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Guided by scholarship on housing insecurity and the survival strategies of poor families, this study examines how impoverished families navigate and assess appropriate responses to housing insecurity in the private rental market. Drawing on interviews with 100 low-income families across Israel, the study finds that families construct rental housing as a chief source of subjugation, instability, and emotional distress. Poor families often draw on their relationships with their landlords to survive conditions of housing insecurity. I term this strategy leveraging "transactional ties." The concept emphasizes economic relationships between destitute families and advantaged actors in various market arenas. Families are subjugated by these well-positioned actors; nevertheless, they are sometimes able to negotiate a better deal for themselves. By emphasizing the importance of how renters construct transactional ties with powerful actors, the article contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of housing insecurity among disadvantaged populations today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Australian education system features considerable socioeconomic inequality and is a frequent source of controversy in Australian public life. Yet meaningful reform to this system has proven elusive. In this article, we examine the public's fairness perceptions of educational inequality based on parental financial capacity, using an online survey of adults (N = 1,999) from New South Wales, Australia. We asked about the fairness of inequality in school resources and education quality, and used a scenario in which students from high-income and low-income families had achievement gaps due to differences in educational experiences. Respondents had diverse perceptions about the fairness of educational inequality, but most perceived the scenario as unfair or very unfair. The partial proportional odds models showed that self-interest and neoliberal orientations predicted people's fairness perceptions of educational inequality. The findings of this study have implications for achieving meaningful reform of the Australian education system that is in line with public opinion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1966, a new homelessness charity, Shelter, set out to redefine the homeless as impoverished families enduring poor or insecure housing rather than single men living on the street. Through a series of 'hard-hitting' reports and adverts, the group highlighted the destructiveness of poor housing on young families and gained a prominent national voice. This article examines Shelter's campaigns in the 1960s to examine how debates about homes and homelessness can reframe the development of discourses of 'crisis' that defined the 1970s and provided a key narrative of Thatcherism. It focuses on how Shelter deployed ideas of childhood, family, and the family home, often echoing theories of leading child psychiatrists of the post-war period, to warn of the profound and acute danger that the housing crisis represented to British society. Shelter's prominent and successful adverts and campaigns drew on growing anxieties about social and economic crisis, but did not discuss key issues of unemployment, racial discrimination, and deindustrialization. Instead, Shelter's campaigns focused on the damage poor housing did to family life and the education and life chances of individual children. Discourses of crisis in this period are often associated with 'inner cities' and failing reconstruction schemes, but Shelter presented an image of social crisis that was centred in the family and the family home. By analysing how Shelter drew on fears about the coming social crisis, the article suggests that the family home and the life chances of individuals were central to popular understandings and perceptions of crisis before the 1970s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Those who become parents at a young age are more likely to have disadvantaged backgrounds such as growing up in low income families or to have experiences of being in care, which means they are more likely to face challenges as they become adults and parents. Despite the disadvantages many young parents face, they are neglected in UK policy, especially in relation to their experiences of the social security system where they receive lower levels of financial support from the state compared with older parents. This article draws on in-depth interview data at two points in time with nine young parents under the age of 25 claiming Universal Credit (drawn from a large sample of couples receiving Universal Credit). The findings show they faced extreme financial disadvantage, housing difficulties and problematic interactions with Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) staff and social services which impacted on their awareness and access to benefits. This article also explores the role of policy, poverty and power in influencing age related experiences of social security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although actual experiences of upward social mobility are historically low, many adolescents and adults express a belief in social mobility (e.g., that social status can change). Although a belief in upward mobility (e.g., that status can improve) can be helpful for economically disadvantaged adolescents and adults, a belief in upward social mobility in adults is also associated with greater acceptance of societal inequality. While this belief might have similar benefits or consequences in children, no previous work has examined whether children are even capable of reasoning about social mobility. This is surprising, given that elementary‐aged children exhibit sophisticated reasoning about both social status, as well as about the fixedness or malleability of properties and group membership. Across an economically advantaged group of 5‐ to 12‐year‐old American children (N = 151, Mage = 8.91, 63% racial majority, 25% racially marginalized; Mhousehold income = $133,064), we found evidence that children can reason about social mobility for their own families and for others. Similar to research in adults, children believe that others are more likely to experience upward than downward mobility. However, in contrast to adult's typical beliefs—but in line with economic realities—between 7‐ and 9‐years‐old, children become less likely to expect upward mobility for economically disadvantaged, versus advantaged, families. In sum, children are capable of reasoning about social mobility in nuanced ways; future work should explore the implications of these beliefs. Research Highlights: Despite harsh economic realities, a belief in upward social mobility and the American Dream is alive and well.Between 7 and 9 years of age, economically advantaged, American children begin to expect economically disadvantaged families to experience less upward mobility than economically advantaged families.Children's beliefs about social mobility better accord with reality than adults' do. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioral parenting programs, such as Incredible Years (IY), reduce conduct problems in children. However, conduct problems encompass many different behaviors, and little is known about the effects of parenting programs on specific aspects of children's conduct problems, such as children's relationships with others. The aim of this study was to examine, for the first time, the effects of the IY parenting program on children's levels of conflict with their parents, siblings, and peers. We used individual participant-level data pooled across 12 randomized trials in Europe, comprising a total of 1,409 families: child aged 1–11 years (M = 5.53 years, SD = 1.56) and 61% male, 60% low-income families, and 30% from an ethnic minority. Multilevel models were used to explore the effects of IY on children's conflict with parents, siblings, and peers. The IY program reduced children's conflict with their parents (β = −.21), but there were no main effects of the program on conflict with siblings or peers. Moderation analyses showed that IY reduced conflict in sibling relationships for the 22% of families with the most severe sibling conflict at baseline. This suggests that high-quality behavioral parenting programs, such as IY, can effectively reduce children's conflict within the home (i.e., with parents and siblings), especially when initial levels of sibling conflict are high, but do not have broader benefits on children's interpersonal conflict outside of the home (i.e., with peers). