdo da versão revisada do IFI-BR, quando utilizada para avaliar a qualidade do envolvimento paterno de pais brasileiros com filhos do Ensino Infantil ao Fundamental 1. Após verificadas evidências de validade adicionais, essa versão revisada do IFI-BR poderá ser utilizada, por exemplo, em estudos longitudinais e na avaliação de intervenções precoces com pais.(AU)

Despite the importance assigned to father involvement, evaluating this construct remains a challenge. In Brazil, the Inventário de Envolvimento Paterno (IFI-BR) has showed satisfactory evidence of validity for fathers of children between 5 and 10 years old. From the perspective of child development and preventive interventions, however, evaluating father involvement with younger children is essential. Hence, this study sought to: identify limitations of the IFI-BR for fathers of children between 2 and 10 years old, and evaluate items for a revised IFI-BR. In Study 1, 434 fathers of children in early childhood and primary school settings answered a sociodemographic questionnaire and the IFI-BR. Based on analyses of missing data, internal structure, and reliability, modifications were suggested to maintain the original internal structure. In Study 2, 572 fathers of children in the same age range answered a sociodemographic questionnaire and the modified IFI-BR. After comparison between values for missing data and reliability of the original and modified items, the items that best represented the broader sample of fathers were selected to compose the revised IFI-BR. Results indicated adequate evidence of content validity for the revised IFI-BR when used to assess the involvement of Brazilian fathers with children in early childhood education and primary school settings. After additional evidence has been verified, this revised IFI-BR can be used, for example, in longitudinal studies and to evaluate early interventions with fathers.(AU)

La participación paterna es importante, pero su evaluación sigue siendo desafiadora. En Brasil, el Inventário de Envolvimento Paterno (IFI-BR) demuestra ser adecuado para aplicar a padres de niños de 5 a 10 años de edad. No obstante, desde la perspectiva del desarrollo infantil y de las intervenciones preventivas, sería importante evaluar la participación de los padres de niños más jóvenes. Este estudio tuvo como objetivos: identificar limitaciones del IFI-BR cuando se aplica a padres de niños entre los 2 y 10 años y evaluar ítems para el IFI-BR-revisado. En Estudio 1, 434 padres con hijos en el jardín de infantes o escuela primaria respondieron un cuestionario sociodemográfico y el IFI-BR. Con base en el análisis de datos faltantes, estructura interna y exactitud, se sugirieron modificaciones para mantener la estructura interna original del instrumento. En Estudio 2, 572 padres respondieron un cuestionario sociodemográfico y la versión modificada del IFI-BR. Se compararon las frecuencias de datos faltantes y estimaciones de exactitud para los ítems originales y modificados, seleccionando aquellos que representaban mejor a esta muestra de padres para la versión revisada del IFI-BR. Estos resultados indicaron evidencia adecuada de validez, basada en el contenido de la versión revisada del IFI-BR, cuando se utilizó para evaluar la calidad de la participación de padres brasileños con niños en el jardín de infantes y en la escuela primaria. Después de verificada la evidencia adicional de validez, la versión revisada del IFI-BR se puede utilizar, por ejemplo, en estudios longitudinales y en la evaluación de intervenciones precoz con los padres.(AU)

Neighborhood satisfaction and reproductive status.

Both urban planners and urban scholars have been keenly interested in identifying the characteristics associated with neighborhood satisfaction. One robust but surprising pattern is that the presence or number of children in a household has no effect on neighborhood satisfaction. To clarify this pattern, we measured the neighborhood satisfaction of a representative sample of 1,000 Michigan adults, whom we divided into six distinct reproductive statuses: co-parents, single-parents, empty nesters, not-yet-parents, childless individuals, and childfree individuals. We found that a simple parent vs. non-parent dichotomy hides significant heterogeneity among these groups. Specifically, we found that single parents and childfree individuals experience significantly less neighborhood satisfaction than other groups. We conclude by reflecting on the methodological and practical implications of differences in neighborhood satisfaction when more nuanced reproductive statuses are considered.

Solo Fathers and Mothers: An Exploration of Well-Being, Social Support and Social Approval.

Research has begun to explore the experiences of single mothers by choice who choose to start a family alone and do so using donated gametes. However, very little is known about the experiences of single fathers by choice, and even less is known about how their experiences might compare to mothers in the same position. This exploratory study of single mothers (n = 19) and fathers (n = 17) by choice examined mental health and social support among mothers who used sperm donation, and fathers who used egg donation and surrogacy, to become parents. Data relating to their reasoning for pursuing solo parenthood, mental health, and social support were analyzed quantitatively. To further explore fathers' experiences of being a solo parent, a thematic analysis was conducted exploring their descriptions of social responses to their family type. Regarding parental mental health, no statistically significant differences were found between mothers and fathers, and both groups of parents had sought out supportive networks, both before becoming a parent, and as a single parent. Fathers' responses indicated that they received both supportive and negative reactions, although they generally perceived the majority of interactions to be positive. However, frequent references made by members of the public, or by the media, to their family type being new or different served to reproduce social scripts about normative family types. The study findings, despite the small sample size, contribute to a new understanding of the well-being and experiences of both mothers and fathers who choose to start their family and parent alone.

Diversidad familiar en el full time laboral. Reflexiones sobre la serie New Amsterdam / Family Diversity in Full Time Work Reflections on the New Amsterdam series

El presente escrito entrecruza la ficción con la vida cotidiana, en el encuentro con lo no tradicional de las configuraciones familiares y el trabajo de tiempo completo, con jornadas laborales extensas. Ambas situaciones se encuentran e influyen mutuamente en la vida cotidiana. La serie New Amsterdam es el punto disparador para analizar las diversas circunstancias por las que atraviesan estas personas y sus familias. Familias, en este caso, diversas, constituidas por fuera de la norma pero que se ven afectadas por los mismos dilemas que atraviesan quienes planifican este proyecto. La ficción nos permite ver algo de este sentir y vivir en privado por medio de los personajes. Se toma para el análisis, al psicólogo del hospital, Iggy con su familia homoparental, y Helen, médica oncóloga, decidiendo ser madre soltera por elección. Este escrito tiene por fin tratar de comprender y empatizar con quienes, por diversos motivos, se embarcan en el camino de formar familias diversas y enfrentarse al encuentro con sus propias verdades

This document blends fiction with daily life. It includes the encounter of the non-traditional areas of the family structure and the full-time work with extensive working hours. These two merge and influence each other in daily life. New Amsterdam tv show is the trigger point to analyze the various circumstances that people and their families go through. In this case, these families are diverse, constituted outside the norm, and affected by the same dilemmas that go through those who plan this project. Fiction allows us to see some of their feelings and live through the characters privately. The subjects of this analysis are the hospital psychologist, Iggy who has a homoparental family, and Helen, the oncologist who decides by her choose to be a single mother. The intention of this paper is to try to understand and empathize with those who, for various reasons, embark on the path of forming diverse families and facing the encounter with their own truths.