Work Gains and Strains on Father Involvement: The Mediating Role of Parenting Styles.

The balance between work and family demands is one of the main challenges of contemporary parenting. However, most of the research has focused on mothers' perspectives, with fathers' perspectives about the links between work-family activities and father involvement, as well as the role of indirect effects, such as parenting styles, being less explored. This study aims to bridge these gaps by exploring whether work strains or gains are related to father involvement in childcare and the mediating role of parental styles, focusing on fathers' reports. Working, married fathers of preschoolers (n = 411) self-reported about work strains and gains, parental styles, and father involvement. Structural equation modeling, using maximum-likelihood estimation, provided good fit indices. Results of the bootstrap analysis revealed how fathers' gains indirectly increased involvement both in direct and indirect care through positive parental styles. Otherwise, fathers' strains at work had a negative indirect effect on direct care through negative parental styles. Findings contribute to work-family interface by showing how parental styles account for mediating environmental challenges on father involvement.

Father Involvement and Maternal Stress: The Mediating Role of Coparenting.

In recent years mothers have been finding themselves overwhelmed by the need to balance work and maternal duties. Father involvement in childcare has been related to a decrease in mother's burden in childcare. This association is influenced by multiple aspects, such as the way parents share parenting perspectives and views about child rearing, i.e., coparenting. Nevertheless, the mediating role of coparenting on the association between father involvement and maternal stress has been overlooked. This will be addressed by the current study. A total of 254 Portuguese married/cohabiting mothers of preschool children reported on maternal stress, father involvement in caregiving, and coparenting. Data was collected in public and private schools through questionnaires and online through advertisements in social media. Results show that greater father involvement in direct care was associated with greater maternal stress, but this direction changes when mediated by cooperative coparenting. Moreover, results suggest that when mothers perceived less conflict in coparenting, greater father (in)direct care contributed to decreased maternal stress. The current study supports the notion that fathers involvement and parent's cooperation account to mothers' wellbeing, which will improve family dynamics.

Attachment to Mother and Father, Sleep, and Well-Being in Late Middle Childhood.

The security of attachment has been related to several advantageous developmental outcomes, such as good sleep quality and higher well-being indicators. However, few studies concern the associations between attachment dimensions to both parents, sleep, and well-being in late middle childhood. Our study aims to expand knowledge in this area, clarifying the above-mentioned associations by considering the secure base and safe haven dimensions of attachment. We also investigate the role of sleep as a mediator of the relationship between attachment and well-being. The 258 participants (49.2% girls, mean age = 11.19, SD = 0.85) completed self-report questionnaires regarding attachment (KSS), sleep (SSR), and well-being (CHIP-CE). The results show significant associations between attachment to both parents (0.40 ** ≤ r ≤ 0.61 **) and between attachment security, sleep (-0.21 ** ≤ r ≤ -0.35 **) and child well-being (0.42 ** ≤ r ≤ 0.47 **). Besides, sleep quality partially mediated the relations between all attachment dimensions to both parents and well-being. The results are discussed in light of attachment theory, focusing on the comparison between attachment to mother and father as a valid framework to unravel differences in child well-being, with sleep as a process that can help to explain the mechanisms through which attachment security enables subjective perceptions of well-being.

Validez y confiabilidad de la Escala de Involucramiento Parental: Actividades de cuidado y socialización en padres peruanos / Validity and reliability of the Parental Involvement Scale: Caregiving and socialization activities in Peruvian parents