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with a parent who suffers from depression are more likely to develop internalizing problems themselves. Moreover, poverty is an additional risk factor for child internalizing problems. According to models of intergenerational transmission of depression, various environmental mechanisms may account for this transmission. However, very few studies have included multiple mediators, as well as both parents in low-income samples. In this study of low-income families, we measured parental depressive symptoms, child internalizing problems, and examined three potential mediators: parent-child interaction quality, spouse's depressive symptoms, and coparenting conflict. Results indicated that the transmission of paternal depressive symptoms to child internalizing problems was entirely accounted for by these three mediators. The transmission of maternal depressive symptoms to child internalizing problems was mediated partially by coparenting conflict, but this link remained largely direct. These results underscore the need to consider both parents and coparenting conflict in clinical interventions targeting internalizing problems among preschoolers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Many parents struggle to find mental health care for their children, and many mental health clinicians do not accept insurance payments. The authors aimed to estimate the frequency and cost of self-pay psychotherapy and psychotropic medication management visits for youths and to determine how service use varies by family income. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional analysis was performed among youths ages 5–17 years in the 2018–2020 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Specialist visits included those with psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and mental health counselors or family therapists. Results: Approximately one in five of 13,639 outpatient mental health specialist visits were self-pay, with psychologists (23% of visits) and social workers (24% of visits) most likely to see youths on a self-pay basis. Use of self-pay care was strongly associated with higher income, but even families earning <$28,000 per year utilized some self-pay care, at a median cost of $95 per visit. Self-pay visits were associated with slightly lower clinical need than insurance-covered visits, although this measure varied by income. Conclusions: The self-pay market for child mental health care potentially exacerbates inequities in access to care by burdening low-income families with high costs. Incentivizing mental health providers to participate in insurance for larger portions of their patient panels, for example, by increasing reimbursement rates and reducing paperwork, may help improve equitable access to mental health care. To the extent that reimbursement rates drive insurance acceptance, the frequency of self-pay mental health visits suggests that mental health services are underreimbursed relative to their benefit to patients and families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) dated from 1991 to 2015, we assess the impact of public bus expansion into villages on income mobility of rural household, particularly, with low income. This paper finds that the income mobility of low-income households is suffered from the expansion of public buses in the rural areas. Due to the 'crowding out' effect, the low-income families are excluded from the non-agricultural employment brought by the public bus expansion, which nevertheless does not improve the agricultural production structure. This can explain why the low-income group has been marginalized during the process of urban-city integration in China. Improvement of the human capital can significantly alleviate the negative impact of public bus expansion on the low-income group in rural areas, while the child-care burden aggravates the issue. These results may also have policy implication for potential solutions to problems such as the 'First Kilometer' to realize common prosperity is not simply about the modernization in the infrastructure but also equalization of opportunities through cultivation of human capital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Social determinants of health (SDoH) are increasingly recognized as crucial factors affecting the well-being of pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. This study explores the impact of SDoH on the quality of life (QoL) of children with CKD in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study included 50 participants with CKD stages three to five, as well as children with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) or hemodialysis (HD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from children and their caregivers using a validated Arabic-adapted version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 3.0 and an SDoH survey. Results: The study revealed that access to education significantly affects pediatric QoL (H/Z score 2.825; P-value 0.005), and the lack of dietary recommendations was identified as a critical factor (H/Z score 1.441; P-value 0.029). ESRD patients on PD from larger families reported better QoL, whereas lower family income was associated with reduced QoL in PD patients (P-value 0.048). Compared to those in earlier stages of CKD, ESRD patients showed lower QoL (H/Z score 2.154; P-value 0.031). Conclusion: Our study provides initial insights into the relationship between SDoH and the QoL of children with CKD in Saudi Arabia. It calls for a comprehensive approach that includes these determinants in care strategies to improve patient outcomes and QoL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social contexts (e.g., family, friends) are important in predicting and preventing loneliness in middle childhood (MC) and adolescence; however, these social contexts were disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Comparison of social context factors that may differentially contribute to loneliness at each developmental stage (MC vs. adolescence) during the COVID-19 pandemic have been overlooked. This study examined longitudinal predictors of loneliness, including social contexts and COVID-19 impact, within MC (8-12y) and adolescence (13-17y). Parents reported on demographic information, and their children completed surveys on COVID-19 impact, loneliness, and family functioning using the COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Survey (CEFIS), the NIH Toolbox Loneliness (Ages 8-17) measure, and the PROMIS Family Relationships Short Form 4a measure, respectively. Regression models examined time one (T1; May-June 2020) predictors of time two (T2; November 2020-January 2021) MC child (n=92, Mage=10.03) and adolescent (n=56, Mage=14.66) loneliness. For the MC child model, significant predictors of higher loneliness included worse family functioning as well as higher COVID-19 impact and lower family income. On the other hand, higher adolescent loneliness was significantly predicted by not having married/partnered parents and was marginally significantly predicted by higher COVID-19 impact. The regression model with the full