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Prospective gay fathers must carefully prepare, plan, and think about parenting—often for years—before they become parents. This article explores how different paths to parenthood provide opportunities for Canadian gay men to reflect upon their preferences for surrogacy or adoption, the meaning of fatherhood in the absence of a woman as a primary caregiver, and the opportunities and potential shortcomings of gay fatherhood. Based on analysis of 23 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with Canadian prospective gay fathers, I show that adoption and surrogacy foster different degrees of reflection along the journey to fatherhood. I argue that gay men who pursue surrogacy express masculine competence and draw upon scripts of conventional fatherhood, while gay men who pursue adoption experience a disruption in their masculine competence and must reflect on their potential inadequacies as male parents. Further, I include a brief discussion of some counterevidence: these pressures on the journey to gay fatherhood can be resisted through a queer, anti-racist, and feminist consciousness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored specificity in the associations between early poverty and preschoolers' behavioral and attentional regulation. In particular, there was an emphasis on delineating contextual factors (i.e., material hardship and household chaos) and parenting processes (i.e., maternal aggravation and maternal acceptance) as sequential mechanisms. The sample included 2850 families from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Results suggested that early poverty in infancy (age one) was associated with behavioral regulation and attentional regulation in preschool years (age five). Material hardship mediated the link between early poverty and behavioral regulation, while household chaos mediated the link between early poverty and attentional regulation. Additionally, maternal aggravation mediated the association between material hardship and behavioral regulation, while maternal acceptance mediated the associations between household chaos and attentional and behavioral regulation. Findings informed targeted interventions to alleviate hardship and chaos and promote positive parenting practices to bolster children's self-regulation. Highlights: Early poverty in infancy was associated with preschoolers' behavioral regulation and attentional regulation. Material hardship mediated the link between early poverty and behavioral regulation. Household chaos mediated the link between early poverty and attentional regulation. Maternal aggravation mediated the association between material hardship and behavioral regulation. Maternal acceptance mediated the associations between household chaos and attentional and behavioral regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safety behaviors attenuate the effects of exposure therapy. Less is known about how safety behaviors interact with parenting behaviors in relation to anxious children's fear responses. We examined if child safety behaviors interact with maternal punitive responses to explain unique variance in children's fear downregulation—defined as self-reported reduction of anxious arousal—during an anxiety-provoking task. Anxious children ages 8–12 (N = 105; 57.1% female; 61.9% racial minority) completed a diagnostic interview and structured speech task. Mothers reported how often they responded punitively to children's negative emotions. Independent observers coded child safety behaviors used during the speech, and a fear downregulation score was computed per child by subtracting post-speech fear scores from pre-speech fear scores. The interaction between child safety behaviors and maternal punitive responses predicted unique variance in subjective fear downregulation, such that increased use of safety behaviors during the speech task was associated with more difficulties downregulating subjective fear only among children whose mothers reported moderate and high use of punitive responses. Maternal punitive responses to children's negative emotions may promote child safety behavior use to avoid anxiety, resulting in greater difficulties downregulating fear. Our findings provide preliminary evidence for targeting child safety behaviors and parenting behaviors during child anxiety treatment. Highlights: Higher child safety behaviors were associated with more difficulty downregulating fear. Higher maternal punitive responses were associated with more difficulty downregulating fear. Maternal punitive responses interacted with safety behaviors to predict fear downregulation. Parental emotion socialization practices may be important treatment targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research on parent‒child relationships has focused more extensively on younger, school-aged children and adolescents, with mothers receiving more attention than fathers. In addition, there has been a greater focus on problematic parenting (e.g., helicopter parenting) and less research on supportive forms of parenting that can promote positive outcomes during emerging adulthood. The current study utilized the framework of self-determination theory to examine the association between positive parenting and well-being in a sample of emerging adults. Specifically, we examined the associations between positive maternal and paternal parenting approaches and emerging adults' basic psychological needs and well-being, with a focus on emerging adults of diverse ethnicities. Our primary hypotheses were that positive parenting would have significant: (a) direct associations with emerging adults' basic psychological needs and (b) indirect associations with emerging adults' well-being through their basic psychological needs. The participants were 1209 emerging adults aged 18–22 years (M = 19.27; SD = 1.53). The results revealed that parenting had significant positive direct effects on emerging adults' basic psychological needs and indirect associations with their well-being. These findings suggest that positive parenting continues to play an important role in emerging adulthood and highlight the need to work with emerging adults and their parents to establish strategies to support positive parenting that meet psychological needs during this time of life. Highlights: Mothers and fathers make significant and unique contributions to emerging adults' basic psychological needs. Among a diverse sample of emerging adults in North America, the satisfaction of emerging adults' basic psychological needs, including the positive contributions of both mothers and fathers, is important to their well-being and satisfaction with life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify factors that affect the health behaviors of married immigrant women and Korean husbands towards their young children. Our cross-sectional descriptive study included 169 married immigrant women and 143 Korean husbands. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires and analyzed using multiple regression, with SPSS/Win 23.0 software. The significant differences between married immigrant women and Korean husbands included parental health behavior towards young children (t = 4.66, p < 0.001), parenting efficacy (t = 3.73, p < 0.001), intercultural adaptation attitudes (t = 4.94, p < 0.001) and family strength (t = 2.52, p = 0.012). Parental health behavior was significantly positively correlated with parenting efficacy, intercultural adaptation attitudes, and family strength, in both married immigrant women and Korean husbands. A multiple regression analysis showed that the factors affecting parental health behavior in married immigrant women were family strength (β = 0.31, p < 0.001) and intercultural adaptation attitudes (β = 0.25, p = 0.002), whereas factors affecting Korean husbands were family strength (β = 0.36, p < 0.001) and parenting efficacy (β = 0.19, p = 0.046). Specifically, the factors that most influenced parental health behavior was family strength, for both married immigrant women and Korean husbands. Considering the results of this study, a family-focused approach is necessary to promote parental health behaviors toward young children in multicultural families. Furthermore, intervention strategies should be implemented to support the intercultural adaptation attitudes of parents in multicultural families and improve the parenting of Korean husbands. Highlights: Individual and family factors influencing intercultural couples' health behaviors towards young children should be considered. Family strength was a significant influencing factor on parental health behavior in both parents. For married immigrant women, intercultural adaptation attitudes affected their health-promoting behaviors, but not parenting self-efficacy. For Korean husbands, parenting self-efficacy affected their health-promoting behaviors, but not intercultural adaptation attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior studies show a heightened risk of child maltreatment during the COVID-19 pandemic because of financial difficulties and parenting stress, but little is known about what happened to the veteran families. This study aimed to examine the influences of the COVID-19 pandemic on veteran parents' harsh parenting – creating a potential for child maltreatment. Further, we explored the potential moderating effects of parental PTSD and parental role on the association between COVID-19 impacts and veteran harsh parenting. We recruited 509 veteran parents from Qualtrics online research panel and assessed the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., perceived threat, financial and psychological impacts) on the participants, parental PTSD, and parents' past year prevalence of corporal punishment and psychological aggression. We used Mplus 8.8 to build main models, two-way moderation models, and three-way moderation models. There was a significant association between COVID-19 pandemic impacts and harsh parenting (Corporal punishment: β = 0.09, p < 0.05; Psychological aggression: β = 0.10, p < 0.05), while parental PTSD was a significant moderator (Corporal punishment: β = 0.10, p < 0.05; Psychological aggression: β = 0.08, p < 0.05). Parents with higher levels of PTSD were more vulnerable to the negative influences of COVID-19 on their harsh parenting. However, the association between COVID-19 pandemic impacts and harsh parenting did not differ by parental role. Our study findings contribute to the current knowledge of veteran families during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide implications for both Veteran Affairs services and child protective services. Highlights: Veteran parents are especially vulnerable during the pandemic because their military experiences have already profoundly affected their behavioral health, such as PTSD. We examined the influences of the COVID-19 pandemic on veteran parents' harsh parenting. Veteran parents with higher levels of PTSD were more vulnerable to the negative influences of COVID-19 on their harsh parenting. Veteran