Resumen El presente estudio busca obtener evidencias de validez y confiabilidad de la Escala de Involucramiento Parental: Actividades de cuidado y socialización en una muestra de padres peruanos de niños y niñas preescolares. Para ello, se realizó una traducción y armonización del lenguaje del instrumento a partir de su versión en inglés al español, para luego aplicar la nueva versión a un grupo de 420 padres y 420 madres de niños y niñas de cinco ciudades. La evidencia de la estructura interna se evaluó a través de un análisis factorial confirmatorio multigrupo, utilizando el método de máxima verosimilitud para examinar la estructura de los 26 ítems originales. Durante el análisis, se procedió a la eliminación progresiva de los ítems con bajas cargas factoriales hasta encontrar un modelo con adecuados indicadores de ajuste [x 2(531) = 822.82; p < .001; x 2/gl = 1.550; GFI = .90; CFI = .95; TLI = .94; RMSEA = .036, IC 90 % = (.031-.041), p close = 1.000, SRMR = .05]. El resultado fue una escala de 18 ítems distribuidos en las cinco dimensiones originales, cada una con confiabilidad por consistencia interna alfa de Cronbach entre .66 y .78 y coeficientes omega entre .70 y .75. La confiabilidad entre evaluadores estuvo entre .67 y .88. Los alcances y limitaciones del estudio son discutidos teniendo en cuenta la importancia de contar con instrumentos de medición del involucramiento paterno, relativo al materno, que consideren las perspectivas de padres y madres en el contexto peruano.

Abstract The present study seeks to obtain validity and reliability evidence of the Parental Involvement Scale: Care and socialization activities in a sample of Peruvian parents of preschool children. For this purpose, the instrument was translated and linguistically harmonized from its English version into Spanish and then applied to a group of 420 fathers and 420 mothers of children from five cities. Evidence of the internal structure was evaluated through a multigroup confirmatory factor analysis, using the maximum likelihood method to examine the structure of the original 26 items. Items with low factor loadings were progressively eliminated until a model with adequate fit indicators was found [x 2 (531) = 822.82; p <0,001; x 2 /gl = 1.550; GFI = .90; CFI = .95; TLI = .94; RMSEA = .036, IC del 90% (.031 - .041), p close = 1.000, SRMR = .05]. The result was a18-items scale distributed in the five original dimensions, each with Cronbach's alpha internal consistency reliability between .66 and .78 and Omega coefficients between .70 and .75. Inter-rater reliability was between .67 and .88. The scope and limitations of the study are discussed considering the relevance of having instruments to measure paternal involvement relative to maternal involvement, that consider the perspectives of fathers and mothers in the Peruvian context.

A Systematic Review on Attachment and Sleep at Preschool Age.

Sleep is a biological process that impacts nearly every domain of a child's life. Sleep-wake regulation influences and it is highly influenced by developmental variables related to parent-child relationships, such as attachment. The main goal of the present systematic review is to analyze and integrate the findings of empirical studies investigating the relations between attachment and sleep in preschool age, a period marked by important developmental changes that challenge both attachment system and sleep-wake regulation. A database search was performed using a combination of relevant keywords, leading to the identification of 524 articles, with 19 manuscripts assessed for eligibility; finally, seven studies (2344 children) were included. Overall, the findings were not consistent, with some studies reporting significant associations between attachment security and sleep quality, as well as between attachment insecurity and sleep problems, whereas others did not find significant associations. The results are discussed in light of the available theoretical models and integrated in the context of measurement approaches to attachment and sleep heterogeneity, aiming to guide future research on the topic.

Sociodemographic, sexual, and reproductive variables associated with pregnancy among adolescents from low socioeconomic background.

Adolescent pregnancy remains a public health concern in both developed and developing countries. Portugal and Brazil represent some of the best examples of this phenomenon. The present study aimed to identify sociodemographic, sexual, and reproductive health-related variables associated with adolescent pregnancy among students from low socioeconomic backgrounds in both countries. The sample included 984 female adolescents, among whom 215 became pregnant. Living with a partner and lack of information about sex and contraception from the family were the best explicative factors for pregnancy occurrence in both countries. Country-specific variables were also identified. Our results may contribute to developing global preventive interventions, addressing the school as an ideal setting for primary intervention and considering culture-specific characteristics of high-risk populations.

Classism and dehumanization in chronic pain: A qualitative study of nurses' inferences about women of different socio-economic status.

