When More IS Too Much: Compound Caregiving, Barriers to Services, and Service Support for Older Families of People With Disabilities

Using the theoretical lens of Family Quality of Life, this study evaluated perceptions of older compound caregivers (i.e., caring for more than one family member) regarding their need for services. Quantitative analysis of cross-sectional data collected from 112 caregivers (50 years and older) demonstrated that compound caregivers faced more barriers in accessing services for their families than noncompound caregivers. Although all caregivers shared similar perceptions on the importance, opportunities, initiative, and attainment of service support for their families, compound caregivers had lower stability and satisfaction than noncompound caregivers. Findings highlight the need to develop support programs to equip older caregivers in managing their daily challenges at the individual and family level.

Latitudinal Gradient of Diversity of Marine Crustaceans: TOWARDS a Synthesis

The latitudinal diversity gradient (LDG) is a phenomenon acknowledged for over two centuries. The LDG of marine crustaceans has been studied often but without reaching consensus on its ultimate causative processes. We have undertaken a new synthesis to assess the generality of the LDG and evaluated how potential sampling and other biases, spatial scale, geographic regions, taxonomic aggregation, and differences between clades affect patterns. A meta-analysis of 186 datasets, encompassing 20 studies and 7 crustacean orders, revealed a strong effect size of the species richness-latitude correlation, supporting the existence of a “canonical” LDG. The effect size was sensitive to spatial scale, with studies conducted over shorter latitudinal ranges tending to show a weaker LDG. Correcting for sampling biases in the number of occurrences, taxonomic completeness and spatial heterogeneity did not affect the strength of the LDG, nor did the degree of taxonomic aggregation; effect sizes were similar at family and ordinal levels. However, between orders effect sizes varied strongly, with peracarid orders (Amphipoda, Cumacea, Isopoda) showing a weaker or inverse LDG compared with non-peracarid orders (Calanoida, Euphausiacea, Decapoda, Sessilia). Additional analyses based on a global dataset of >2 million occurrences of >13,000 species revealed patterns undetected by the meta-analysis, including: (1) the existence of a marked bi-modal LDG, with peaks of diversity in subtropical areas (Calanoidea, Decapoda, Sessilia) and in temperate areas (Amphipoda, Isopoda), (2) interhemispheric asymmetry, variable across groups and depths, and (3) ocean basin differences in the shape of the LDG, dependent on taxonomic clade. Both ecological and evolutionary processes play a part. The fossil record of Decapoda showed that its global canonical LDG can be explained by median and range of the age of genera, i.e., hotspots of diversity harbor both younger and older genera and contain a high proportion of genera originating during the Paleogene. In addition, the effect size was negatively related to family age, the LDG being stronger in older families of early Cenozoic and Mesozoic origin. Modes of larval development also played a significant part, taxa without planktonic larvae having weaker or inverse LDG compared with taxa with pelagic larvae. Because clades with direct development tend to show smaller bathymetric and latitudinal ranges than those with pelagic larvae, differences in diversification rates may be implied. Overall, our evidence suggested that the ultimate causes of the LDG are deeply tied to geographic differences in macro-evolutionary rates, i.e., greater rates of species origin and lower rates of extinction in the tropics than in higher latitudes combined with a strong tropical niche conservatism.

Inherited Charisma and Personal Qualities: Sayyids and religious reform in nineteenth century Multan

It has generally been acknowledged that Sayyids, through their real or imagined connection to the Prophet, have represented a key trans-regional dimension of Islam. In the Punjab, the status of the Ashraf has been reinforced by their role as custodians of the Sufi shrines. In the Multan region, Sayyids and Qureshis acted frequently as pir and sajjada nashin for many Sufi dargahs. Their position, however, did not go unchallenged. The Chishti Nizami revival in the late eighteenth and nineteenth century saw the growth of an alternative religious network that competed with older families both religiously and socially. This process directly challenged the idea of inherited charisma and the established social hierarchy. Although reform movements are often considered to represent a shift towards a universal dimension of Islam, connected symbolically to Arabia and to the figure of the Prophet, the Chishti Nizami revival in Multan can be seen rather as a vernacularisation of Islamic authority. The movement favoured the social ascent of local tribes and non-Arab Ashraf families. The alliance between these groups would become a stable feature in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and contributed to the social status of Sayyid families being questioned.

Parental Socialization and Its Impact across the Lifespan

Classical studies have found that parental warmth combined with parental strictness is the best parental strategy to promote children’s psychosocial development. Nevertheless, a growing set of emergent studies has questioned the benefits of parental strictness. The present study examined parental socialization and its short- and long-term impact on the psychosocial development of adolescents and adult children. The sample consisted of 2150 Spanish participants, 623 adolescents (12–18 years), 619 young adults (19–35 years), 502 middle-aged adults (35–59 years), and 406 older adults (60 years or older). Families were classified into one of four typologies (indulgent, authoritative, authoritarian, and neglectful). Psychosocial development was examined with five indicators (physical and family self-concept, nervousness, empathy, and internalization of social values of benevolence). The results show a common short- and long-term pattern between parenting styles and psychosocial development: the indulgent style equaled or even surpassed the authoritative style, whereas the neglectful and authoritarian styles were associated with low scores. The present findings were discussed by considering the importance of the cultural context in family socialization. Additionally, the long-term impact of parental socialization seems to be crucial, even in adulthood.

Family Dynasties: Success and Failure

This chapter considers what factors contributed to the survival and success of the leading families, and to the decline of others. It identifies the crucial role of entrepreneurs in founding and sustaining the fortunes of leading families. A key finding of the chapter is the distinction between old aristocratic wealth and new mercantile wealth. Some older families fell into debt and lost their property portfolios. Others redistributed income within the family or undertook strategic marriages, and thus obtained a new lease of life.

The Oligarchs and Their Opponents, 1378–1426

This chapter describes the contrasts between the more “oligarchic” and the more “popular” components of Florentine society, from the time of the Ciompi tumult in 1378 until the formation of the Medici party in 1426. The oligarchs—some being engaged in business and many taking advantage of opportunities that arose from Florence’s expanding state—attempted, via an oligarchic political club, the Parte Guelfa, to prevent new people from entering the government and endorsed optional wars that enlarged the Florentine state. The more popular groups were merchants, often not from older families, and artisans (the popolo minuto), who wanted to open the government to new families and tended to oppose optional wars. By 1426 the more popular elements coalesced around the Medici. The chapter utilizes political debates in Florence (the Consulte e Pratiche) as well as diaries and other unpublished sources.