fathers endorsed more corporal punishment than veteran mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the association between COVID-19 pandemic impacts and harsh parenting did not differ by parental role. Research with a large survey data needs to be conducted to explain gender difference in harsh parenting during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavior problems are common among young autistic children and are related to elevated parenting stress levels among their caregivers. However, previous studies of this population have rarely examined relations between child behavior problems and parenting stress at a daily level and, to date, have not examined how these relations may differ for Latino families. Using a day-to-day, within-person design, this study bidirectionally examined these temporal relations among 70 families of autistic children (ages 3–5 years, 74.3% male, 49% Latino parents) who participated in a 14-day daily-diary study. Parent-reported child behavior problem severity and parenting stress were measured daily. Constructs were partitioned into their between- and within-person components and analyzed using time-lagged MLM models. At the between-person level, greater reported child behavior problem severity, relative to the group average, was positively associated with next-day parenting stress and vice versa. This relationship was moderated by Latino ethnicity, such that the positive relationship between reported child behavior problem severity and next-day parenting stress was weaker for Latino (versus non-Latino) families. These bidirectional relationships differed at the within-person level, such that, unexpectedly, greater-than-usual parenting stress, compared to parents' own average, was negatively associated with next-day child behavior severity. Findings underscore the value of using daily diary methodology to decompose between- and within-person effects, and reveal potential intervention targets to improve parent and child functioning, particularly among minoritized families of autistic children. Highlights: This study examined daily within-person changes in parenting stress and behavior problems in Latino and non-Latino families of autistic children. Parent-reported child behavior problem severity and parenting stress were positively and bidirectionally associated at the between-person level. The effect of child behavior problem severity on next-day parenting stress was weaker among Latino (vs. non-Latino) families. Surprisingly, at the within-person level, higher parenting stress than usual, relative to one's own average, was related to fewer reported next-day child behavior problems. Findings underscore the importance of using daily diary methodology to decompose between- and within-person effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Home visiting programs are an evidence-based approach to reducing adversity exposure and promoting well-being in children experiencing high-risk factors. Despite decades of research demonstrating the benefits of these programs, barriers continue to impact enrollment, engagement, and retention over time. The present qualitative study explored home visiting providers' perceptions of the behaviors they use to promote enrollment and engagement and reduced attrition for families. Twenty-one providers of three home visiting models (Nurse-Family Partnership, Parents as Teachers, and SafeCare) completed in-depth, semi-structured interviews to probe into provider behaviors that might improve program outcomes. Qualitative data analysis of interviews was conducted using NVivo software with a template approach used to identify broad themes. Findings indicated differences in provider behaviors across enrollment (provider approach and outreach), engagement (provider support and communication), and retention (provider sharing resources and setting goals). Across all three, providers emphasized the importance of building rapport. Implications suggest that workforce structure and training include behavioral strategies to improve enrollment, engagement, and retention in programs to promote program and familial success. Highlights: Provider approach and outreach are related to the promotion of enrollment in home visiting programs focused on families experiencing high-risk factors. Provider support and communication promote the engagement of families in home visiting programs. Sharing resources and setting goals with families were strategies reported by providers to promote the retention of families in home visiting programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although parental psychological control has been found to be detrimental to children's psychological functioning, less is known about the role of internal and external maternal and paternal psychological control in preschoolers' socio-emotional development. In this cross-sectional, multi-informant study, we rely on the self-determination theory to examine the relations between internal (i.e., guilt induction) and external (i.e., constraining verbal expressions and erratic emotional behavior) mother-reported and father-reported psychological control and preschoolers' (N = 136; 51.5% males; Mage = 5.53, SD = 0.66 years) externalizing symptoms, internalizing symptoms, and social competence, as reported by their teachers. Regression analyses revealed unique relations between internal and external psychological control and preschoolers' social-emotional adjustment. While external psychological control related negatively to preschoolers' social competence and positively to anger-aggression, internal psychological control emerged as the unique predictor of anxiety-withdrawal. Importantly, the results indicated that these findings were consistent for both mothers and fathers. Our findings suggest that parental internal and external psychological control differentially relate to children's socio-emotional adjustment in early childhood. Highlights: This study distinguished between internal and external parental psychological control and examined their unique relations with preschoolers' socio-emotional adjustment. Maternal and paternal internal and external psychological control differed in their relations with children's socio-emotional functioning. The present findings add to recent research drawing attention to the need for investigating parental psychological control in a multidimensional fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental well-being has implications for child outcomes and child well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed substantial psychological distress on parents especially those from under-resourced backgrounds who also have young children. Most of the available studies have used surveys to understand the impact of COVID-19 on parents' well-being with only a few of those studies looking at parents with children below five years from under-resourced backgrounds. We explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being of 118 parents from under-resourced communities using qualitative methods. Through thematic analysis, we identified eight themes related to the impact of COVID-19: (1) Losing child care and taking teaching/care responsibility, (2) new rules and routines, (3) loss of basic needs, (4) fear of the virus, (5) loss of social support, (6) loss of jobs, (7) deeper connections, and (8) enhanced hygiene. We also identified four themes related to how parents coped with the impacts of the pandemic: (i) engaging in hobbies; (ii) making plans; (iii) accepting, and (iv) avoiding arguments. Implications include supporting parents' autonomy and providing flexibility at work, developing and tailoring mindfulness and stress reduction interventions to support parents' self-compassion and psychological flexibility skills, preparing lesson samples and helping parents role play to support their self-efficacy in teaching children, and prioritizing keeping child care settings open. Highlights: Loss of child care significantly contributed to parents' psychological distress. Parents experienced low self-efficacy in teaching their children. Parents lost jobs and their partners took more hours to compensate for the lost income which affected their relationships with children. Parents coped by participating in hobbies, accepting, engaging in proactive coping mechanism, and avoiding arguments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High levels of stress experienced in the parental role can lead to parental burnout, a condition with severe consequences for both parents and children. Researchers have begun to document the antecedents of parental burnout, focusing primarily on risk factors. However, little is known about resources that prevent parents from developing parental burnout. Based on identity literature and self-determination theory, the purpose of this study was to examine both the unique and interacting roles of two psychological resources potentially protecting parents against parental burnout, that is, parental identity and psychological need satisfaction. A total of 450 parents (63.8% mothers, M age = 36.53) completed online questionnaires on parental identity, psychological need satisfaction, and parental burnout. Results showed that parents' ruminative exploration of identity was related to more parental burnout. Using a bifactor model for psychological need satisfaction, in which general need satisfaction was distinguished from the three specific needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness), we found that autonomy satisfaction and general need satisfaction in particular were related to less parental burnout. Regarding the interplay of parental identity and psychological need satisfaction, we found systematic evidence for a moderating role, with the presence of one resource buffering the absence of the other resource. Overall, findings suggest that both parental identity and psychological need satisfaction serve as sources of resilience and may be interesting targets in prevention and intervention programs supporting parents at risk for parental burnout. Highlights: This study examined parental identity and psychological need satisfaction as two resources protecting against parental burnout. For psychological need satisfaction, a bifactor approach was used, distinguishing a general need satisfaction factor from three specific needs. Whereas psychological need satisfaction was related to lower levels of parental burnout, ruminative exploration of identity was related to more parental burnout. We found systematic evidence for moderation, with the presence of one resource buffering the absence of the other resource. Both parental identity and parents' psychological need satisfaction could be interesting targets for prevention and counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate digital technology (DT) perceptions and usage among 3–6-year-old Turkish children. Children (N = 293) were asked to imagine themselves using DT, draw pictures of what they imagine, and narrate their drawings. They then were interviewed about their DT use. Parents (N = 293) also participated via a questionnaire addressing the digital environment, screen time (ST), and parental mediation (PM) of children's technology use. Using a mixed-method approach, qualitative data were subjected to content analysis and converted to quantitative data. The quantitative analysis involved Kruskal–Wallis H, Mann–Whitney U, Spearman's rho, and Chi-square tests. Findings indicated children may have limited perception regarding the usage alternatives of DTs, no significant difference between the purpose of DT use in drawings in terms of gender, an average ST of three hours among children, a moderate positive correlation between children's and parents' ST, and children primarily engaging in watching and playing activities. While children's ST did not differ according to age, it varied significantly according to the parents' educational levels. According to the rating systems, children are exposed to games and content that are not age-appropriate. Parents mainly mediate their children's DT usage by limiting ST and accompanying children's screen use. The study includes implications and suggestions for parents, educators and schools, community, content developers, digital platforms, and researchers working on this subject to work collaboratively to ensure that young children use digital technologies interactively, supporting development and education, and in age-appropriate, creative usage alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents of racialized children and children with disabilities experience a unique set of challenges and stressors in their parenting role. Many studies now exist focusing on parenting during the pandemic. Yet, there is a need for more research examining how parenting during COVID is complicated for minority parents who have a child with a disability. For this project, we used the Crowdsourcing: Impacts of COVID-19 on Canadians-Parenting During the Pandemic, 2020 dataset. Data in this national survey was collected from June 9 to June 22, 2020 (Statistics Canada, 2020a). We specifically examined how parenting at least one child with a disability intersected with being a racialized mother. After applying benchmarking and restrictions, the sample of 12,624 analyzed in this study consists non-Indigenous mothers with children either preschool age (0–5) or school age (6–14). The highest rates, across a broad range of concerns for children and family were reported by racialized mothers who also reported having child(ren) with a disability. Parents with only preschool children were less concerned for children but reported slightly higher levels of family concerns. A series of interactional analyses further revealed intersectional impacts on concerns between racialized mothers, parenting a child with a disability, and the age of the child. This study emphasizes the importance of intersectional considerations during the early pandemic relating to parenting for racialized mothers of children with disabilities. Societal implications, measurement/sample/analysis limitations, and policy implications are considered. Highlights: Racialized mothers (visible minorities) with at least one child with a disability experienced significantly higher parenting concerns for children and family during the COVID-19 pandemic than other groups. Parents of preschool-age children had lower parenting concerns than parents of school-age children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding unique stressors experienced by racialized mothers with children with disabilities may provide opportunities for better community and service supports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taking coparenting into consideration is essential when assessing children and their relational environment, regardless of the family structure. This paper presents three studies we conducted with the aim of developing and validating a reliable instrument for the assessment of coparenting in Spanish. The first study consisted of developing the items to be included in the assessment tool and evaluation of this content by a panel of nine experts. In the second study, we explored both the psychometric properties and the factorial structure of the prototype instrument using a sample of 251 participants. The third study confirmed the factorial structure and tested measurement invariance, the reliability, and convergent and discriminant evidence of our tool in a general population sample of 312 participants. We obtained a 15-item unidimensional questionnaire, the Questionnaire for the Assessment of Coparenting (CECOP), with very good psychometric properties: excellent internal consistency with α of 0.97 and supported validity with the selected conceptually related metrics; convergent validity with the Instrument for the Assessment of Adaptation to Divorce–Separation's (CADS) coparenting dimension and Questionnaire on Perceived Support from the Former Partner (CARE); and divergent validity with parenting and dyadic adjustment. Furthermore, the results in terms of measurement invariance across family structures and sex allowed us to assume the configural invariance between the groups. However, it was not possible to assume metric invariance. Finally, we also provide normative scores for its interpretation. The CECOP shows excellent psychometric properties and can be considered the first questionnaire in Spanish that assesses coparenting in any family structure, which also includes the triadic conceptualization of coparenting, providing valuable information on the relational environment in which children and adolescence live. Highlights: The CECOP is the first instrument in Spanish that assesses coparenting across different family structures. The CECOP is a valid and reliable unidimensional Spanish-language self-report instrument to assess coparenting. This clinical assessment of coparenting, aimed at parents that have a child in common, is able to examine how they work together as parents while providing information regarding the relational environment in which children live. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for post-adoption support is critical; however, access or availability of competent support is limited. By conducting a scoping review, this study's purpose was to strengthen the understanding of historic and current post-adoption support. The literature search identified 540 articles. After analysis, 27 studies met the eligibility criteria for review. Extracted themes from the review included target population and setting, goals and purpose of service provision, description of service provision, and outcomes. Services were primarily focused on families, provided in a multi-service delivery context or with specific targeted interventions or populations focusing on strengthening family connections and preventing discontinuity. Studies assessing outcomes, while mostly lacking rigorous evaluation methods, proved to be positive. The review also highlighted the need for increased publication in existing programming or intervention utilizing rigorous methods as well as competency evaluation, exploring capacity-building strategies to increase current support, and analyzing and removing barriers connected to availability and accessibility for support available to assist adoptees and their families more effectively throughout the adoption life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Sensitivity to Threat and Affiliative Reward (STAR) model proposes low threat sensitivity and low affiliation as risk factors for callous‐unemotional (CU) traits. Preliminary evidence for the STAR model comes from work in early childhood. However, studies are needed that explore the STAR dimensions in late childhood and adolescence when severe conduct problems (CP) emerge. Moreover, it is unclear how variability across the full spectrum of threat sensitivity and affiliation gives rise to different forms of psychopathology beyond CU traits. Methods: The current study addressed these gaps using parent‐ and child‐reported data from three waves and a sub‐study of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study® of 11,878 youth (48% female; ages 9–12). Results: Consistent with the STAR model, low threat sensitivity and low affiliation were independently related to CU traits across informants and time. Moreover, there was significant interaction between the STAR dimensions, such that children with lower sensitivity to threat and lower affiliation had higher parent‐reported CU traits. Unlike CU traits, children with higher threat sensitivity had higher parent‐reported CP and anxiety. Finally, children with lower affiliation had higher parent‐reported CP, anxiety, and depression. Results largely replicated across informants and time, and sensitivity analysis revealed similar findings in children with and without DSM‐5 defined CP. Conclusions: Results support the STAR model hypotheses as they pertain to CU traits and delineate threat sensitivity and affiliation as independent transdiagnostic risk factors for different types of psychopathology. Future research is needed to develop fuller and more reliable and valid measures of affiliation and threat sensitivity across multiple assessment modalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parenting programs aim to improve parenting quality, which may, in turn, support various aspects of child development, including behavior and mental health. However, parenting interventions show considerable heterogeneity in response patterns across different families, demonstrating that they are not one-size-fits-all programs. This variability points to a need for greater understanding of which families benefit most from these interventions and how to improve response among those who do not. Following this literature gap, this study employed a person-centered approach to identify different parenting profiles associated with heterogeneity in treatment responses to a family-based prevention interventions adapted for military families. This study used data from a randomized controlled trial of the ADAPT intervention for 336 US military families in which at least one parent had deployed to war. Latent profile analyses revealed three unobserved parenting profiles among mothers and fathers, reflecting High positive, Moderate positive, and Coercive parenting styles. Latent transition analysis (LTA) suggested that the ADAPT program led to improvements in parenting, particularly among mothers who began the program with moderate or typical levels of parenting skills, and that these positive changes in parenting may help to decrease child externalizing problems. For fathers, the ADAPT program was most effective in preventing declines in positive parenting among those with initially typical levels of positive parenting. Overall, study findings demonstrate considerable heterogeneity in parenting behavior among a sample of military families that is associated with variability in parent responses to the evidence-based parenting program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Families are key in the healthy development of Latinx sexual minority youth (Latinx SMY), a group that experiences behavioral, mental, and sexual health disparities. Despite this, there are no family-based interventions for Latinx SMY and their families to prevent drug use, sexual risk behaviors, and depressive symptoms. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the preliminary impact (i.e., estimated effect sizes) of Familias con Orgullo (FcO) and examine its feasibility and acceptability among 30 Latinx SMY and their parents. Parents and adolescents were randomized to FcO or a control condition and assessed pre/post-intervention. Feasibility was measured based on session completion and effect sizes. Focus groups were conducted to evaluate intervention acceptability. Findings showed promising effects favoring FcO on parent-adolescent communication (d = 0.46) and parental involvement (d = 0.34). There were also promising effects favoring FcO on suicidal thoughts (OR = 0.75) and depression symptoms (OR = 0.69). Finally, 100% of the adolescents in FcO either continued to remain drug-free or transitioned from current use to no use (from baseline to post-intervention) compared to 74% in the control. Effect sizes for condomless sex, parental monitoring, and positive parenting were small. Session completion (above 80%) and focus group findings indicated strong feasibility and acceptability. FcO holds promise for reducing drug use and depressive symptoms and improving family functioning among Latinx SMY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parents commonly seek information to support the health and well‐being of their children. The increasing availability of health information online and social changes related to the COVID‐19 pandemic may have changed what information is sought, from whom, where, and why. This qualitative study explored parents' practices and perspectives on seeking health and digital technology use information for their young children. Methods: Twenty parents, living in Australia (7 rural, 3 remote, and 10 metropolitan), with children aged 0–36 months completed a semi‐structured interview. Results: Parents commonly turned to friends and family and online sources to access health information for their young children. For all types of health information, including digital technology use, themes were identified surrounding aspects of information sources participants valued and accessibility of health services. Perceived credibility and trustworthiness, relatability with other parents, ease of accessibility and convenience, and actionable, bite‐sized information were valued. Reduced accessibility to health services due to COVID‐19 and geographical location, and need for agency in managing their child's health influenced parents' choice of source of information. Few participants actively sought information about digital technology use for their young child, with the main focus on screen time. Conclusion: Interactions with family and friends and online sources are important to parents when accessing health information for their child. Parents valued information sources which they considered trustworthy, credible, and relatable, as well as easily accessible and convenient. So What?: Dissemination of health information reflecting these values may empower parents during this early stage of parenthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parenting is influenced by family relationships, however, very little research has investigated how the relationships fathers have with their own fathers shape fathers' parenting attitudes and engagement. Intergenerational relationships are particularly relevant among families with strong intergenerational solidarity and interdependence, such as Mexican-origin families. The results based on data from 85 Mexican-origin fathers show more positive parenting attitudes and engagement among fathers reporting high-quality relationships with their fathers at the time of the study, but these associations were only found among fathers with sons. The findings highlight the importance of considering intergenerational pathways to strengthen father-child relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on social media have found that monitoring can be damaging for close relationships. In the context of family relationships, however, studies have recommended that parents increase their electronic supervision for their children. Theoretically, teenagers are seeking independence, so tracking them may hinder their development and/or prompt resentment. The purpose of the current study is to examine how using Life360, a mobile tracking application, relates to the quality of parent-child relationships. Quantitative data comes from 285 participants (Mean age = 20.49; SD = 2.84) who completed an online survey regarding the degree to which their parents used Life360 during high school and college, their mental well-being, and measures of the parent-child relationship. Correlation analyses revealed a positive relationship between parents using Life360 and parental involvement and connectedness. Additionally, self-esteem was negatively associated with parents' reaching out to their children as a result of Life360. However, regression analyses revealed few relationships between Life360 behaviors, mental health, and the parent-child relationship. Implications for parents, teenagers, and family counselors will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Big five and dark triad personality traits are likely to influence the perceived quality of the parent-child relationship, as they can impact the behavior of family members and parenting styles. The main objective of this study was to analyze how adult children's and parents' personality traits affect the perceived quality of the parent-child relationship within dyadic interactions. The results revealed that parents' agreeableness and psychopathy had positive or negative effects on children's positive behaviors and feelings toward their parents, respectively. Moreover, mothers' and fathers' positive behaviors and feelings toward their children were positively or negatively associated, respectively, with children's conscientiousness and psychopathy. Furthermore, network analyses demonstrated that the impact of parents' emotional stability and psychopathy on children's perceived quality of the parent-child relationship varied depending on the gender of the parents. Thus, the relationship between personality traits and the perceived quality of the parent-child relationship is influenced by family roles, revealing a complex and variable structure in different dyadic family relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Food preference is an important factor that affects one's eating behavior and dietary intake. Parent food preferences and food choices may influence children food preferences. This study is aimed to describe gender differences and time trends of Chinese adolescent food preferences and to explore the association between adolescent and their parent food preferences. Methods: The data were drawn from four waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) conducted between 2006 and 2015. Participants were asked to indicate their degree of preferences for five food categories (fast food, salty snack food, fruits, vegetables, and soft/sugary drinks) using a 5-point Likert scale (from "dislike very much" to "like very much"). Logistic regression was performed to determine the association of food preferences between adolescents and their parents. Results: Adolescent preferences for unhealthy foods were significantly higher than those of adults. Adolescent food preferences for fruits and vegetables decreased slightly over nine years, and there were gender differences in healthy food preferences (girls > boys, P < 0.05). Regardless of boys or girls, adolescent food preferences for healthy foods (fruits and vegetables) were significantly associated with both their fathers (OR: 3.64–4.58 for boys and 2.71–4.39 for girls) and mothers (OR: 2.13–4.11 for boys and 3.07–5.66 for girls) food preferences. For fast food and salty snack food preferences, boys appeared to be influenced greater by their fathers than girls, while girls appeared to be influenced greater by their mothers than boys. Conclusions: The present study reveals a high degree of unhealthy food preferences among Chinese adolescents and a gender-specific association of fast food and salty snack preference between Chinese adolescents and their parents. Our results may be useful for interventions to reduce adolescent unhealthy food preferences and intakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-determination theory (Ryan & Deci, 2017) has highlighted the differential roles that intrinsic life goals (for personal growth, close relationships, community connections, and physical health) and extrinsic life goals (i.e., for wealth, image, and status) play in supporting well-being. Less is known about how orientations toward these two types of aspirations develop. It is likely that early environmental influences, namely one's parents, impact individuals' aspirations. We address this gap by systematically reviewing the links between relevant parents' characteristics and the intrinsic and extrinsic goals of their children. We identified 49 eligible reports. Children's intrinsic aspirations were higher when parents provided a need-supportive environment (characterized by support for autonomy, relatedness, and competence) and when they endorsed intrinsic aspirations themselves, whereas children's extrinsic aspirations were higher when parents exhibited extrinsic aspirations themselves, promoted the pursuit of extrinsic aspirations, and provided environments characterized by need frustration. Therefore, fostering basic psychological need satisfaction may support children's intrinsic aspiring. In addition, parents should also be mindful of their own extrinsic goals, as they may influence extrinsic aspirations in their children and possibly compromise their well-being over the long term. Public Significance Statement: Goal contents theory (Ryan & Deci, 2017) posits that the pursuit of intrinsic goals such as personal growth, relationships, community, and health fosters a life of greater well-being, whereas prioritizing extrinsic goals of wealth, image, and fame reduces well-being. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed evidence on which parent factors are related to the intrinsic and extrinsic goals of their children. The results indicated that intrinsic goals were associated with need-supportive parenting and parents valuing intrinsic goals themselves. Extrinsic goals were found to be associated with parents having extrinsic goals, parental promotion of extrinsic goals, and need-frustrating parenting. It has public significance because it informs parents how to promote children's well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Moments that Matter® parenting program aims to promote nurturing care and healthy early childhood development (ECD) through monthly home visits and monthly community group meetings that are delivered by ECD promoters and coordinated with faith leaders in rural Western Kenya. We designed a process evaluation in August 2023 during the first quarter of program implementation. We conducted in‐depth interviews and focus group discussions with caregivers, ECD promoters, faith leaders, and program staff to capture their program experiences, assess program quality, and explore the implementation barriers and facilitators during this early stage of program roll‐out. Although ECD promoters delivered the program with fidelity, the roles and responsibilities of faith leaders were relatively weaker and inconsistent. Key facilitators of quality implementation included visual aids of key messages and supportive supervision. Barriers included a lack of clarity about faith leaders' roles and relatively long group session duration. We highlight several key recommendations for improving fidelity, quality, and eventual program effects with respect to enhancing nurturing care and early child development. Overall, our study showcases how a process evaluation conducted during the early phase of program implementation can reveal practical insights that can be used to inform program adaptations and quality improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posttraumatic stress disorder is a prolonged stress and anxiety response that occurs after exposure to a traumatic event. Research shows that both parental and child posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) are correlated but parental executive functions (EFs) could buffer this link. EFs refers to a group of high‐level cognitive processes that enable self‐regulation of thoughts and actions to achieve goal‐directed behaviours and can be of importance for both positive parenting interactions and effective coping skills for PTSS. Our study aimed to (1) examine the link between maternal and child PTSS and the moderating role of varying degrees of exposure to severe security threats context, and (2) to identify the moderating role of maternal EFs in this interaction, among families living in southern Israel. Our sample included 131 mothers in their second pregnancy and their firstborn children. Mothers performed computerised tasks to assess their EFs and they reported on their own and their child's PTSS. Results revealed a positive correlation between maternal PTSS and child PTSS. However, the link between maternal and child PTSS was moderated by maternal working memory updating abilities and threat context severity. Among mothers with lower updating capacities, the association between maternal and child symptoms was stronger under higher threat contexts; conversely, among mothers with higher maternal updating abilities, threat context did not modulate the link between maternal and child PTSS, suggesting a stress‐buffering effect. Our study contributes to the growing literature on the significant role of parental EFs in the context of parent‐child interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While existing literature on the intersection of trauma and autism is limited, emerging evidence suggests heightened vulnerability of autistic children to the psychological consequences of traumatic events, including an elevated risk of developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Additionally, parents of autistic children often experience elevated levels of negative emotional states, compared to parents of typically developing children. This study investigates the impact of terrorism and war on autistic and non‐autistic children and their parents, presenting preliminary results from the initial data collection phase of a year‐long longitudinal investigation of the experience of autistic children and their parents following Hamas' 7 October 2023 attack on Israel. Data gathered within 30 days of the initial attack reveal that both autistic and non‐autistic children exhibited clinically significant post‐traumatic stress symptoms, with autistic children demonstrating a more pronounced manifestation. Moreover, parents of autistic children reported significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in the aftermath of the events, compared to an independent cohort of parents of autistic children assessed prior to the crisis. These results underscore the heightened susceptibility of autistic children to post‐traumatic stress and the unique challenges confronted by their parents during times of conflict. The study highlights the imperative for tailored support services for autistic children and their families amidst traumatic incidents and stresses the need for further research in comparable contexts globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Child externalising problems, such as acting out and hostility, have been found to be significant stressors for parents, leading to increased distress levels. This cross‐sectional study examined the mediating role of parents' use of mobile phones to soothe or engage children in the association between child externalising problems and distress in parents. Altogether 937 parents of children aged 5–12 reported their child's externalising problems, child's mobile phone use, and their distress through an online survey. The findings indicated that parents of children with high externalising problems are more likely to use mobile phones to soothe their children and keep them engaged in daily activities, which, in turn, is associated with higher distress in parents. Child externalising problems and distress in parents remained significantly and positively associated even after accounting for the mediating effect. The results highlight the child‐driven effect on distress in parents through parenting behaviours, indicating the importance of providing alternative parenting strategies to cope with child externalising behaviours, in order to promote parental emotional well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental burnout (PB) is characterised by parental exhaustion resulting from exposure to chronic parental stress. Due to the social and economic changes resulting from the COVID‐19 pandemic that impacted families, there is a significant scientific interest in identifying factors related to PB within the pandemic context. This study aimed to analyse the relationships between parental stress (parental concerns, parental satisfaction, lack of control, and fears and anxieties), family functioning, psychological morbidity (anxiety and depression), and burnout in parents. The sample consisted of 253 parents, legal guardians or primary caregivers of children aged between 0 and 6 years. Results revealed that the child's age, psychological morbidity (depression), and parental stress were significant predictors of PB. Anxiety and family functioning played a moderating role in the relationship between parental satisfaction and PB. According to the results, intervention programs should focus on anxiety symptoms and family functioning to mitigate the effects of parental stress on PB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the role of cultural value endorsement in promoting positive parenting is important for studies on Mexican-origin fathers who face risks for exposure to psychological stress. Studies have yet to account for specific cultural values that are particularly pertinent to Mexican-origin fathers. Using a community sample of U.S. Mexican-origin fathers (N = 85) of 3 to 6-year-old children, this study tested the independent influences of psychological distress and three cultural values (familismo, respeto, caballerismo) on fathers' positive parenting practices, and whether endorsement of these cultural values moderates these associations. Findings from hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated an inverse relationship between psychological distress and supportive coparenting when fathers endorsed low levels of familismo along with an inverse link between psychological distress and father accessibility and engagement when fathers reported low levels of respeto. The findings point to the implications of considering culturally-specific factors that foster positive parenting to inform interventions among Mexican-origin families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Evaluate the cognitive, behavioural and affective processes involved in therapeutic change for young people with epilepsy and mental health difficulties receiving an integrated mental health intervention. Methods: As part of a mixed methods convergent design, qualitative data were gathered in parallel to quantitative data at two timepoints in a randomised controlled trial testing the Mental Health Intervention for Children with Epilepsy in addition to usual care. Twenty-five young people and/or their families were interviewed before and after the intervention about the young person's mental and physical health, and their experience of therapy. Interview data were analysed inductively, idiographically and longitudinally using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis combined with Framework Analysis. Results: The young people's emotional and behaviour problems improved, mirroring the trial's quantitative outcomes. Their anxiety decreased and behaviour improved as they acquired tools and understanding through therapy. Problems, like aggressive behaviours and emotional outbursts, were also reduced, with young people gaining increased awareness and ability to self-regulate and parents learning to contain their child's impulsive behaviours. Conclusions: The qualitative findings complement the MICE trial's significant positive quantitative results by providing insight and context to the therapeutic change, providing vivid insight into the mechanisms of therapy for individual families. Plain language summary: This study involves young people with epilepsy and mental health difficulties who received an integrated mental health intervention called the Mental Health Intervention for Children with Epilepsy (MICE). The effectiveness of the MICE intervention (in addition to usual care) was assessed by comparing it to only usual care. This article reports on the changes in the behaviour, thinking, feeling of the young people after they received therapy. The research data was qualitative, using transcripts from interviews with 25 young people and/or their families. There was also some quantitative data, in the form of questionnaires. Both types of data were gathered at two different time points and compared over time. Then the results from the two types of data were considered together in a so-called mixed methods approach. During the qualitative interviews, participants were asked about the young person's mental and physical health, as well as their therapy experiences. The interview data were analysed using an in-depth approach to the analysis. This article describes improvements in emotional and behavioural problems among the young participants, which align with the positive mental health outcomes observed in the trial's quantitative data. Participant quotes before and after the intervention reveal reduced anxiety and improved behaviour as the therapy gave the young people new tools and understanding. Parents of young people with intellectual disabilities also felt more confident in managing their children's fears. Aggressive behaviours and emotional outbursts decreased, and young people developed greater self-awareness and self-control. The qualitative findings provide context and insight into the therapeutic change observed in the MICE trial. Understanding the mechanisms of therapy is crucial. In summary, this study sheds light on how therapy positively impacts young people's mental health and behaviour, with benefits for both the young people and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is prevalent among adolescents and is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes, many adolescents with NSSI do not seek help. However, there is a lack of research on the factors that may increase the likelihood of help-seeking, especially within Asia. To address this gap, the present study examined whether certain factors were associated with informal and formal help-seeking – specifically gender, severity of NSSI, functions of NSSI and authoritative parenting. 