OBJECTIVES: Class-based dehumanization in health is poorly investigated. Beliefs about social class are often shared across cultures, with people of lower socio-economic status (SES) being typically dehumanized. This study specifically examined how nurses' perceptions of pain patients' SES were associated with (more or less) dehumanizing inferences about their pain and different treatment recommendations. DESIGN: Sequential mixed methods including Similitude Analysis (statistical analysis of qualitative data) and a Thematic Analysis. Fifty female nurses watched short videos of two white women of different SES (low vs. middle) and similar levels of pain behaviours. Afterwards, nurses were asked to complete (1) a Free Association Task (associating characteristics and a profession to the women) and (2) a Story-Completion Task (writing a story describing women's lives, pain, and recommending treatments). Data were analysed with Similitude and Thematic Analysis. RESULTS: The women's SES was recognized, linked to distinct professions, and associated with distinct inferences. The middle-SES woman was depicted with both Uniquely Human (e.g., autonomous) and Human Nature (e.g., communicative) traits, positive future prospects, and competence to self-manage pain. The low-SES woman was associated with Human Nature traits (hard-working) but denied Uniquely Human traits associated with competence; she was imagined as passive towards pain, with poor future prospects and referred to psychoeducation. CONCLUSION: Findings reveal the role of class-based cultural belief systems in pain care, showing how nurses' recognition of low SES is associated with dehumanizing inferences and recommendations, which may contribute to reproducing pain care disparities. Theoretical implications of these findings for social and health psychology are drawn. Statement of contribution What is already known on the subject? • Psychosocial research on health and pain care disparities has paid more attention to the role of race/racism and gender/sexism than the role of social class/classism; Belief systems about social class are shared across cultures; people from lower SES are often dehumanized by being denied competence, civility, and self-determination; Class-based dehumanization may influence the relational and technical aspects of clinical encounters but little is still known about these processes. What does this study add? Drawing upon a mixed-methods approach, this study provides novel findings on class-based dehumanization inferences made by female nurses on female chronic pain patients; Nurses perceived the lower SES patient with fewer Uniquely Human traits, that is, less competent, with more pain-related disability, and recommended her more psychoeducation. Class-based dehumanization processes may contribute to reproducing pain care disparities and may prove to be important targets for intervention development.

Research on Natural Settings: Observing Adolescent Mothers and Infants throughout the First Postpartum Year.

This manuscript aims to present and discuss challenges regarding naturalistic observation of adolescent mothers and their infants throughout the first postpartum year. Case illustrations were the object to discuss methodological options and issues faced during an observational and longitudinal research. The participants live in vulnerability in a metropolitan area in Southern Brazil. Data collection challenges led to reflections about naturalistic observation and methodological procedures, which were affected by setting characteristics and by the need of adapting to them. Most methodological difficulties were linked to naturalistic observations of mothers and their infants. Personal and contextual aspects of these settings must be taken into account in order to enhance result reliability and the knowledge about cultural idiosyncrasies.

Social Support as Moderator of Knowledge about Infant Development in Adolescent Mothers / Apoio Social como Moderador do Conhecimento Infantil em Mães Adolescentes / Apoyo Social como Moderador del Conocimiento sobre el Desarrollo Infantil en Madres Adolescentes

Abstract: Knowledge about child development (KIDI) is an important dimension of infant care. Although it has been discussed that adolescent mothers, compared with adult mothers, reveal lower average of KIDI, little is known about variables associated with it, as well as its variation over time. We aimed to investigate longitudinally KIDI during infant's first year and its interaction with maternal behaviors, social support/ postpartum depression. KIDI was evaluated according to its corrected and wrong answers for each dimension of infant's development. Participants were originally 49 adolescents (16.49 years; SD = 1.58). They answered to KIDI, social support, and maternal depression at pregnancy, 3 (n = 41), 6 (n = 39), and 12 months postpartum (n = 35). Results revealed that KIDI increased during the first year postpartum, qualified with an interaction with social support. Social support plays an important role to increase KIDI, particularly within adolescent mothers living in vulnerable backgrounds.

