Association between Parenthood and Health Behaviour in Later Life—Results from the Population-Based CARLA Study

Previous research has focused on comparing health behaviour between parents and non-parents at younger ages, while little is known about the impact of being a parent on health behaviours in later life. We studied whether parenthood is associated with later physical activity (PA), dietary pattern, smoking status and alcohol consumption in German adults of middle and old age. We used data from the baseline examination of the population-based CARLA-study in Halle (Saale), comprising 1779 adults aged 45–83. Linear and logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship between parenthood and health behaviours while controlling for age, partner status, education, income, occupational position, socioeconomic status in childhood, and number of chronic diseases. Of the participants, 89.1% had biological children. Being a father was associated with higher PA in sports (sport index ß = 0.29, 95% confidence interval [0.14; 0.44]), but not with PA in leisure time (excluding sports), dietary pattern, consumption of alcohol and smoking status. No associations were found between being a mother with all outcome variables. Provided that PA of fathers is typically reduced when the children are young, the development towards higher PA at later age needs to be studied in more detail.

HIV testing and ART initiation among partners, family members, and high-risk associates of index clients participating in the CommLink linkage case management program, Eswatini, 2016–2018

To help diagnose and initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) for ≥95% of all persons living with HIV (PLHIV), the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends offering HIV testing to biological children, and sexual and needle-sharing partners of all PLHIV (index-client testing, ICT). Many index clients, however, do not identify or have contactable partners, and often substantially fewer than 95% of HIV-positive partners initiate ART soon after index testing. To help improve early HIV diagnosis and ART initiation in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), we implemented a community-based HIV testing and peer-delivered, linkage case management program (CommLink) that provided ICT as part of a comprehensive package of WHO recommended linkage services. CommLink was implemented June 2015 –March 2017 (Phase I), and April 2017 –September 2018 (Phase II). In addition to biological children and partners, HIV testing was offered to adult family members (Phases I and II) and high-risk associates including friends and acquaintances (Phase II) of CommLink index clients. Compared with Phase I, in Phase II proportionally more CommLink clients disclosed their HIV-infection status to a partner or family member [94% (562/598) vs. 75% (486/652)], and had ≥1 partners, family members, or high-risk associates (contacts) tested through CommLink [41% (245/598) vs. 18% (117/652)]. Of 537 contacts tested, 253 (47%) were HIV-positive and not currently in HIV care, including 17% (17/100) of family members aged <15 years, 42% (78/187) of non-partner family members aged ≥15 years, 60% (73/121) of sexual partners, and 66% (85/129) of high-risk associates. Among 210 HIV-positive contacts aged ≥15 years who participated in CommLink, nearly all received recommended linkage services including treatment navigation (95%), weekly telephone follow-up (93%), and ≥3 counseling sessions (94%); peer counselors resolved 76% (306/404) of identified barriers to care (e.g., perceived wellness); and 200 (95%) initiated ART at a healthcare facility, of whom 196 (98%) received at least one antiretroviral refill before case-management services ended. To help countries achieve ≥90% ART coverage among all PLHIV, expanding ICT for adult family members and high-risk associates of index clients, and providing peer-delivered linkage case management for all identified PLHIV, should be considered.

Psychological factors of parental burnout of fathers and mothers

The study of parental burnout of fathers as well as mothers is relevant, since it may be the source of family trouble in general. The purpose of the study is to identify the factors of parental burnout of fathers and mothers. It is assumed that there are multidirectional correlations between the intensity of parental burnout components and parental sets, the attitude of spouses to the family role, and the consistency of the family functions of fathers and mothers. The study was carried out on a sample of parents of full families in Saratov, raising biological children (N = 61, 40 women (aged M = 32), 21 men (M = 33.9)). The applied methods include the questionnaires "Parental Burnout" (I. N. Efimova); "Role Expectations and Claims in Marriage" (N. A. Volkova), "Parental Attitude Research Instrument " (E. S. Schaefer and R. K. Bell, adapted by T. V. Nescheret and T. V. Arkhireeva), the questionnaire on marital satisfaction (V. V. Stolin, T. L. Romanova, G. P. Butenko). The largest number of correlations between the parameters of parental burnout and parental sets, the attitude of spouses to the family role and family functions have been revealed in the sample of mothers. It has been found out that in both samples the level of "emotional exhaustion" is interrelated with the parental predisposition to excessive strictness towards the child. However, the emotional exhaustion of mothers is more mediated by their dependence on the family and low self-assessment as a parent, whereas fathers’ burnout is due to the focus on the child and the desire to accelerate their development. The level of "depersonalization" in the sample of mothers correlates with the level of their concentration on the child, the consistency of family functions ("emotional and psychotherapeutic", "social activity", "physical attractiveness of the partner"), and marital satisfaction. In the sample of fathers, it correlates with the scales related to the sphere of marital relations (physical attractiveness of the partner, the degree of the father’s involvement in family affairs and marital satisfaction). The degree of the "parental achievements reduction" in the sample of mothers is associated with the balance of "intimacyseparateness" or its lack in the family system; in the sample of fathers it is connected with the availability or lack of verbal contact with the child and the father's acceptance of the child’s natural development. The applied aspect of the problem under study consists of the possibility of using the results in the practice of advisory services.

The Adoptive Parents

The chapter draws on case file data and papers presented to the court at the time of the adoption order. The 210 adoptees were placed in 138 adoptive homes. The adoptive parents were on average ten years older than birth parents and had more stable relationships. They were also better educated. Most lived in owner-occupied homes and the secondary carer was generally in full-time work. Attempts to match children with families of the same ethnicity and culture and to place siblings together were mostly successful: 77% of children with siblings were placed in intact groups; only 8% were placed alone. Almost half (44%) the parents adopted more than one child; 9% adopted three or more; many also had biological children still living with them. While adoptive parents had considerable resources, they also faced challenges including helping children overcome the sequelae of early adverse experiences and parenting several children with diverse needs.