121 adolescents (M age = 16.2 years, 71.1% female) were recruited from specialist outpatient clinics and inpatient psychiatric wards from a public hospital in Singapore. One caregiver per adolescent was also recruited. Data from self-report questionnaires were analysed using logistics regression analyses. The results suggest that the severity of NSSI increases the likelihood of informal help-seeking, while adolescents who have parents with more authoritative parenting style are less likely to seek informal help. Gender and functions of NSSI were not found to be associated with help-seeking. The findings from this study can guide professionals in their efforts to encourage help-seeking within Asian populations, as well as inform prevention and treatment programs for Asian adolescents with NSSI. Plain language summary: Factors that encourage Asian youths who self-harm to get help from non-professionals and professionals: There are many youths who engage in self-harm for reasons other than suicide. Although self-harm could lead to various negative outcomes, many youths do not seek help. However, not much is known about what encourages these youths to seek help from non-professionals (e.g., family, friends) and professionals (e.g., psychologists), especially within Asia. This paper looked at certain factors that may be linked to whether youths seek help – including gender, severity of self-harm, reasons for self-harm, and parenting style. Youths and caregivers were recruited from a public hospital in Singapore. The study found that youths with more severe self-harm are more likely to seek help from non-professionals, whereas youths with parents who are highly responsive and provide consistent discipline are less likely to seek help from non-professionals. None of the factors studied were relevant in whether youths sought help from professionals. The findings from this study can guide professionals to prevent and treat self-harm in Asia, as well as improve efforts to encourage Asian youths to seek help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sociologists have extensively studied the prevalence of intensive parenting among middle-class families as a response to uncertainties about maintaining their privileged class status. Most studies, however, have focused on traditional school systems, which overlooks the full spectrum of middle-class parenting values and practices, particularly those beyond mainstream schooling. To address this gap, this study explores an alternative middle-class choice for raising and educating children through the lens of Chinese homeschooling. Drawing on in-depth interviews with middle-class parents from 30 Chinese families of school-age children being homeschooled in Taipei and Hong Kong, this study investigates the paradoxes and ambiguities that arose as the parents navigated and negotiated competing values for their children. The findings reveal that the parents mobilised their cultural repertoires to seek a coherent narrative that made sense of and justified their homeschooling goals and practices in the Chinese context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of the article is to present and compare various strategies aimed at encouraging research participants to voice their experiences of racism and discrimination. This is supplemented by the discussion on how scholars can unveil the intersections of multiple systems of oppression reverberating in research participants' narratives, given the challenge of racial asymmetry in research and the politics of interpretation in a race-mute societal context. Based on their study involving young migrants, the authors argue that qualitative research instruments such as individual and focus-group interviews, visual elicitation, co-creative methods, and video interviews enable individuals to frame their experienced reality in complementary ways. Comparing how each method can conceal or disclose racism, the authors warn of treating narrations on racism on face value and plead for carefully analyzing the extent to which individual narrations align with political agendas and normative discourses within the research's contexts. Addressing each research tool's potential and limitations, the authors also show how the researchers' epistemological and political positionalities shape their data collection and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined long‐term mediating effects of the smalltalk parenting intervention on children's effortful control at school age (7.5 years; 2016–2018). In 2010–2012, parents (96% female) of toddlers (N = 1201; aged 12–36 months; 52% female) were randomly assigned to either: standard playgroup, smalltalk playgroup (group‐only), or smalltalk playgroup with additional home coaching (smalltalk plus). Multi‐informant data indicated that smalltalk plus had unique indirect effects on children's effortful control, through parents' capacity to ‘maintain and extend’ children's focus during joint interactions. Possible mediating pathways via parent verbal responsivity, home learning activities, and descriptive language use were not supported. When parents received a structured playgroup program with additional home coaching, sustainable benefits were evident in children's self‐regulation, assessed in the early school years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special issue explores the shifting landscape of global middle‐class migration within and from East Asia by taking the relationship between mobility, parenting ideals and changing educational desires as its focus. Contributions explore how East Asian middle‐class families balance the emergent emphasis on their children's well‐being with the demands of global competitiveness as these often‐antagonistic desires are projected onto old and new migration destinations against the background of global geopolitical and economic power shifts. Instead of reifying the simplistic binary of hierarchical, achievement‐oriented East Asian 'Confucian educational norms' versus democratic, well‐being‐focussed Western ideals, the contributions offer a nuanced understanding of how these educational ideals coexist within the social, cultural, political and economic contexts of families. By carefully assessing the dialectically entwined intimate experiences of parents and children, the articles collected here set out to broaden our understanding of how middle‐class families in Singapore, South Korea, Japan and China attempt to negotiate the tension between prioritizing children's happiness and maintaining global competitiveness result in a variety of strategies from migrating to less obvious international destinations to crafting domestic alternatives. Taken together, the articles reveal consistent patterns of middle‐class migration and child‐rearing decisions that contest and reshape conventional notions of success, attesting to a shift in global middle‐class migration trends and to the importance of child‐rearing in migratory decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of ethnographic fieldwork in Singapore, the article explores the tension between children's academic success and emotional wellbeing, and the ways in which middle‐class parents navigate these conflicting aspirations. It delves into families with young children who pursue alternative lifestyles by moving abroad to a presumably less stressful environment or by homeschooling their children. The study aims to understand how parents who 'opt out' perceive their children's future and the sacrifices they make in pursuing alternative education for their children. Decisions were made to 'protect' the child from the potentially negative effects of a competitive education system, while pursuing an alternative childhood and school–life balance. East Asian education systems are globally renowned for their high academic standards and for producing students who score at the top on international assessment tests and rankings. In this context, alternative educational pursuits are both less established and less well understood, yet they are central to understanding emerging aspirations of wellbeing as well as the reconfiguration of conventional ideals of upward social mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

South Korea has been known for high rates of 'early study abroad' (ESA) or jogi yuhak participation, in which pre‐college students go abroad for an international education. However, this trend has declined recently. Instead, many Korean parents and their children are seeking the benefits of 'studying abroad' without leaving Korea for long periods. Based on in‐depth interviews with Korean parents, I explore various strategies they employ to provide their children, aged 4–12, with 'study abroad experiences' without actually studying abroad for an extended period. These approaches include English immersion programmes, such as English kindergartens and camps designed to expose children to foreign cultures and languages. I analyse how Korean parents' aspirations to nurture 'happy children' while securing their future success shape diverse strategies that transcend traditional local–global and sedentary–mobile dichotomies. This highlights more complex motivations behind educational choices, emphasizing goals beyond mere capital accumulation or lifestyle consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although there is growing interest in telehealth to deliver parent-mediated intervention for autistic children, empirical evaluations are limited, and little is known regarding the relative benefits of self-directed and therapist-assisted telehealth interventions. This study examined the effect of self-directed and therapist-assisted ImPACT Online on parent learning and well-being, moderators of treatment, and predictors of program engagement. Method: Sixty-four young autistic children and their primary caregiver participated. Children were matched on age and developmental