Resumo: O conhecimento sobre desenvolvimento infantil (CDI) é importante nos cuidados da criança. Embora estudos revelem que mães adolescentes tendem a ter um CDI inferior às adultas, desconhecem-se variáveis associadas à sua variação no decorrer do tempo. O objetivo foi investigar longitudinalmente o CDI em uma amostra de mães adolescentes e sua associação com qualidade do comportamento materno, apoio social e depressão pós-parto. O CDI foi avaliado em termos de acertos e erros nas respostas a diferentes dimensões do desenvolvimento infantil. Originalmente participaram do estudo 49 adolescentes (16.49 anos; DP = 1.58) que responderam ao CDI, apoio social e depressão pós-parto na gravidez, três (n = 41), seis (n = 39) e 12 meses pós-parto (n = 35). Resultados revelaram que o CDI melhorou durante o primeiro ano de vida, qualificado por uma interação com apoio social. O apoio social pode trazer informações às quais, em geral, as mães adolescentes têm menos acesso, particularmente em mães adolescentes que vivem em contextos de vulnerabilidade.

Resumen: El conocimiento sobre el desarrollo infantil (CDI) es una dimensión importante en el cuidado de niños. Aunque los estudios muestran que las madres adolescentes tienden a tener CDI inferior a las adultas, se sabe poco sobre las variables asociadas y su variación en el tiempo. Investigamos longitudinalmente la modificación del CDI en el primer año de vida de niños y la interacción del CDI con calidad de cuidado, apoyo social o depresión posparto. Evaluamos el CDI según los aciertos y errores para cada dimensión del desarrollo infantil. Originalmente participaron 49 adolescentes (16.49 anos; DE = 1.58) que respondieron al CDI, apoyo social y depresión posparto durante el embarazo, tres (n = 41), seis (n = 39) y doce meses (n = 35) posparto. Los resultados indicaron que el CDI mejoró durante el primer año de vida y fue calificado por una interacción con apoyo social. El apoyo social tiene papel importante en el aumento del CDI, particularmente para las madres adolescentes viviendo en situación de vulnerabilidad.

Infant massage improves attitudes toward childbearing, maternal satisfaction and pleasure in parenting.

The first year of motherhood is a period of growth and adaptation in women's lives with several challenges such as identifying the baby's needs and giving appropriate answers, so that mother and baby get to know each other and form a strong bond. Infant massage is one of the approaches that make an important contribution to the psychological and physiological wellbeing of both baby and mother, helping to form a harmonious relationship. This longitudinal study assessed the benefits of infant massage in the relationship between mother and baby, from birth to 12 months old. Comprising 194 dyads of mothers and their babies the subjects were divided into two groups of 97 dyads each. The Experimental group (EG) comprised mothers who undertook infant massage in a postnatal program with a physical therapist once a week. The Control group (CG) comprised mothers who did not attend any postnatal program and did not perform infant massage. Self-reported measures of attitudes concerning motherhood (CAQ-P), experience associated to motherhood (WBPB), parental satisfaction (PSS) and maternal separation anxiety (MSAS) were evaluated. Results showed that mothers in the experimental group were better adapted to motherhood, had greater confidence in their abilities and received more support from their mothers and husbands than mothers in the control group and were therefore more confident in their abilities. The EG group experienced a stronger relationship with their babies and described it as more positive than mothers in the control group. This longitudinal study suggests that mothers who learned how to perform infant massage had more positive attitudes towards the experience of motherhood in helping to increase the level of knowledge, regulation and proximity in the dyad. These findings can in turn help mothers to develop strategies that enable them to better cope with motherhood.

Longitudinal effects of contextual and proximal factors on mother-infant interactions among Brazilian adolescent mothers.

