Ageing and Society, 31(2), February 2011, pp.308-327.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
The main focus of this article is Finnish working carers' perceptions of their sibling relations and the sharing of responsibility for parental care, and the rationales that interviewees provided regarding the participation or non-participation of their siblings in the parents' care. The study used data from a subset of 20 qualitative interviews conducted as part of the WoCaWo (Working Carers -
The main focus of this article is Finnish working carers' perceptions of their sibling relations and the sharing of responsibility for parental care, and the rationales that interviewees provided regarding the participation or non-participation of their siblings in the parents' care. The study used data from a subset of 20 qualitative interviews conducted as part of the WoCaWo (Working Carers - Caring Workers) research project on Finnish working carers. The article reports on findings on the equity of the division of care responsibilities among siblings, and identifies 3 participation patterns: absence (where siblings did not participate in parental care), backup (where siblings provided occasional backup), and togetherness (where primary carers emphasised close ties among siblings and caring was shared). All the interviewees offered rationales for unequal division of care tasks and responsibilities among siblings, and the article discusses these rationales and their variations by participation patterns.
... scale relative to each of their rearing parents, and the Beavers Self Report Family Instrument. Findings indicated that participants perceived both parents as avoiding the topic of donor assistance more than other topics, mothers as avoiding all topics less than fathers, and topic avoidance was negatively associated with family functioning. Mothers' general topic avoidance was the strongest predictor of family functioning. Parents' disclosing together was predictive of higher family functioning. Implications for practice and future research are suggested.
The purpose of this American study was to examine the relationship between adult offspring's perception of family functioning and of parental use of topic avoidance to maintain secrecy regarding the use of donor assistance to conceive. A cross-sectional design was used to study a convenience sample of 69 young adult donor offspring who completed a demographic questionnaire, a topic avoidance scale relative to each of their rearing parents, and the Beavers Self Report Family Instrument. Findings indicated that participants perceived both parents as avoiding the topic of donor assistance more than other topics, mothers as avoiding all topics less than fathers, and topic avoidance was negatively associated with family functioning. Mothers' general topic avoidance was the strongest predictor of family functioning. Parents' disclosing together was predictive of higher family functioning. Implications for practice and future research are suggested.
Subject terms:
parents, assisted reproduction, disclosure, family relations;
This paper reports on a work in-progress research project exploring adults' experiences of childhood or adult losses after parental suicide. Research objectives include an examination of the influence of parental suicide on the process of identity construction and pre- and post-suicide family dynamics. Findings from the research indicate that family communication in its aftermath may be severely disrupted. The censoring of grief, ambiguity of stories told to the bereaved, avoidance of details and suppression of grief are common threads. Consequently, the grief process may be delayed. The search for the why and how of the suicide, the memorialising, and the finding of a connection with the dead parent may take place many years later.
This paper reports on a work in-progress research project exploring adults' experiences of childhood or adult losses after parental suicide. Research objectives include an examination of the influence of parental suicide on the process of identity construction and pre- and post-suicide family dynamics. Findings from the research indicate that family communication in its aftermath may be severely disrupted. The censoring of grief, ambiguity of stories told to the bereaved, avoidance of details and suppression of grief are common threads. Consequently, the grief process may be delayed. The search for the why and how of the suicide, the memorialising, and the finding of a connection with the dead parent may take place many years later.
British Journal of Social Work, 31(1), February 2001, pp.133-139.
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Data from the National Child Development Study were used to examine the relationship between parental background and expectations of familial emotional support in adulthood. After adjusting for social class, employment, qualifications and presence of children in adulthood, and relationships with parents in adolescence, this study showed that men from birth families who had experienced disadvantage and men from stepfamilies who had had a public care experience were less likely to turn to family for emotional support. Presence of children in adulthood significantly increased contact but strained relationships with parents in adolescence significantly decreased this likelihood. Educational attainment in women and employment in men significantly predicted calling upon family first in times
Data from the National Child Development Study were used to examine the relationship between parental background and expectations of familial emotional support in adulthood. After adjusting for social class, employment, qualifications and presence of children in adulthood, and relationships with parents in adolescence, this study showed that men from birth families who had experienced disadvantage and men from stepfamilies who had had a public care experience were less likely to turn to family for emotional support. Presence of children in adulthood significantly increased contact but strained relationships with parents in adolescence significantly decreased this likelihood. Educational attainment in women and employment in men significantly predicted calling upon family first in times of emotional difficulties. This study has important implications for social workers seeking to increase family support for vulnerable families.
