The Mediational Role of Self-Support Personality in the Association of Family Function and School Belonging in Adolescents

Some previous studies have explored the impact of family function on school belonging. However, little is known about the parallel mediating relationship underlying them. This study aims to investigate the formation mechanism of school beginning in a sample of Chinese adolescents and examined the parallel mediating role of interpersonal self-support and individual self-support in the link between family function and school belonging. A cross-sectional study was conducted in four schools of the district of Hunan province in China, and 741 students were surveyed using cluster sampling. Family cohesion and adaptability scale (FACES), Adolescent students self-supporting personality scale (SSPS-AS), School belonging scale were applied. The results indicated that interpersonal self-support and individual self-support, together, and uniquely, parallel mediated the relationship between family function and school belonging. It can be concluded that family function not only has direct effects on school belonging but also has indirect effects through interpersonal self-support and individual self-support.

Mother–Child Relationships in U.S. Latinx Families in Middle Childhood: Opportunities and Challenges in the 21st Century

The 21st century has brought unique opportunities and challenges for parents, and this is particularly true for Latinx families, whose children comprise more than one-fourth of the school-age population in the U.S. today. Taking an ecological and strengths-based approach, the current study examined the role of mothers’ cultural assets (familism values, family cohesion) and challenges (economic hardship, ethnic–race-based discrimination) on children’s educational adjustment in middle childhood, as well as the indirect role of mother–child warmth and conflict in these associations. The sample included 173 Latinx mothers and their middle childhood offspring (i.e., 5th graders and younger sisters/brothers in the 1st through 4th grade). Mothers participated in home visits and phone interviews and teachers provided ratings of children’s educational adjustment (academic and socioemotional competence, aggressive/oppositional behaviors). Findings revealed family cohesion was indirectly linked to children’s educational adjustment via mother–child warmth and conflict, particularly for younger siblings. Discussion focuses on the culturally based strengths of Latinx families and highlights potential implications for family-based prevention in middle childhood.

Impact of Family Cohesion and Adaptability on Academic Burnout of Chinese College Students: Serial Mediation of Peer Support and Positive Psychological Capital

This study aimed to explore the association between the functioning of family environment (i.e., family cohesion and family adaptability) and academic burnout of Chinese college students as well as the mediating effects of the interpersonal resource (i.e., peer support) and intrapersonal resource [i.e., positive psychological capital (PsyCap)] in this relationship. A total of 1971 Chinese undergraduates were involved in an online questionnaire survey and data analysis. It was found that family cohesion and adaptability was negatively related to academic burnout. Mediation analyses demonstrated that family cohesion and adaptability did not directly affect academic burnout, but indirectly through increasing PsyCap (characterized by optimism, hope, resilience, and self-efficacy), and through enhancing peer support and then increasing PsyCap in serial. Meanwhile, the relationship between family cohesion and adaptability and academic burnout was not mediated by peer support alone. These findings highlight the family environment’s crucial role in youth mental health and positive development in the college context.

The relationship between planned behavior family factors and intention to study abroad

This study explores the relationship between planned behaviour, i.e. attitude towards behaviour, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control and coherence towards intention to enrich the literature - Vietnamese students studying abroad at university. In addition, the study also explores the factors related to family cohesion to the intention of Vietnamese students to study abroad. This study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey using a targeted sampling technique (n=350). The SEM model was used to test the hypotheses. The SEM model proved that: The decisive factor affects the intention to study abroad with the coefficient of Regression Weight = 0.222. The subjective norm factor (norm) affects the intent variable with the coefficient of Regression Weight = 0.138; The behavioural intention control factor affects the intent factor with Regression Weights = 0.276; The factor through family cohesion (cohesion) affects the intent factor with Regression Weights = 0.159. The conclusions of this study provide valuable data for study abroad managers, universities, study abroad consulting service providers and families who want to invest in their children to study abroad.

relationship between planned behavior family factors and intention to study abroad

This study explores the relationship between planned behaviour, i.e. attitude towards behaviour, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control and coherence towards intention to enrich the literature - Vietnamese students studying abroad at university. In addition, the study also explores the factors related to family cohesion to the intention of Vietnamese students to study abroad. This study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey using a targeted sampling technique (n=350). The SEM model was used to test the hypotheses. The SEM model proved that: The decisive factor affects the intention to study abroad with the coefficient of Regression Weight = 0.222. The subjective norm factor (norm) affects the intent variable with the coefficient of Regression Weight = 0.138; The behavioural intention control factor affects the intent factor with Regression Weights = 0.276; The factor through family cohesion (cohesion) affects the intent factor with Regression Weights = 0.159. The conclusions of this study provide valuable data for study abroad managers, universities, study abroad consulting service providers and families who want to invest in their children to study abroad.