sample and interaction terms revealed no significant interactions, but that lower family functioning and higher COVID-19 impact were significant predictors of higher loneliness. Lower family income and lower in-person communication were marginally significant predictors of higher loneliness in the combined interaction model. Lastly, further exploratory mediation analyses displayed that family functioning significantly mediated the relationship between COVID-19 impact and T2 loneliness only for MC children and the full sample. Results support future interventions focused on optimizing family functioning to help mitigate MC loneliness in the context of adversity, such as a global pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Violence is a key mechanism in the reproduction of community disadvantage. The existing evidence indicates that violence in a community impacts the intergenerational mobility of its residents. The current study explores the possibility of a reverse relationship. This study provisionally tests the hypothesis that depressed intergenerational mobility in a community may also spark subsequent community violence. We deploy a county measure of intergenerational mobility captured during early adulthood for a cohort of youth born between 1980 and 1986 and raised in low-income families [R. Chetty, N. Hendren, Quart. J. Econom. 133, 1163-1228 (2018)]. We model the relationship between county mobility scores and two county-level outcomes: violent crime and homicide. We find that a county's level of intergenerational mobility as measured by the Chetty-Hendren data is a major predictor of its rate of violent crime and homicide in 2008, when the youth in Chetty's mobility cohort were young adults (the same age the mobility measure was captured). In fact, mobility is a significantly stronger and more consistent predictor of community violent crime and homicide rates than more commonly used factors like poverty, inequality, unemployment, and law enforcement presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The impact of self-efficacy and health literacy skills on pregnant women's adherence to urinary tract infection (UTI) preventive behaviors is inadequately investigated. Thus, the present study explored whether an educational intervention based on self-efficacy and health literacy skills managed to improve UTI preventive behaviors among pregnant women. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted from January to July 2021 among pregnant women residing in Mashhad, Iran. To this aim, 110 pregnant women at a gestational age of 12–18 weeks were randomly assigned to a control (n = 55) and an intervention group (n = 55) and completed all questionnaires during the intervention and the 3-month follow-up. The intervention group received the full training program, comprising six 2-hourly training sessions. Results: Most women were from low-income families (69.1%), were housewives (74.5%) with high school education or lower (63.6%). The theory-based intervention had a significant effect (P < 0·05) on UTI preventive behavior outcomes (i.e., clothing habits, nutrition, urination, health, and sexual behaviors) in the intervention group compared with the control group after intervention, and in their variation from baseline to follow-up in all scores. Conclusions: An educational intervention based on health literacy skills and self-efficacy could be an effective theory-based intervention to improve UTI preventive behaviors and reduce recurrent UTI and complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Examine the effect of childhood adversity on depression in older adults and the regulatory impact that social participation has on depression. Methods: Based on 6,704 standard-compliant research subjects, single factor analysis, multiple linear regression model, and tendency score matching were used to analyze the impact of childhood adversity on depression in older adults and the regulatory effect of social participation. Results: The depression rate is higher among women, young age, low education, unmarried, in agricultural households, older adults with low annual income, preretirement work type in agriculture, non-drinking, and those with two or more chronic diseases (p < 0.05). Children who experienced adversity as children are more likely to suffer from depression as adults (β = 0.513, 0.590, 0.954, 0.983, 1.221, 0.953, 0.718; p < 0.05). Through the tendency score, the result is matched with the endogenous test. As well, older adults are more likely to suffer psychological damage from a greater number of childhood adversities in their early years (β = 1.440, 2.646, 4.122; p < 0.001). It has been shown that social participation will reduce the negative impact of low-income family economic circumstances on depression among older adults of all ages (β = -0.459,-0.567; p < 0.01), aggravate depression resulting from "neighborhood void of mutual assistance" and "no more fun to play" for older adults of all ages (β = 1.024, 0.894; p < 0.01), and exacerbate depression resulting from "loneliness because there are no friends" for the oldest old (β = 0.476, 0.779; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Older adults who experience childhood adversity are more likely to suffer from depression. Social participation plays a regulatory role in the relationship between childhood adversity and depression in older adults. For older adults' mental health to improve, family and social adversity should be prevented, and moderate participation in society should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autistic children are prone to experience heightened levels of distress and physiological reactivity to a range of sensory, social, and emotional stimuli. In line with this, multiple studies have demonstrated that autistic children have higher acute cortisol stress responses to adverse or threatening stimuli and altered cortisol awakening responses. However, few studies have examined whether this sensitivity may relate to heightened levels of chronic stress and persistently elevated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity. The measurement of cortisol accumulation in hair is considered a non-invasive biomarker of chronic stress and has been associated with several childhood diseases. Here, we investigated whether hair cortisol concentration in a large sample of autistic children differed from non-autistic children, and after accounting for a range of child, parental and family-level characteristics. Hair cortisol concentration was measured in 307 autistic children and 282 non-autistic controls aged between 2 and 17 years recruited from four Australian states who participated in providing hair samples and demographic data to the Australian Autism Biobank. Independent samples t -test or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted to determine significant differences in the mean hair cortisol concentration (pg/mg) between potential covariates. Primary analysis included multivariable regression modelling of the collapsed sample to identify variables that were significantly associated with hair cortisol concentration after controlling for covariates. We also accounted for the potential interaction of multiple biological (e.g., age, sex, BMI) and psychosocial characteristics at the level of the child, the mother and the father, and the family unit. Our findings suggest that the diagnosis of autism was not a significant predictor of chronic stress, as measured by hair cortisol concentration. However, findings of the multivariable regression analysis showed that key factors such as area of residence (Queensland vs Victorian state of residence) and decrease in child's age were significantly associated with higher hair cortisol concentration whereas lower family income was significantly associated with higher hair cortisol concentration. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that socioeconomic factors such as family annual income affect hair cortisol status in autistic children, indicating that the psychosocial environment may be a potential mediator for chronic stress in autistic children just as it has been demonstrated in non-autistic children. • Largest study internationally measuring hair cortisol levels among autistic children. • Diagnosis of autism alone was not a significant predictor of chronic stress. • Child's age, residence and family income were significant risk factors for stress. • Findings suggest autistic children are impacted by family psychosocial stressors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Instability in early childhood education and care (ECEC) arrangements may have detrimental consequences on children's mental health. This study examined ECEC trajectories in the first 30 months of life for 373 children from low-income families in Toronto. We provide information about patterns of instability and reasons for instability. We also tested whether instability in ECEC was related to children's mental health using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Five main profiles of ECEC stability were identified: (1) 8% in Home-Only, (2) 56.3% in Home-Center, (3) 8.0% in Home-Center-Home, (4) 5.9% in In-and-Out, and (5) 20.9% in Home-Multiple-Centers. Frequently mentioned reasons for change were a new baby in the family, availability of grandparents, quality of ECEC and family relocation. Families in these different profiles had similar demographic characteristics. Of the five profiles, children in the Home-Center-Home profile had a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing mental health problems compared to the Home-Center and Home-Multiple-Centers groups. These findings have important implications for future research, policy and practice related to ECEC availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research Findings: In the context of parent-child book sharing, cultural influences on cognitive distancing language and associations with child executive function (EF) have been understudied. This study examined cultural group similarities/differences in parent and child book-sharing distancing language among preschool-aged dual language learners from low-income Mexican American (MA) and Chinese American (CA) families. We further tested concurrent relations between parent/child distancing language and children's EF. The sample consisted of 88 children (45 MAs, 43 CAs, age = 38–68 months) enrolled in Head Start preschools and their parents. To assess distancing language, utterances were coded for cognitive demand and classified as referential (low demand), behavioral (moderate demand), or inferential (high demand). Cognitive tasks tapping inhibitory control and cognitive flexibility were used to assess child EF. Results showed parents and children from both cultural groups produced comparable numbers of story-related utterances. MA dyads used higher proportions of parent/child inferential statements and a lower proportion of parent referential questions. The proportions of parent behavioral questions and child behavioral statements were positively related to child cognitive flexibility. Practice or Policy: Findings highlight heterogeneity in parent-child verbal interactions among low-income multilingual families and have implications for promoting preschoolers' cognitive/language development in diverse populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A deeper understanding of low-income and first-generation college student experiences is essential to advancing diversity and equity in higher education. Due to a significant gap in college enrollment and graduation rates for low-income and first-generation college students, specifically after COVID-19, it is important to identify factors affecting their success. The Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) Program at New Mexico Tech (NMT) supports high school students who are either first-generation college students and/or from low-income families to prepare them with the skills and motivation necessary to complete high school and enter and succeed in a program of postsecondary education. These students face unique challenges during their time at college. To identify the factors that affect the success of these students, we surveyed several of our UBMS program participants who chose to attend NMT after completing high school. All participants said support from UBMS staff was critical when starting college at NMT. Participants also mention building a support system with their fellow UBMS alumni to deal with the struggles that being at STEM-focused institutions brings. This study also resulted in several suggestions for faculty and staff members to improve academic outcomes for all students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores women's post-war political activism in Britain between 1945 and 1997, highlighting the diverse causes and methods used by women activists. It challenges the notion of feminism as the sole focus of women's activism and advocates for a more inclusive view of women's political participation. The article emphasizes the importance of continuity and institutional memory in women's activism and calls for further research on the involvement of women who are not white, heterosexual, or able-bodied. The collection of references and acknowledgements provides valuable insights into the experiences and contributions of women in British society, covering topics such as suffrage movements, women's organizations, gender and politics, and women in different time periods. The authors are researchers and historians who have published works on various aspects of women's history and express gratitude for the support they have received. [Extracted from the article]

Effective marginal tax rates are of interest to policymakers due to the concern that high rates lead to disincentives to work, particularly for secondary earners in couple families and single parents who pay personal income tax and lose government welfare payments as their private income increases. Hypothetical models of the tax and welfare system demonstrate the possibility of high effective marginal tax rates particularly for secondary earners in lower income families where personal income tax intersects with the loss of means‐tested welfare payment. This paper estimates effective marginal tax rates across the whole working‐age population, rather than for hypothetical families, using a microsimulation model based on a nationally representative sample of Australians. These distributional estimates suggest that high and very high effective marginal tax rates are relatively rare and that most persons of a working‐age face rates that are relatively modest. The paper extends previous work on distributional effective marginal tax rates to include the impact of formal childcare and the higher education loan program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the 2010s, new family benefits were introduced in Hungary, focusing on large families to halt population decline. However, poverty reduction became sidelined, as these schemes benefited higher‐income earners. Based on poverty statistics, the article investigates how two family types associated with a higher risk of poverty—large families and single‐parent families—fare under this new selective pronatalist system. Furthermore, based on new representative national survey data, the article explores public support for the reforms. Although the income poverty rate for large families significantly decreased during the 2010s, it remained persistently high for single‐parent families, especially large single‐parent families. The findings indicate strong public support for state assistance to large, single‐parent and poor families and state pronatalism. However, the public prioritises support for poor, single‐parent families. This underscores a partial mismatch between public attitudes and government policy. Nonetheless, this policy probably secured public legitimacy, chiefly due to the general support for state pronatalism and large families, which were vigorously implemented in family policies, albeit selectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Depression during pregnancy can put strain on pregnant women's interpersonal relationships, the formation of emotional bonds with the fetus, and the adaptation to the new routine and social role post-pregnancy. Some studies have associated socioeconomic factors, emotional factors, interpersonal relationships, perceived social support, gestational risk, and the occurrence of certain diseases during pregnancy with higher risk of depression. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of depression during pregnancy and associated factors in low- and high-risk prenatal patients at a Brazilian university hospital. Methods: This study presents a retrospective and prospective cross-sectional design. A total of 684 prenatal psychological analysis records from a Brazilian tertiary university service were retrospectively evaluated to assess depression through the PRIME-MD questionnaire between 2002--2017. Between 2017 and 2018, 76 patients treated at the same service were prospectively evaluated with the aforementioned instrument. Medical records were accessed to obtain labor and birth data. Multivariate analyses assessed the association between sociodemographic, gestational or obstetric, and health variables and the presence of depression during pregnancy. Results: A total of 760 pregnant women were included in the study, with a depression prevalence of 20.66% (n = 157). At the time of assessment, 48 (21.05%) women from the low-risk pregnancy group and 109 (20.49%) from the high-risk pregnancy group were depressed. The mean age was 30.01 ± 6.55 years in the group with depression and 29.81 ± 6.50 years in the group without depression. In the univariate analysis, there was an association of risk for depression with absence of paid work, absence of a partner, low family income and diagnosis of epilepsy, being a protective factor the presence of diabetes during pregnancy. However, in the multivariate analysis, a lower family income, not having a partner at the time of the assessment, and the prevalence of epilepsy were independently associated with an increased risk of depression during pregnancy. Conclusion: This study showed that 1 in 5 women had depression during pregnancy, with no association with obstetric risk, but those women living in unfavorable economic conditions, without a partner, and having epilepsy were at increased risk of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accessible Summary The Relevance of Our Study to Mental Health Nursing What is known on the subject? What this paper adds to existing knowledge? What are the implications for practice? Summary Statement of Implications for Practice What Does This Research Add to Existing Knowledge of Cyberbullying Among Adolescents? What are the Implications of This New Knowledge for Nursing Care with Adolescents? How Could the Findings Influence Policy, Practice, Research, or Education? Background Methods Results Conclusion Patient or Public Contribution Implications for Nursing Practice The study's findings are crucial for mental health nursing, as they highlight the significant impact of cyberbullying on adolescents' mental health in Egypt. By establishing a clear link between cyberbullying, family income, and mental health issues such as anxiety, stress, and depression, the research underscores the need for targeted interventions and support systems. Mental health nurses can utilize this information to develop effective prevention and treatment strategies, advocate for policy changes, and educate families and communities. Addressing cyberbullying and its effects can lead to improved mental health outcomes, demonstrating the critical role of mental health nursing in supporting affected adolescents. This study brings attention to the widespread occurrence of cyberbullying among adolescents in Egypt and its substantial impact on their mental health. The research indicates that cyberbullying, along with family income, collectively explains more than 60% of the variation in mental health. These results underscore the importance of developing strategies to address cyberbullying and taking socioeconomic factors into account when addressing mental health issues in adolescents. School nurses should be knowledgeable about the prevalence and effects of cyberbullying on the mental well‐being of teenagers. They need to be equipped to recognize signs of cyberbullying and associated mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Educating adolescents, parents, and school staff about the dangers of cyberbullying and prevention methods is a crucial role that school nurses can play. This may involve teaching safe internet usage, promoting open communication about online experiences, and encouraging positive online behaviour. When evaluating mental health needs and planning care for adolescents, school nurses should consider their economic status. They should advocate for resources and assistance for low‐income families to help alleviate the impact of financial stress on mental health. It is important to introduce policies that provide financial support to families with lower incomes, as the research has shown a strong connection between a family's monthly income and its members' mental well‐being. Educational institutions, including schools, should introduce programs to prevent bullying, with a specific focus on cyberbullying. It would be beneficial for researchers to explore the effectiveness of various interventions in reducing cyberbullying and improving mental health outcomes. It is crucial to integrate education on cyberbullying into school curricula in order to raise awareness about this issue and to teach students how to respond if they or someone they know becomes a victim of cyberbullying. Educating parents and teachers about the indicators of cyberbullying and its potential impact on mental health is important so that they can offer support to adolescents who are experiencing cyberbullying. Further research is needed to address other covariates that could impact cyberbullying, such as addictive personality traits, impulsive seeking behaviours, and parenting styles. Cyberbullying, a significant concern in today's digital age, has a profound impact on teenagers' mental health, leading to stress, depression, anxiety, low self‐esteem, and, in severe cases, suicidal ideation. This study aimed to explore the effects of cyberbullying on adolescents' mental health.The study employed a cross‐sectional descriptive research design conducted at five public secondary schools in El‐Beheira governorate, Egypt. A total of 500 students were selected through a multistage sampling technique, yielding a response rate of 96%. The instruments used for data collection were the European Cyberbullying Intervention Project Questionnaire and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale‐21.The findings revealed that 27.4% and 32.0% of respondents reported high levels of victimization and cyberaggression, respectively. Furthermore, 72.2%, 44%, and 52.6% of students exhibited severe to extremely severe levels of anxiety, stress, and depression, respectively. The study also found that cyberbullying and family monthly income accounted for 61.6% of the variance in stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms (adjusted R2 = .614).The study concludes that cyberbullying is a prevalent issue among adolescents in Egypt, with a majority of students experiencing moderate to high levels of cybervictimization and aggression. This leads to varying degrees of anxiety, stress, and depression. The study also established