Adolescent mothers often come from vulnerable backgrounds which might impact the quality of both maternal and infant behavior. Despite the negative impact of adolescent motherhood for maternal and infant behavior, social support may decrease the risks and promote maternal behavior toward the infant. The aim of this study was to investigate longitudinally the effects of proximal (maternal behavior) and distal (mother's perceived social support) variables on infant development in a sample of Brazilian adolescent mothers and their infants. Thirty-nine adolescent mothers (Mage=17.26years; SD=1.71) were observed interacting with their infants at 3 and 6 months postpartum and reported on social support. Results revealed that maternal and infant behavior were associated within and across times. Mothers' perceived social support at 3 months had an indirect effect on infant behavior at 6 months, totally mediated by maternal behavior at 6 months. Our findings revealed the mutual influence between maternal and infant behavior, revealing a proximal process. The results also underscored the importance of the passage of time in the interplay between mother-infant interactions and their developmental context.

Fatores associados à gravidez em adolescentes brasileiros de baixa renda / Factors associated with pregnancy among low-income Brazilian adolescents / Factores asociados al embarazo en adolescentes brasileños de baja renta

Este estudo teve por objetivo investigar as características associadas à gravidez durante a adolescência em uma população de adolescentes brasileiros de baixa renda (N = 452) com experiência de gravidez (n = 226) e sem esta experiência (n = 226). A média de idade dos participantes foi de 16,86 anos (DP = 1,35) e 64% eram do sexo feminino. Os resultados da análise multivariada revelaram que a gravidez durante a adolescência se associou a: morar com o companheiro, utilização da pílula, menor idade para iniciação sexual, consumo de bebida alcoólica, e menor divisão das tarefas domésticas na família. A gravidez durante a adolescência tende a surgir perante um conjunto de variáveis que expressam a vulnerabilidade do contexto desenvolvimental do(a) adolescente. Essa poderá ser uma importante informação para intervenções dirigidas para esta população, assim como para trabalhos de prevenção de gravidez durante a adolescência.

This study aimed to assess factors associated with teen pregnancy among low-income Brazilian adolescents (N = 452) with pregnancy experience (n = 226) and without this experience (n = 226). The mean of age of the sample was 16.86 years old (SD = 1.35) and 64% were girls. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that teen pregnancy was associated with: living with the partner; use of oral contraception; lower age of the first sexual intercourse; use of alcoholic drinks; and lesser division of home chores. Teen pregnancy tends to appear when a conjugation of developmental risk variables exists. This information can be important with a view to interventions focused on this population, as well as for teen pregnancy prevention campaigns.

El presente artículo tiene como propósito investigar las características asociadas al embarazo durante la adolescencia en una población de adolescentes brasileños de baja renta (N = 452) con experiencia de embarazo (n = 226) y sin esta experiencia (n = 226). El promedio de edad de los participantes fue de 16,86 años (DE = 1,35) y el 64% era del sexo femenino. Resultados del análisis multivariado revelaron que el embarazo a lo largo de la adolescencia se asoció a: vivir con la pareja; utilización de la píldora anticonceptiva; inicio sexual precoz; consumo de bebidas alcohólicas; y menor división de tareas domésticas en la familia. El embarazo durante la adolescencia tiene tendencia a surgir ante un conjunto de variables que expresan la vulnerabilidad del contexto de desarrollo del adolescente. Esta podrá constituir una importante información para intervenciones dirigidas a la población afectada y un aporte a la prevención del embarazo durante la adolescencia.

A Case-control Study of Factors Associated with HIV Infection on Southern Brazilian Elders / Estudio de casos controles de factores asociados con la infección de VIH en adultos mayores del sur de Brasil

A case-control study assessed factors associated with HIV infection among cases (59 persons aged 50 years or older at HIV diagnosis) and controls (59 self-reported uninfected persons aged 50 years and older) from Southern Brazil. Participants answered a 142-item questionnaire that included queries on demographic characteristics, sexual behavior, substance use, and knowledge about HIV/AIDS. The participants' age ranged from 50 to 87 years and 75.4% were women. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that cases had higher odds of being male, having lower incomes, and reporting STDs. The study reinforces that HIV infection among the population aged 50 years and older is related to demographic characteristics and sexual behavior. Once mainly prevalent among younger persons, HIV/AIDS is now manifesting increasingly in older adults. This indicates the need for health care professionals to not overlook important aspects of older persons' lives. Sexuality, for example, is an important part of the life cycle. It cannot be ignored in this population.