quotient and randomly assigned to a therapist-assisted, self-directed, or resource support control group. Participants were assessed at intake, after 6 months (post), and at a 3-month follow-up. Results: There was a significant treatment effect for parent learning for the therapist-assisted but not self-directed program; when analysis was limited to parents who completed the program, treatment effects were observed for both groups. There were no treatment effects for parent self-efficacy or parenting stress; however, there was an effect on parents' perception of their child's positive impact. Parenting stress did not moderate the effect of group on parent outcomes. Parent age, program satisfaction, and therapist assistance were all significant predictors of parent program engagement. Conclusion: This study supports the efficacy of therapist-assisted telehealth parent-mediated intervention for teaching parents intervention strategies to support their child's social communication and improving their perceptions of their child's positive impact, and suggests that self-directed programs may be beneficial for parents who fully engage with the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper advances debates at the intersection of geographies of children, youth and families, digital geographies, and geographies of home. We argue that social, seasonal and limited time are vitally important for understanding the new landscape between gaming and gambling and have wider analytical purchase for geographers. This paper reveals parenting practices connected to the multi-billion-dollar industry of paid-for currency in digital games used to access gambling style systems and chance-based mechanisms such as loot boxes. We use this timely example to develop new digital geographies of home from original interviews with families based in England on their everyday lived experiences of gambling-style systems in digital games as well as data from video ethnographies with children and young people and interviews with international game designers. This paper challenges current understandings by examining how parents make sense of gambling-related harms and demonstrates the spatial and temporal dynamics of purchasing decisions, rules, and associated conflicts in domestic space. We argue these systems in digital games shape and are shaped by family geographies. This paper concludes by outlining its relevance for the social and health sciences at a time of intense legislative interest in the increasingly blurred space between gaming and gambling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotion dysregulation is a common challenge for autistic individuals, yet research examining early emotion regulation processes in autism is lacking. The present study examined negative emotion expression and parent-child co-regulatory processes in 18-month-old younger siblings of autistic children (children with an "elevated likelihood" (EL) of autism) with diverse outcomes: autism, language delay without autism (EL-LD), and no delay/diagnosis (EL-ND). Thirty-nine toddlers were videotaped at home with a parent. Negative emotion and parent co-regulatory responses were coded from the video. Results indicated that autistic toddlers exhibited more high-intensity negative emotion than EL-ND toddlers. The likelihood of negative emotion continuing once initiated was higher for autistic and EL-LD toddlers. Parental co-regulation strategy use was similar across groups. Parental co-regulation reduced the likelihood of continued negative emotion, although the effect appeared somewhat weaker for autistic toddlers. This research corroborates evidence that increased risk for heightened and prolonged negative emotion starts early in autistic children and, to a lesser extent, in EL-LD children. Parents of all children were highly responsive, but coregulatory responses may be less effective at reducing negative emotions for autistic children. While more research is needed, the present study contributes to our understanding of the unique emotional experiences of autistic toddlers. Managing negative emotion can be challenging for autistic individuals and their families from a young age. Parents help young children manage negative emotions by responding in comforting or supportive ways. Not much research has examined how negative emotions and parent responses to negative emotions are different in very young autistic children. This study used videotapes of 18-month-old toddlers and parents at home. We examined how much and how intensely toddlers expressed negative emotion in everyday situations, and how parents responded. Participants were younger siblings of autistic children, and we compared three groups—children that (1) later received an autism diagnosis; (2) had language delays but not autism; and (3) had no delays or autism. We found that autistic toddlers' negative emotion was more likely to be intense and to continue once it started compared with children without delays or autism. Language-delayed toddlers also showed some, but not all these differences. Parents responded similarly to negative emotions in all groups. When parents used strategies to help, it reduced the chances of the negative emotions continuing, although it may have been less helpful for autistic toddlers. This study shows that autistic children may express more intense and long-lasting negative emotions from an early age. It also shows that parents of autistic children are very responsive to their children's negative emotions, but these responses may not be as helpful to autistic children. While more research is needed, this study helps us understand how autistic toddlers may express and experience emotions differently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Screen media serves an essential role in adolescents' lives, posing growth opportunities and mental health challenges. Family plays a crucial role in mitigating these challenges. This systematic review offers a comprehensive analysis of the family factors related to adolescent screen media use and mental health. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Embase, adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines using the following inclusion criteria: English, peer‐reviewed, observational design, and published since 2013; adolescent samples aged 10–17 years; and examining screen media use, family factors, and internalizing problems. The role of family factors as predictors, moderators, and mediators was also examined. Results: Of the 3587 records, 32 met the inclusion criteria. These studies, primarily cross‐sectional, presented a global perspective of 14 countries. A heterogeneous range of family factors, screen media use, and mental health outcomes were examined, revealing significant associations between elevated screen media use and internalizing problems. Positive family processes and democratic media‐specific parenting mitigate such association. A few studies underscored family socioeconomic status (SES), noting elevated screen media use and mental health risks among adolescents in families of low SES. Conclusions: Accumulating evidence supports the important role of positive family contexts in fostering balanced screen media use and mental health in adolescents, accentuating the need for professional screening and education to promote positive screen media use among adolescents and families. Further research requires refinement in measurement and methodology to better capture the intricate relationship between family dynamics, screen media use, and adolescent mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To inform shared decision-making by identifying parental preferences for the management of their febrile young infant. METHODS: This was a sequential explanatory mixed-methods study using a cross-sectional questionnaire (May 2020-May 2022) followed by qualitative focus groups (September--December 2022) with parents of infants aged #60 days evaluated for fever at a tertiary pediatric hospital. Parental expectations, stressors, and desired level of decisional involvement were assessed using multiple-choice and 6-point-Likert scales. Questionnaire results informed the qualitative naturalistic inquiry into parents' decision-making experiences and preferences regarding the need for lumbar puncture (LP) and hospitalization. RESULTS: Among 432 parents (64.9% response), few anticipated the need for LP (10.2%) or hospitalization (20.8%), and these were selected as the most stressful aspects of management. No parent identified lack of decisional involvement as the most important stressor, although nearly all (97.5%) wanted to be involved in management decisions. Six focus groups with a subset of 17 parents revealed 4 main themes: (1) varying preferences for decisional involvement depending on the strength of the medical recommendation; (2) importance of involving parents in their infant's medical care; (3) need for tailored information; and (4) importance of supportive relationships. Parents reported feeling involved in discussions about their infant's care but that decisions regarding LP and hospitalization were usually made by the medical team. CONCLUSIONS: Parents of febrile young infants identified LP and hospitalization as the most unexpected and stressful aspects of care. Understanding individual family expectations and tailoring information based on the strength of medical recommendation is necessary to guide shared decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the increased mobility and linguistic and cultural diversity internationally, there has been a renewed interest in the linguistic practices of immigrant families. Earlier scholarship focused on the difference between parenting in monolingual contexts and bilingual parenting conceptualised as management of more than one language in a family. To better understand the complexity of language practices in immigrant families, this article develops a new concept of plurilingual parenting. This analysis is based on empirical data from Canada and uses plurilingualism as a theoretical framework. I found that immigrant parents adopt plurilingual parenting, which is characterised by the following features: (1) parental beliefs in the dynamic and fluid nature of language practices; (2) family language policies that are flexible and allow for partial proficiency in languages in familial linguistic repertoires; and (3) interconnectedness of language and culture. Implications include the possibility to use the concept of plurilingual parenting in the scholarship related to family language policy and identity negotiation in immigrant families. Educators working with immigrant students will benefit from the familiarity with the concept of plurilingual parenting by aligning their expectations with parental practices and appreciating students' funds of knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Access to credible information can facilitate parental engagement in wheelchair prescription for their child with a neuromuscular condition (NMC). In this study, we developed and