a significant relationship between cyberbullying and mental health issues among adolescents. Moreover, both cyberbullying and family monthly income were found to significantly influence mental health, with higher levels of cyberbullying and lower income associated with increased stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.No Patient or Public Contribution.It is important for nurses working with adolescents to have an understanding of how common cyberbullying is and how it can affect mental health. They should receive training to be able to recognize signs of cyberbullying and mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and stress. Nurses can teach adolescents, parents, and school staff about its dangers and ways to prevent cyberbullying. This may involve educating adolescents on safe internet practices, promoting open communication about online experiences, and encouraging positive online behaviour. Lastly, considering the strong connection between income and mental health, nurses should also take into account the socioeconomic status of adolescents when assessing their mental health needs and planning care. They should work to secure resources and support for low‐income families to help alleviate the impact of financial stress on mental health. Additionally, further research is needed to address other covariates that could impact cyberbullying, such as addictive personality traits, impulsive seeking behaviours, and parenting styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parents of children on the autism spectrum often face great challenges in the care of their child. Early support tailored to families' individual needs is therefore crucial for the development and quality of life of both children on the autism spectrum and their families. However, to date it is unclear whether the support available meets the parents' needs. Study Aim: To investigate how the system of care, support, and therapies for children on the autism spectrum is perceived by their parents. Method: A total of 57 parents of Swiss children on the autism spectrum participated in an online survey, and 20 of them participated in additional semi-structured interviews. Results: We found that parents of children on the autism spectrum may face substantial challenges and that social support is essential. Two thirds of the participating parents reported a long and difficult diagnostic process as challenging, and 60% expressed their need for closer follow-up after diagnosis and more support. Only one third of the parents stated that they manage their everyday lives well, whereas 17.5% felt exhausted, and more than half of the parents responded that they felt challenged. One fifth indicated that they had poor family support, and half reported substantial financial challenges. At the same time, most families also emphasize how important their neurodivergent children are to the family's life together. Conclusion: It is important that primary pediatricians not only initiate the diagnostic process, but also assess the different needs of the different family independent of the diagnosis and, if necessary, initiate adequate measures or guide parents to institutions in charge. Parents who do not actively express their individual needs should nevertheless be advised about support services, including financial counseling. The positive aspects mentioned by families can be emphasized and used as resources to improve their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper critically examines the neo-liberal conceptualization of Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICTD), which imposes the linear and simplistic notions of empowerment and development on the users from the global South. Using the rapidly growing EdTech segment in India as a case, this paper observes that EdTech has been touted as a magic multiplier and a savior for countries like India that aspire to educate their large populations. This has prompted EdTech companies to pursue platformization and templatization to accomplish scalability and standardization in EdTech use. Based on immersive ethnographic research with youth from low-income families in three Indian cities—Ahmedabad, Delhi, and Vadodara—we argue that the practices of young people concerning EdTech resist standardization. Our analysis reveals that three major factors—challenges of access and autonomy, continued relevance of place-based learning and in-person interactions, and uneven quality and rigor—influence low-income students and families to not completely buy the promise of access, equity, and quality that EdTech companies and governments advance. We explore the significance of the socio-economic and cultural contexts of young learners in the global South context and argue that they aspire for personalization, place-based experiences, guidance/mentorship, high grades, and in-person interactions instead of standardization. They do not fully benefit by the experimentation, DIY practices, and tech-lead learning opportunities and resources offered by EdTech platforms in their current state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumption of sugary beverages by children has increased in most countries, this high consumption is one of the main aggravating factors for the development of chronic diseases. The objective of the study was to identify the frequency of consumption of sugary beverages in the family environment. Cross-sectional study, carried out in 2018-19 with children from Municipal Schools of Early Childhood Education in Pelotas-RS. A food frequency questionnaire was used to verify the consumption of sugary beverages. The analysis consisted of the sample description and chisquare test and linear trend, with a significance level of 5%. 548 children were studied, 76.6% consumed sugary beverages four days or more a week. The consumption of soft drinks was 40.2% and was positively associated with greater screen time and when meals were in front of screens. Powdered or boxed juice was consumed by 63.0% and was more frequent among boys and according to increasing age, more time in front of screens, mothers with less education and lower family income. Powdered chocolate powder was consumed by 31.2% and more frequently as the child's age and screen time increased and with lower maternal education and family income in the 2nd tertile. Similar to these findings, other studies found a high prevalence of consumption of these drinks among children. The consumption of sugary beverages is high and the results point to the need for food and nutrition education interventions for families of these children, especially for mothers with less schooling and lower income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shadow education, known as private tutoring, is expanding rapidly worldwide. While mainstream studies explain shadow education from a family-centered perspective, this study focuses on the role of the school. Using data from the China Panel Education Survey, this study discerns that active communications between schools and families can elicit private tutoring involvement. The school-initiated communications yield more positive and significant effects when schools impose heightened assessment pressure on teachers, suggesting an inextricable linkage between shadow education and formal schooling. The school effect is also more pronounced for economically disadvantaged families. These findings provide important insights for understanding how schools shape social stratification in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purposes: This scoping review aims to determine the family factors that influenced the occurrence of bullying among adolescents in Asian countries. Therefore, the research questions behind this review are as follows: What protective factors and risk factor are known to influence bullying among adolescent in Asian countries? Method: This study used PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews reporting guidelines. Search strategy in this study employs four electronic databases resources, SAGE, Springerlink, Science Direct, and Proquest. Result: Researchers compiled previous relevant quantitative and qualitative research to investigate family as a protective factor and a risk factor for adolescent bullying. The search on the database resulted in 28 studies published from 2012 to 2021 which have been analyzed. Parental bonding was the most common protective factor found in the literature, followed by warm parenting, parental involvement, parents' support and acceptance. The risk factors for bullying included slapping, authoritarian parenting, parental control, weak family attachment, parental neglect, poor parental support, and poor communication with family. Applications/Originality/Value: The conclusion from this research is the scoping review results revealed that family variables became the protective and risk factors for adolescent bullying in the Asian context. The findings suggested that family was also an influential factor in adolescent bullying in the Asian context, in line with previous relevant studies in Western countries. However, the bonding with parents as a protective factor against bullying for adolescents in Asia might be explored further by employing collectivist cultural studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noting the importance of food assistance programs to low income families in New York City (NYC), the research questions for the present study were: (1) What are the facilitators and barriers to social service utilization for food pantry clients in the South Bronx?, and (2) Does receiving food pantry services serve as a point of entry for social service utilization? We surveyed 218 food pantry clients at a community-based, social service organization based in the South Bronx. Our findings indicate that being aware of local social services was the strongest predictor for utilizing social services. Social service utilization was also predicted by high use of the food pantry (weekly or more); high levels of food insecurity, depressive symptoms; and the ability to communicate effectively in English. Given rising inflation costs and the continued higher expenses associated with food consumption in the United States generally and in NYC specifically, our findings suggest that food pantry sites in the South Bronx bear the potential to be vital entry points for social service referral and utilization, particularly for the screening and assessment of depressive symptoms. Given these findings, nonprofit leaders and social service funders should prioritize capacity building of food pantries as sites for the delivery of health promotion interventions and social services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine how scope of practice reforms that allow nurse practitioners independent practice authority impact children's health. We exploit spatial and temporal variation in independent practice authority to implement a difference‐in‐differences research design using data from the first three waves of the National Survey of Children's Health. We find that these reforms have significant positive impacts on a commonly used and validated measure of children's health: parental evaluation of child health. As a result of this scope of practice reforms, parental evaluations of overall child health improve as parents increasingly rate their child as having Excellent Health. More importantly, we observe these improvements in health are driven primarily by older children and children from lower family income backgrounds. These findings indicate that an expansion in the supply of healthcare through occupational licensing reform can positively influence health outcomes for children. Such findings have important implications for mitigating child health inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental discipline is an important aspect of a child's socialization and has been adapted over time as social views on disciplinary approaches have changed. Although both parents play a role in carrying out discipline, fathers are frequently viewed as the ultimate disciplinary figure, and their methods are often associated with harsh and aggressive practices. Thus, the recent prohibition of corporal punishment in South Africa has added heightened relevance to the question of how families are currently constructing paternal discipline within the home. The current study sought to explore, from a social constructionist perspective, how family units (comprised of a mother, father, and adolescent child) from three low-income Western Cape communities make meaning of the father's role in discipline. An inductive thematic analysis revealed that traditionally gendered stereotypes prevail in the construction of fathers as the more effective disciplinarian in the household. However, family members' emphasis on fathers' non-violent, gentle disciplinary methods indicates a shift in social expectations, in line with a more emotionally attuned, caring expression of masculinity and fatherhood. The gender of the adolescent was found to influence both the manner in which paternal discipline was conducted and perceived. These findings foreground social tensions between traditionally gendered power relations and roles, and contemporary constructions of a softer, more authoritative paternal disciplinarian in these communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has been established to reduce food insecurity. Limited evidence is available on SNAP participation status over time and depressive symptoms. We aimed to examine the associations of SNAP status over time among low-income individuals, with depressive symptoms in the U.S. NHANES participants aged ≥20 years of low family income from 2011 to 2018 with information available on depressive symptoms and SNAP use were included in analysis. Depressive symptoms were assessed using 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 is indicative of significant depressive symptoms. Multivariable linear and logistic regressions models were conducted to examine the associations of SNAP participation status over time (never receiving SNAP, receiving SNAP prior to >12 months ago, current receiving SNAP, receiving SNAP in the last 12 months but not currently) with depressive symptoms and significant depressive symptoms. Currently receiving SNAP (beta (β) = 0.17, 95 % CI: 0.10, 0.25; odds ratio (OR) = 1.52, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.16, 2.00) and receiving SNAP in the last 12 months but not currently (β = 0.24, 95 % CI: 0.04, 0.43; OR = 1.83, 95 % CI: 1.16, 2.89) were associated with higher depressive symptoms and higher prevalence of significant depressive symptoms. The cross-sectional design precludes causal interpretation, and key variables were measured with self-report. Receiving SNAP in the last 12 months was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms among individuals with low family income. Improvement on diet quality may be important for reducing depressive symptoms among SNAP users. • Recent SNAP participation is associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms among individuals with low family income. • The associations of SNAP participation status and depressive symptoms are more pronounced in certain subgroups. • Future efforts may study improving quality of diet among SNAP recipients for further prevention of health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobility is known to impact health and well-being by reducing social contact, activity participation, and changing time use patterns. These unfortunate effects mostly affect specific demographic segments, including older adults, low income families, people who face disabilities, and those living in conflict zones. Emergency measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic mandated or strongly recommended limitations to mobility, thereby causing this condition for segments of the public not usually characterized by high levels of immobility. In the context of the pandemic, reduced mobility was the non-pharmaceutical intervention of choice, and the evidence suggests that it helped to keep incidences of the disease from exploding. On the other hand, there is also a need to understand how mobility restrictions may have had incidental impacts, including to well-being, in population groups that have not been studied from this perspective before. In this spirit, the present paper uses the items of the Satisfaction with Life Scale to investigate how aspects of well-being changed during the pandemic, using a sample of 400 college and university students in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Analysis is based on multivariate ordered models and the results suggest that being less mobile, less active, and changes in activity time use due COVID-19 had an impact on the satisfaction with life of students. The detrimental effect was more marked for males and students from low-income households. Additionally, perceptions of residential characteristics and sense of belonging also correlate with satisfaction with life in the period under study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Evidence supports the efficacy of Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) interventions such as Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) for treating child behavior problems; however, treatment engagement and outcomes vary across ethnic groups. Risk for poor treatment engagement and outcomes may be attributed in part to misalignment between parent explanatory model components (PEMs) and the traditional BPT model, including treatment expectations, etiological explanations, parenting styles, and family support for treatment. The present study aims to examine whether personalized treatment adaptations addressing these PEM–BPT misalignments reduce risk for poor treatment engagement and outcomes. Methods: The authors previously utilized the PersIn framework to develop a personalized version of PCIT (MY PCIT) that assesses these PEMs in order to identify families at risk for poor treatment engagement and outcomes. Families were identified as high risk (due to PEM–BPT misalignment) and low risk (meaning those without identified PEM–BPT misalignment) for specific PEMs. Families at elevated risk then received tailored treatment materials designed to improve alignment between the parental explanatory model and the PCIT treatment explanatory model. A recent pilot trial of MY PCIT demonstrated positive treatment outcomes; however, the extent to which adaptations were successful in reducing the underlying risk factors has not yet been examined. Results: Findings demonstrate that the personalization approach was effective in reducing indicators of risk, and that families who were initially at high and low risk during pre-treatment reported similar levels of treatment engagement and outcomes by post-treatment. Conclusions: The findings suggest that this personalized approach has the potential to reduce risk associated with poor treatment engagement and outcomes for culturally diverse families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Families from socioeconomically deprived backgrounds appear to have been greatly impacted and face worsening inequalities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. With more than half of children in Newham, East London, living in poverty, this study aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns on families with a child under 5 years-old in Newham and identify their immediate needs to inform recovery efforts. Subjects and methods: This was a qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 participants (2 fathers; 11 mothers) exploring the impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns on family life, neighbourhood and community and important relationships in the child's world. Results: All parents experienced significant impacts on family life and well-being because of the pandemic. Families were placed under increased stress and were concerned about the impacts on child development. Low-income families were most disadvantaged, experiencing lack of professional support, community engagement and inadequate housing. Conclusion: Families were placed under increasing pressure during the pandemic and recovery efforts need to target those most affected, such as families from low-income households. Recovery efforts should target child social and language development, family mental health, professional service engagement and community involvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employment and earnings instability is common, particularly among low-income families, and can interfere with child-care arrangements. Child-care subsidies are designed to support parents' labor force participation and earnings, but the subsidy program's reach is limited, and enrollment may be hindered by changes in parents' employment or income; in turn, changes in child-care subsidy participation may lead to changes in parents' employment status, hours, or earnings. This study uses longitudinal administrative data from 2016 to 2019 on quarterly employment and earnings and child-care subsidy program participation from Virginia to examine associations between household subsidy receipt and parents' earnings and employment outcomes. Parental employment and earnings increased in the quarters following initial subsidy receipt, which then became stable. Among working parents, we find increased job and earnings stability in the quarters of subsidy receipt but increased multiple jobholding. Findings highlight the importance of child-care subsidies for the employment outcomes of low-income families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Niger, a country in Western Africa, has the highest fertility rate in the world, with a total fertility rate of 6.7 in 2023. It is classified as a "least developed country" with a low human development index. The United Nations predicts that Niger's population will reach 67 million by 2050, more than doubling its current population. However, achieving sustainable development goals in Niger, such as reducing poverty and improving education and healthcare, will be challenging due to its high population growth and limited resources. The country also faces issues such as high child marriage rates, adolescent fertility, and low contraceptive use. To harness its demographic dividend, Niger needs to address challenges like low education, high unemployment, and gender inequalities. [Extracted from the article]

The 2015 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study in Brazil is a comprehensive research project that investigates the determinants of health and development in children. The study includes follow-ups at different ages and assesses the impact of COVID-19. The research covers various areas such as violence, psychosocial development, stress, sleep patterns, and the effects of the pandemic. The study has a diverse range of participants and has collected new biomarkers and assessments. The assessments conducted at different stages of the children's development cover a wide range of measures, including socioeconomic characteristics, health, parenting practices, child development, and mental health. The study found both positive changes and negative trends in social and environmental determinants of health over a 33-year period. The study's strengths include high response and follow-up rates, as well as comprehensive data collection, but there are limitations such as limited data from fathers and a low response rate for the COVID-19 study. The data from the study are available for collaborative research proposals. [Extracted from the article]