The dyad is not enough

The increasing prevalence of ageing stepfamilies and the potential of stepchildren to act as a source of support for older parents have increased the interest in long-term intergenerational step relationships. Applying a life-course perspective combined with Simmel’s theorizing on social dynamics, this exploratory study aims to investigate the preconditions for cohesion in long-term intergenerational step relationships. The study is based on interviews with 13 older parents, aged 66–79, who have raised both biological children and stepchildren. Retrospective life-course interviews were used to capture the development of step relationships over time. Interviews were analysed following the principles of analytical induction. The results reveal four central third-party relationships that are important for cohesion in intergenerational step relationships over time, involving: (1) the intimate partner; (2) the non-residential parent; (3) the bridge child; and (4) the stepchild-in-law. The findings have led to the conclusion that if we are to understand the unique conditions for cohesion in long-term intergenerational step relationships, we cannot simply compare biological parent–child dyads with step dyads, because the step relationship is essentially a mediated relationship.

Supporting One’s Own? Grandparents’ Help to Grandchildren Who Live With Other Unrelated Children

The structures of young families today are becoming increasingly complex, which may impact grandparents’ involvement. I examine whether grandparents’ support to adult children’s households differs for those with biological grandchildren only, versus households with both biological and non-biological (step, unrelated) grandchildren. The resource dilution hypothesis and sociobiology theory suggest that grandparents will be less supportive of grandchildren when other unrelated children co-reside in their households. Grandparents (mean age 62.23) in the Add Health Parent Study (2015-2017) reported on instrumental and financial help given to each of their adult children's families in the past year. These data were merged with information from their adult children (mean age 36.76) who participated in Add Health Wave V (2016-2018). Adult children’s household structures—biological children only (n=400) or biological + other children (n=51)—were determined using their fertility histories and household rosters. No significant differences were found in the likelihood that grandparents offered any instrumental or financial support to these two household types (controlling for grandparent resources and adult child characteristics). Nor was the level of grandparents’ financial support significantly different for the two groups. However, grandparents gave significantly fewer hours of help to adult children heading households including both biological grandchildren and unrelated children. Grandparents appear less willing to devote time to assisting their grandchildren’s families when their investment is diluted by the presence of unrelated children. Perhaps time with grandchildren is less pleasing or comfortable when unrelated children are present. This same issue does not impact financial giving, which need not involve contact.

STUDI APOLOGETIK KRISTEN TERHADAP KONSEP ANAK ALLAH YANG DITERAPKAN PADA PRIBADI YESUS KRISTUS

In this satudy the author discusses the concept of the Son of God which is applied to the person of Jesus Christ in the study of Apologetics. This topic is controversial because it often distors theological understanding as if the Christian faith teaches that God has biological children and this creates a theological misunderstanding. This sometimes understood by non-Christian.Therefore, the author will use the study of literature in research in order to explain the phenomenon under study.This study shows that the concept of the Son of God is not a concept that means the biological son of God. But the concept of the son of God is a concept that has meaning: first, Jesus is equal to God the Father. Second, Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God as well as having a personal relationship with the Father, so that it is the Son who reveals the entire existence of the Father. who has uniquely revealed the exixtence of the Father.

Pola Asuh Ibu Tiri dalam Membangun Karakter Anak Pra Sekolah

This study discusses the Stepmother Parenting in Building the Character of Pre-School Children in Alur Nunang Village, Kec. Banda Mulia is experiencing various obstacles. This study aims to determine the parenting style of stepmothers in building the character of pre-school children in the village of groove nunang, sub-district. Banda Mulia and to find out the stepmother's obstacles in building the character of pre-school children in the village of groove nunang kec. Noble band. The type of approach used in this research is qualitative research. The results showed that stepmother parenting in building character in pre-school children in Alur Nunang village, Kec. Banda Mulia is to educate them gently, we position them as our biological children so that their mental and character can be confident and as if they still have a biological mother. Parenting should not be authoritarian, because it will result in their mental and self-confidence will be down. The influence of the stepmother's parenting style on the child's character is very important, namely in the form of preventive action (prevention). Then in the form of repressive actions (active), as well as curative actions (supervision) on children's behavior both at home and outside the home. factors and barriers to stepmothers in building the character of pre-school children in Alur Nunang Village, Kec. Banda Mulia are children who have a stepmother who are often feared by their friends playing in their environment, saying that the stepmother is very cruel, so that the psychology of the children becomes timid in front of their stepmother, then automatically, the stepmother's upbringing in building the children's character will experience obstacles

Fatherhood Among Marginalised Work-Seeking Men in South Africa

Several factors have been shown to shape the ways in which men parent/engage with their children and families. Socio-economic status, culture, history, political background, and access to paid employment are among these factors. In this chapter we focus on the ways in which precarious employment shapes the parenting practices of marginalized men in South Africa. These are men who seek work on the side of the road, often referred to as ‘day labourers’. We report on data collected through semi-structured interviews with 46 men who identified as fathers. The data was analysed using the grounded theory method of constant comparison which involved two phases of coding (initial- and focused coding). Following the coding process, the data was compared for similarities, differences, and contradictions. Lastly, the analysis involved the thematic organization of codes which resulted several main themes. The first theme explored in this chapter draws on the integration of parenting roles, where men not only focus on financial provision, but also highlight the significance of being physically present and showing their children love. The second theme we explored highlights the significance of traditional practices – amasiko – as practices of gatekeeping that hinder the involvement of men with their biological children.