Understanding the impacts of post-disaster relocation on family dynamics and resilience

Purpose The purpose of this study is to arrive at a conceptual roadmap that may be used to analyze the impacts of post-disaster relocation on a family’s dynamics and how this, in turn, affects their resilience to future disasters. Existing literature shows that the role of the family as a social unit is often overlooked in disaster research. Ultimately, this paper seeks to elevate the place of the family and its internal dynamics as a vital determinant of family resilience in a post-disaster relocation setting. Design/methodology/approach The study is a result of a systematic literature review of four interrelated topics, namely, families in disasters; post-disaster relocation; disaster resilience and family resilience. Findings The literature review resulted in an exploration of the experiences of families amidst post-disaster relocation. Such findings were linked towards potential impacts on family dynamics, which then resulted in the study’s proposed roadmap. Originality/value The study is a novel attempt at coming up with a conceptual framework that may guide future scholars in determining the effects of family dynamics on a family’s overall disaster resilience amid post-disaster relocation. It is hoped that the use of such a framework will guide policymakers in crafting institutional reforms that take into account family cohesion in disaster relocation efforts.

Older Adults and the Impact of COVID-19: Lessons Learned from a Two-State Study

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased strains on the rapidly increasing aging population’s mental, emotional, and physiological health. COVID-19, which belongs to a family of respiratory viruses, was first detected in China before spreading to other parts of the globe. Due to underlying health conditions and weakened immune systems, the aging population is at greater risk for contracting COVID-19. To better prepare for a future pandemic, it is necessary to explore the psychosocial impacts of limited human interactions to make the aging population feel safer while mitigating harm to their mental and emotional health. The purpose of this study is to highlight the experiences of the aging population with COVID-19, including psychosocial, behavioral responses to the pandemic, and older adults’ overall well-being. We surveyed a total of 203 adults 55 and older regarding their experiences with the pandemic. Survey components included the COVID-19 Household Environment Scale (Behar-Zusman, Chavez, & Gattamorta, ND), selected items from the COVID-19 Impact Study and open-ended questions, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment (Williams et al., 2006), and the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, Peplau, & Ferguson, 1978). Preliminary analyses indicate that most participants had not experienced any COVID-19 symptoms, nor did they know anyone who had passed away from the virus. However, participants did report loneliness and less family cohesion because of the pandemic. Findings from this study will be used to help older adults cope with the impact of the current pandemic and future pandemics.

Coping with the Subjective Impact of COVID-19 among Older Adults in Puerto Rico

The COVID-19 pandemic poses serious physical and mental health risks for older adults worldwide. To develop culturally and contextually congruent services to mitigate these risks requires understanding their stress and coping processes, which remain understudied in Latin America. This study examines qualitative data from 51 adults aged 60 and over who participated in an ongoing study of older Puerto Ricans’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices about COVID-19. Trained interviewers collected the data by telephone from January to August, 2021. Two-thirds of participants were female, 60% had less than high school education and 90% had poverty-level incomes. Drawing on Lazarus and Folkman’s Stress and Coping Theory, we conducted a thematic analysis of responses to open-ended questions about the nature and extent of COVID-related stressors, stress management, and meanings and guidance they had gleaned from their experience. Participants perceived the pandemic as an added threat to ongoing chronic stressors (e.g., Hurricane Maria, poverty, political instability); disruptions in daily routines, family cohesion, and grief and loss processes; and increased isolation and loneliness. They reported using cognitive, behavioral, socioemotional and spiritual coping, including positive thinking, keeping occupied, relaxation, religious practices and, in a few cases, social media. Participants highlighted a revitalized appreciation for emotional qualities of relationships, freedom and life in general. Consistent with our guiding theory, cultural, contextual, religious, and socio-political factors shaped their appraisals of stress and their coping strategies. Future research should examine how these practices relate to health outcomes and quality of life and how they can inform effective, appropriate interventions.