evaluated acceptability, perceived usefulness and emotional responses to a psychoeducational booklet for parents of children with a NMC. Methods: Australian parents of children who had been recommended a wheelchair and clinicians caring for children with NMCs were invited to evaluate the booklet, Getting Wheels. The booklet included 11 chapters, each covering distinct aspects of wheelchair prescription and supportive care. Participants completed one online survey including validated and study-specific measures. Results: Twenty-seven parents (71% response rate, 78% mothers) and nine clinicians (90% response rate, 89% women) participated. All parents endorsed the booklet as addressing their information and support needs, and 93% agreed it would help parents engage in the wheelchair prescription process. All clinicians endorsed the booklet as addressing parents' information and support needs and agreed they could use the booklet in clinical practice. Conclusions: Parents and clinicians rate Getting Wheels as acceptable for use in the context of wheelchair recommendation for children with a neuromuscular condition. Next steps include prospective examination of booklet use in clinical practice and adaptation to culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Implications for rehabilitation: The co-designed "Getting Wheels" booklet provides tailored information for use in the context of wheelchair recommendation for children with a neuromuscular condition. The emotions elicited throughout wheelchair prescription endorse the need for integrated psychosocial multidisciplinary care to improve access and support the ongoing emotional needs of this population. Parents of children who receive wheelchair recommendation between zero and two years require greater support from clinicians regarding their thoughts and feelings about wheelchair prescription. Parents of children with a neuromuscular condition and treating clinicians support provision of a tailored psychoeducational resource when a child is recommended a wheelchair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The study aimed to explore mothers' perceptions for timely introduction of complementary feeding through interviews with 2–12‐month‐old infants' mothers in Ghana. Methods: Qualitative descriptive research with 16 semi‐structured interviews with mothers attending the Child Welfare Clinic at Ejisu Hospital was conducted from June 2022 to May 2023. The study was guided by the Declaration of Helsinki, and all participants were instructed about informed consent for the study. Interviews and analysis were guided by Theory of Planned Behavior. NVivo 1.5 was used throughout the coding procedure. This study was conducted after the approval from St. Luke's International University. Results: Four themes were revealed: (1) attitude toward the behavior based on the mothers' experience raising children, (2) attitude toward the behavior influenced by subjective norm (grandmothers' recommendation), (3) attitude toward the behavior influenced by perceived behavioral control (difficulty in continuing breastfeeding), and (4) mothers who are worried about underweight despite timely introduction of complementary feeding. Attitudes toward the behavior were influenced by mothers' experiences raising children and grandmothers' recommendations. Surroundings disruptive of breastfeeding also influenced attitudes toward intentions and behavior. Moreover, some mothers suffered from underweight even if they introduce complementary feeding at an optimal time. Conclusion: Supporting to continue breastfeeding and conducting re‐education for grandmothers is a key recommendation for midwives and pediatric nurses. Moreover, pediatric nurses are required to further enhance not only health education regarding the timing of initiating complementary feeding but also support after the introduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: A young child's abnormal birth weight (BW) can affect a mother's misperceptions of her child's weight, potentially hindering the child's health management. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of children's BW on maternal misperceptions of children's weight during early childhood. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for 485,095 children who were 54–60 months of age, born between 2011 and 2013, and participated in South Korea's Sixth National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children (NHSPIC). Data on BW, weight, sex, birth year, preterm birth, breastfeeding history, maternal age, mothers' perceptions of the child's weight, and socioeconomic status were collected and incorporated in the final analysis via data linkage between the NHSPIC and Korean healthcare claims information. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to identity the impact of BW on mothers' misperceptions of children's weight, after adjustment for all variables. Results: Low BW (LBW) children had the lowest proportion (57.1%) of mothers who accurately identified their child's weight compared to normal or high BW. LBW was an independent factor affected maternal misperception of the child's weight (underestimation: adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41–1.52; overestimation: aOR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.73–0.97). Overweight or underweight status, male gender, preterm birth, a younger mother, and low socioeconomic status were also associated with both underestimation and overestimation. Conclusion: LBW emerged as an important risk factor for maternal misperception of a child's weight. Therefore, pediatric nurses need to apply interventions to improve perceptions of children's weight among mothers of young LBW children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We tested an extended family stress model of economic hardship (FSM; Conger et al., 2010) incorporating structural risks (discrimination, immigration, and COVID-19 experiences) and qualitative data, to better understand the impact of culturally relevant experiences on family stress processes in rural, immigrant Latine families in the U.S. Midwest. Method: Participants were Latine families (N = 307) with a child aged 10–15 (Mage = 12.21 years, 51.0% boys; 71.5% two parent; 93.1% of caregivers and 29% of youth born outside the United States) Mean household income was 25–30K and 65% of caregivers had less than a high school education. We tested a cross-sectional structural equation model in Mplus and analyzed qualitative interviews with a subsample of mother–youth dyads (n = 19). Results: COVID-19 experiences predicted economic pressure, and both COVID-19 and discrimination experiences were linked to caregiver psychological distress. Consistent with the FSM, economic pressure predicted psychological distress, which was associated with interparental relationship problems and parenting. Parenting was associated with youth global health. Unexpectedly, interparental relationship problems to parenting were not significant. The indirect association linking COVID-19 experiences to youth global health via psychological distress and parenting was significant. Qualitative data revealed five themes demonstrating how structural and economic risks contributed to distress, conflict, and maladjustment within the family system. Conclusions: Culturally relevant structural risks exert a negative influence on family processes in rural Latine immigrant families through contributing to economic pressures and parental distress. The additional impact of these experiences should be considered when addressing the FSM in Latine populations. Public Significance Statement: Negative life experiences such as discrimination, immigration barriers, and the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to economic strain and caregiver distress in rural immigrant Latine families, which in turn, impact family relationships, parenting behaviors, and adolescent well-being. Improving the conditions that threaten the well-being of Latine immigrant caregivers will benefit their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental involvement in children's education is highly valued and encouraged in many societies. While existing research has mainly focused on the positive effects parental involvement has for children, we argue that engaging in such quality parent–child interactions can also be a resource‐gaining process for parents. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory and the work–home resources model, the current study aims to investigate how and when working parents' involvement in children's education enhances their well‐being at home and engagement at work. Using a two‐wave survey of 206 full‐time employees with at least one school‐aged child, our results indicate that for parents experiencing higher levels of parental burnout, involvement in their children's education enhances their flourishing experience at home and subsequently improves work engagement and creative process engagement at work. Overall, our study contributes to the well‐being and work–family interface literature by highlighting the positive effect of parental involvement, an underexplored construct, on working parents' well‐being both at home and in the workplace. This study also provides practical implications for burned‐out working parents that they can benefit from involving themselves in their children's education to cope with and thrive from family demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family life dramatically changed following the COVID-19 pandemic onset. Parents faced school and childcare closures, employment changes, and other disruptions to daily life. This study utilized online survey data collected in late April 2020 (N = 1,009) of parents' experiences parenting children from 0 to 12 years during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents in the study were primarily White (82%), married (82%), and women (89%) with one or two children (75.1%). This qualitative study explored the challenges and rewards of parenting during a public health crisis. Parents responded to separate open-ended questions asking about the rewards and challenges of parenting during COVID-19. The responses to each question were coded independently and then combined to identify broader overarching themes. Using descriptive qualitative analysis, we identified six themes related to both parenting challenges and rewards: shifting roles and responsibilities, structure and routine changes, staying at home, relationship changes, parental adaptation and well-being, child well-being, and emotional experiences. A subset of parents reported the same experiences as being both rewarding and challenging, which reflects the duality and complexity of parenting during the pandemic. These findings are interpreted through a positive psychology lens and highlight the benefit finding that exists even when parents are in extremely stressful situations. We discuss the implications of this research for better supporting parents both during and outside of major crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]