scholarly journals Voluntary or Involuntary Childlessness? Socio-Demographic Factors and Childlessness Intentions among Childless Finnish Men and Women aged 25-44

2010 ◽  
pp. 5-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anneli Miettinen
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Voluntarily Childless ◽  
Voluntary Childlessness ◽  
Ideal Number ◽  
Intentional Childlessness ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
Personal Accounts

Lifetime childlessness is expected to increase in the future. Recent research suggests that also voluntary childlessness in increasing among young adults. As childbearing decisions are increasingly based on individual preferences and choices it is believed that also those who do not favor family life with children can now more freely express their preferences. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of voluntary childlessness among Finnish young adults and factors associated with it. Data come from Finnish Social Relationships and Well-being Survey, conducted in 2008 among 25-44-year-old childless or one-child men and women. This study focuses on childless respondents (N=1244). Two types of intentional childlessness are distinguished. Persons are classified as voluntarily childless if they do not intend to have children and prefer life without children. Those, who also have no intentions to have children, but whose personal ideal number of children is above zero are defined as persons who have relinquished parenthood intentions. Childhood characteristics are found to predict voluntary childlessness more, while socioeconomic circumstances and lack of a suitable partner explain relinquished parenthood intentions. Respondents personal accounts on the reasons behind their childbearing choices support the findings from multivariate analyses.

scholarly journals Childlessness Intentions and Ideals in Europe

2014 ◽  
Vol 49 ◽  
pp. 31-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anneli Miettinen ◽  
Ivett Szalma
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Low Socioeconomic ◽  
Personal Preference ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Ideal Family ◽  
Ideal Number ◽  
Intentional Childlessness ◽  
Using Data ◽  
The Individual

Using data from Eurobarometer Surveys 2001–2011 we examine trends and correlates of childlessness intentions and ideals across Europe over the past decade. We distinguish childlessness as a personal preference (personal ideal number of children is zero) from intended childlessness (intention to have no children) as these reflect somewhat different dimensions of childlessness as a conscious decision. We find that, on average, childlessness as a personal preference is relatively rare in Europe, although in some western European countries a sizeable proportion of young adults express a desire to have no children. Intentional childlessness is slightly more common than ideal childlessness is, since about 11% of currently childless young adults aged 18 to 40 years in Europe intend to have no children. We analyse factors related to childlessness intentions and ideals on the individual and country levels. A weaker individual socioeconomic position influences the intention to remain childless through various channels, such as unemployment or low socioeconomic status. Associations between individual’s social position and ideal childlessness are less clear. Results also indicate that macro-economic conditions do not have a direct impact on intentional childlessness, whereas a higher prevalence of traditional family values in a country is related to a lower likelihood of individuals considering childlessness to be their ideal family form.

Smartphone interactions and mental well-being in young adults: A longitudinal study based on objective high-resolution smartphone data

2020 ◽  
pp. 140349482092041
Author(s):  
Agnete Skovlund Dissing ◽  
Naja Hulvej Rod ◽  
Thomas A. Gerds ◽  
Rikke Lund
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Large Network ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Disturbed Sleep ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Over Time

Aims: To investigate the effects of objectively measured smartphone interactions on indicators of mental well-being among men and women in a population of young adults. Methods: A total of 816 young adults (mean±SD age 21.6±2.6 years; 77% men) from the Copenhagen Network Study were followed with objective recordings of smartphone interactions from calls, texts and social media. Participants self-reported on loneliness, depressive symptoms and disturbed sleep at baseline and in a four-month (interquartile range 75–163 days) follow-up survey. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the association between smartphone interactions and mental well-being separately for men and women. Results: A higher number of smartphone interactions was associated with lower levels of loneliness at baseline and the same pattern appeared for depressive symptoms, although this was less pronounced. A high level of smartphone interaction was associated with lower levels of disturbed sleep for men, but not for women. In follow-up analyses, a high versus low level of smartphone interaction was associated with an increase in loneliness and depressive symptoms over time for women, but not for men. Conclusions: Smartphone interactions are related to better mental well-being, which may be attributed to the beneficial effects of an underlying social network. Over time, accommodating a large network via smartphone communication might, however, have negative effects on mental well-being for women.

scholarly journals GENDER ROLES AND DIMENSIONS OF FAMILY FUNCTIONING AS PREDICTORS OF SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING IN MEN AND WOMEN

TEME ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 681
Author(s):  
Miljana Spasić Šnele ◽  
Jelisaveta Todorović ◽  
Miroslav Komlenić
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Family Functioning ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Positive Affectivity ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Masculinity And Femininity ◽  
The Family