Un estudio de caso-control evaluó factores asociados con la infección por VIH en casos (59 personas mayores de 50 años de edad al momento del diagnóstico del VIH) y controles (59 personas mayores de 50 años de edad, que se reportaron no infectadas por el VIH) de la región Sur de Brasil. Los participantes respondieron un cuestionario de 142 ítems, que incluyó preguntas sobre características socio-demográficas, conducta sexual, uso de sustancias y conocimiento sobre el VIH/SIDA. Los participantes tenían edades entre 50 y 87 años y 75.4% eran mujeres. Un análisis multi variado demostró que los casos tuvieron mayor probabilidad de ser hombres, tener menos ingresos y haber tenido ETSs. Anteriormente había mayor prevalencia de VIH/SIDA entre la población joven, ahora se está manifestando cada vez más en los adultos mayores. Esto indica la necesidad de que los profesionales del cuidado de la salud no subestimen la importancia de ciertos aspectos de la vida de las personas mayores. La sexualidad es, por ejemplo, una parte importante del ciclo de vida. Lo que no puede ser ignorado en esta población.

Fatores associados à gravidez em adolescentes brasileiros de baixa renda / Factors associated with pregnancy among low-income Brazilian adolescents / Factores asociados al embarazo en adolescentes brasileños de baja renta

Este estudo teve por objetivo investigar as características associadas à gravidez durante a adolescência em uma população de adolescentes brasileiros de baixa renda (N = 452) com experiência de gravidez (n = 226) e sem esta experiência (n = 226). A média de idade dos participantes foi de 16,86 anos (DP = 1,35) e 64% eram do sexo feminino. Os resultados da análise multivariada revelaram que a gravidez durante a adolescência se associou a: morar com o companheiro, utilização da pílula, menor idade para iniciação sexual, consumo de bebida alcoólica, e menor divisão das tarefas domésticas na família. A gravidez durante a adolescência tende a surgir perante um conjunto de variáveis que expressam a vulnerabilidade do contexto desenvolvimental do(a) adolescente. Essa poderá ser uma importante informação para intervenções dirigidas para esta população, assim como para trabalhos de prevenção de gravidez durante a adolescência.(AU)

This study aimed to assess factors associated with teen pregnancy among low-income Brazilian adolescents (N = 452) with pregnancy experience (n = 226) and without this experience (n = 226). The mean of age of the sample was 16.86 years old (SD = 1.35) and 64% were girls. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that teen pregnancy was associated with: living with the partner; use of oral contraception; lower age of the first sexual intercourse; use of alcoholic drinks; and lesser division of home chores. Teen pregnancy tends to appear when a conjugation of developmental risk variables exists. This information can be important with a view to interventions focused on this population, as well as for teen pregnancy prevention campaigns.(AU)

El presente artículo tiene como propósito investigar las características asociadas al embarazo durante la adolescencia en una población de adolescentes brasileños de baja renta (N = 452) con experiencia de embarazo (n = 226) y sin esta experiencia (n = 226). El promedio de edad de los participantes fue de 16,86 años (DE = 1,35) y el 64% era del sexo femenino. Resultados del análisis multivariado revelaron que el embarazo a lo largo de la adolescencia se asoció a: vivir con la pareja; utilización de la píldora anticonceptiva; inicio sexual precoz; consumo de bebidas alcohólicas; y menor división de tareas domésticas en la familia. El embarazo durante la adolescencia tiene tendencia a surgir ante un conjunto de variables que expresan la vulnerabilidad del contexto de desarrollo del adolescente. Esta podrá constituir una importante información para intervenciones dirigidas a la población afectada y un aporte a la prevención del embarazo durante la adolescencia.(AU)