Subjective well-being (a positive attitude towards life and positive affectivity) as an important indicator of mental health attracts a lot of attention in the field of positive psychology. For the sake of improving mental health, research was mainly focused on identifying factors related to it. So far, findings indicate there is a need for a better understanding of the characteristics of both individual and family environments.  To that end, the aim of this study was to examine gender differences and what contributes to the subjective well-being of men and women. The study examined gender roles, masculinity and femininity, aspects of family functioning, education and the number of children. The sample included 1417 respondents who are married or in a relationship (586 men, 802 women), and the following questionnaires were used: a shorter versions of the Subjective Well-Being Scale, the Masculinity and Femininity Scale and the Family Functioning Scale, as part of the larger PORPOS2 battery. The results showed that masculinity and femininity, and adequate communication in the family are important indicators of a positive attitude towards the life of both genders. Masculinity and satisfaction with communication play a significant role when it comes to the positive affectivity in both men and women. The level of cohesiveness also plays an important role in the subjective well-being of men, and the number of children is a negative predictor of both dimensions of subjective well-being in women. Based on these results, we can conclude that a better understanding of the subjective well-being of men and women requires a more focused approach, which can be important in both research and psychotherapeutic work.

scholarly journals Social contexts of fertility desire among non-childbearing young men and women aged 15–24 years in Nigeria

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joshua O. Akinyemi ◽  
Clifford O. Odimegwu
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Young Men ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Large Family ◽  
Wealth Index ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Ideal Number

Abstract Background Reduction in ideal number of children has been suggested as a necessary precursor for fertility decline especially in high fertility countries of Western and Central Africa. In this study, we explored the social contexts of fertility desires by documenting the effects of individual, household as well as contextual characteristics among young men and women in Nigeria. Methods Data source was the male and female recode file of 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Analytical sample comprised 2674 males and 9637 females aged 15–24 years. The main outcome variable was desire for large family size (DLFS) defined as ideal number of children greater than four. Analysis involved use of descriptive statistics and random-effect logit models fitted in four stages. Results DLFS was 71% among young men and 53% in women. Individual-level factors associated with DLFS among men includes Islam religion (OR = 3.95, CI 2.68–5.83), household size (OR = 1.05) and richer (OR = 0.47, CI 0.29–0.75) or richest wealth index (OR = 0.28, CI 0.16–0.75). Geo-political region and high level of negative attitude to family planning (OR = 1.72, CI 1.23–2.40) were the main contextual factors associated with DLFS. For women, individual-level correlates were education, religion, ethnicity, marital status, household size, and wealth index. Contextual factors include geo-political region, community education (OR = 0.68, CI 0.52–0.89), child mortality experience (OR = 1.29, CI 1.11–1.51) and negative attitude to family planning (OR = 1.36, CI 1.13–1.65). The influence of religion, household wealth and attitude to family planning differ between young men and women. Conclusion Active communication and programmatic interventions are needed so that desire for large family size by young men and women do not become a clog for fertility transition in Nigeria.

scholarly journals Assertiveness and Fear of Negative Evaluation among Young Adults

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Himaja Prabha P ◽  
Kiran Babu NC
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Negative Evaluation ◽  
Fear Of Negative Evaluation ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Relationship

Assertiveness is an important social skill among Young Adults that enhance their personal well-being. Assertiveness may be influenced by certain variables like Fear of Negative Evaluation, especially in social interaction situations. The purpose of the study was to analyze the relationship between Assertiveness and Fear of Negative Evaluation among Young Adults. The current study was conducted on 174 Young Adults both men and women between the age group of 18-25 years, who are residing in the cities of Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Quantitative approach was used along with Correlational research design was adopted and the sampling technique was purposive. Rathus Assertiveness Schedule (Rathus, 1978) and Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation scale (Leary, 1983) were administered on the participants to assess differences based on gender (men and women). Correlational analysis showed a moderate significant negative correlation between Assertiveness and Fear of Negative Evaluation among Young Adults. Results of t- test showed no significant difference in the level of Assertiveness and Fear of Negative Evaluation between men and women among Young Adults. The results of the study will help to develop interventions for people with low levels of Assertiveness and will also help to develop interventions for people with high levels of Fear of Negative Evaluation.

Remaking Our Identities

2016 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elise J. Matthews ◽  
Michel Desjardins
Keyword(s):  
Life Story ◽  
Reproductive Decisions ◽  
Sociocultural Context ◽  
Heterosexual Couples ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Voluntarily Childless ◽  
Life Trajectories ◽  
Voluntary Childlessness ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Research Findings

Previous qualitative research findings have discussed motivations, decision-making, stigma, and resistance to pronatalism among voluntarily childless (VC) men and women. The current study placed such elements of the lifeworlds of VC individuals and dyads within the context of a life story of (re)making of the VC identity. Twelve life history and semistructured interviews with six VC men and women in three heterosexual couples in Canada were analyzed using thematic analysis. The VC choice was expressed as a decision to accept one’s essential voluntary childlessness. The construction of the VC participants’ bodies through their stories entailed episodes of conflict and resistance central to gendered experiences. We propose that this pattern of themes, in a pronatalist sociocultural context, points to a remaking of the figure of an extraordinary person from childhood, through to their current partnership, and into the future. These findings have implications for practitioners working with VC couples as they construct their identities, partnerships, reproductive decisions, life trajectories, and life projects.

Civic Engagement and Well-Being: Examining a Mediational Model Across Gender

2021 ◽  
pp. 089011712110012
Author(s):  
Natalie Fenn ◽  
Mark L. Robbins ◽  
Lisa Harlow ◽  
Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Civic Engagement ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Meaning In Life ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Engagement Behavior

Purpose: The relationship between civic engagement and mental health is generally positive, yet particularly complex among those from low socioeconomic backgrounds and women. The current study examined pathways between civic engagement and well-being to clarify its merit as a health promotional tool for young adults. Design: Cross-sectional design using an online questionnaire. Setting: Participants were recruited at a mid-sized Northeastern US university. Sample: Participants ( N = 438) were primarily White (78%) and female (72%). Measures: Demographics, socioeconomic status, civic engagement behavior, well-being, meaning in life, self-efficacy toward service, and social support. Analysis: Structural equation modeling to test an a priori model of civic engagement behavior and well-being in young adults. Models were conducted across men and women, covarying for social support. Results: The full effects model fit well, demonstrating positive relationships between civic engagement and well-being for both men and women with mediation by service self-efficacy and meaning in life (χ2(2) = 1.05, p = .59; CFI = 1.0; RMSEA = .00, 90% CI [.00, .07]; R 2 = .46). Type of engagement (civic, electoral, sociopolitical) showed mixed results in relation to well-being. Conclusion: Civic activity was associated with well-being when mediated by service self-efficacy while sociopolitical voice correlated to stronger well-being when mediated by meaning in life. Future longitudinal studies should be conducted among more socioeconomically diverse populations to verify the role of civic engagement in health promotion.

The well-being of young adults in the “Next America”.

2015 ◽  
Vol 85 (5, Suppl) ◽  
pp. S4-S13
Author(s):  
Paul Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Well Being

The Relationship between Body Image and Exercise Adherence in Fitness Centre Exercising Sample

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (80) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasa Jankauskienė ◽  
Brigita Miežienė
Keyword(s):  
Body Image ◽  
Exercise Adherence ◽  
Physical Activity Promotion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Physique Anxiety ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Activity Promotion ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Body Self ◽  
The Relationship

Research background and hypothesis. The analysis of factors which might infl uence exercise adherence is important issue for physical activity promotion. Studies show that exercisers’ body image is important factor associated with well being, exercise motivation and specifi c exercise–related behaviour.Research aim was is to examine the relationship between exercise adherence, body image and social physique anxiety in a sample of fi tness centre participants. Research methods. Members of fi tness centres (n = 217, 66 of them were women) provided their answers on exercise experience, in three subscales (appearance evaluation, appearance orientation and overweight preoccupation) of The Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ-AS; Brown et al., 1990) and Social Physique Anxiety Scale (SPAS; Hart et al., 1989). Mean age of the sample was 29.02 (9.85) years (range = 18–68 years).Research results. Women demonstrated higher appearance orientation, overweight preoccupation and social physique anxiety compared to men. However, we observed no signifi cant differences in appearance evaluation, appearance orientation and overweight preoccupation in the groups of different exercise experience of men and women. When overweight respondents (≥ 25 kg / m²) were excluded from the analysis, there were no statistically signifi cant differences observed in body image and social physique anxiety in exercise experience groups of men and women. Exercising longer than 6 years signifi cantly predicted overweight preoccupation [95% CI: 1.25–16.94] controlled by age and gender. Discussion and conclusions. Exercising men demonstrated more positive body image and lower social physique anxiety compared to women, except for appearance evaluation. There were observed no body image and social physique relationships with exercise adherence observed in the sample of fi tness centre participants, however, exercise experience longer than 6 years predicted overweight preoccupation.Keywords: body image concerns, exercise experience, self-presentation.

Heritage

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Shaikh ◽  
Stefano Bonino
Keyword(s):  
Facial Expressions ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Online Video ◽  
The South ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
The Public ◽  
Video Footage ◽  
Community Heritage ◽  
Personal Accounts ◽  
The Way

The Colourful Heritage Project (CHP) is the first community heritage focused charitable initiative in Scotland aiming to preserve and to celebrate the contributions of early South Asian and Muslim migrants to Scotland. It has successfully collated a considerable number of oral stories to create an online video archive, providing first-hand accounts of the personal journeys and emotions of the arrival of the earliest generation of these migrants in Scotland and highlighting the inspiring lessons that can be learnt from them. The CHP’s aims are first to capture these stories, second to celebrate the community’s achievements, and third to inspire present and future South Asian, Muslim and Scottish generations. It is a community-led charitable project that has been actively documenting a collection of inspirational stories and personal accounts, uniquely told by the protagonists themselves, describing at first hand their stories and adventures. These range all the way from the time of partition itself to resettling in Pakistan, and then to their final accounts of arriving in Scotland. The video footage enables the public to see their facial expressions, feel their emotions and hear their voices, creating poignant memories of these great men and women, and helping to gain a better understanding of the South Asian and Muslim community’s earliest days in Scotland.

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