Journal of Family Social Work, 20(1), 2017, pp.26-40.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
Military families face not only the same challenges as other families, but also unique issues due to their military involvement. Parenting programs for civilian families can be helpful, but they do not generally cover the specific issues faced by military families. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gather information from a focus group of eight service providers about the types of issues that affect military families, such that content and delivery of workshops at a social service agency could be formed to specifically cater to military families. This study utilized a phenomenological approach, and analyses revealed areas for social service involvement around the cycle of deployment. Specifically, social services could be helpful by using psychoeducational and normalization techniques around the five major themes that resulted from this study: (1) the issues of servicemembers psychologically withdrawing before deployment, (2) family cohesion and connectedness during and after deployment, (3) family stability during reintegration of the service member, (4) military families experience many of the same challenges that nonmilitary families do (such as domestic violence and financial issues), and (5) utilizing a military culture framework for all military family programs.
(Publisher abstract)
Military families face not only the same challenges as other families, but also unique issues due to their military involvement. Parenting programs for civilian families can be helpful, but they do not generally cover the specific issues faced by military families. The purpose of this qualitative study was to gather information from a focus group of eight service providers about the types of issues that affect military families, such that content and delivery of workshops at a social service agency could be formed to specifically cater to military families. This study utilized a phenomenological approach, and analyses revealed areas for social service involvement around the cycle of deployment. Specifically, social services could be helpful by using psychoeducational and normalization techniques around the five major themes that resulted from this study: (1) the issues of servicemembers psychologically withdrawing before deployment, (2) family cohesion and connectedness during and after deployment, (3) family stability during reintegration of the service member, (4) military families experience many of the same challenges that nonmilitary families do (such as domestic violence and financial issues), and (5) utilizing a military culture framework for all military family programs.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
armed forces personnel, social work, families, parents, family relations;
Families, Relationships and Societies, 4(1), 2015, pp.87-101.
Publisher:
Policy Press
Place of publication:
Bristol
Previous research on the effects of alcohol abuse on family members has primarily focused on spouses, parents or young children of problem drinkers. The study on which this article is based explored the experiences of adults with children who were also providing care for a problem-drinking parent. Individual interviews were conducted with six female participants. A qualitative analysis
(Publisher abstract)
Previous research on the effects of alcohol abuse on family members has primarily focused on spouses, parents or young children of problem drinkers. The study on which this article is based explored the experiences of adults with children who were also providing care for a problem-drinking parent. Individual interviews were conducted with six female participants. A qualitative analysis of the interviews identified three conflicts or dilemmas that the participants faced: 'normative expectations or notions of family versus experience', 'emotional detachment versus strong emotion' and 'functional/practical contact versus emotional/relational contact'. Implications for alcohol support services are discussed and recommendations are proposed.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
parents, alcohol misuse, families, family members, family relations;
Social Work Matters (e-Magazine), June 2014, Online only
Publisher:
The College of Social Work
... parental views could change over time. It highlights the need for professionals to work with parents to support them over time and to help manage their child's behaviour.
(Original abstract)
Summarises research which looked at parent and family responses after finding out that a young person has sexually abused. A total of 117 cases (out of a sample of 700) were selected for analysis. The research found three categories of long-term family response: supportive; ambivalent; and disintegrative shaming responses towards the young person. The study found that during the intervention, parental views could change over time. It highlights the need for professionals to work with parents to support them over time and to help manage their child's behaviour.
(Original abstract)
Subject terms:
young sex offenders, family relations, parents, attitudes, family support;
This briefing paper examines the degree to which parental substance misuse (PSM) can affect children’s physical and emotional welfare at a range of levels Whilst there is no suggestion that all children of parents who misuse substances are automatically going to experience developmental problems, this type of behaviour can affect the extent to which children’s needs, across the developmental
(Edited publisher abstract)
This briefing paper examines the degree to which parental substance misuse (PSM) can affect children’s physical and emotional welfare at a range of levels Whilst there is no suggestion that all children of parents who misuse substances are automatically going to experience developmental problems, this type of behaviour can affect the extent to which children’s needs, across the developmental domain, are met. The main briefing is accessible online and focuses on the impact of PSM on child development. A hard copy tool is available as a hand-out or digital resource. This gives helpful summaries of some of the impact of PSM, whilst also looking at practical resilience and protective factors. This resource will be useful to those working with children in care and on the edge of care, to children’s centre staff, family support teams and troubled family teams.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
parents, substance misuse, child development, unborn children, family relations;
Child and Family Social Work, 17(4), November 2012, pp.406-415.
Publisher:
Wiley
With the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) continuing to rise, there is a need to better understand how ASDs affect family life. This qualitative study investigated the ways in which parenting a child with ASD impacted marriages. Nineteen participants (nine couples and one wife) were interviewed in a southern region of the United States. Findings indicated that parenting a child with ASD acted as a crucible for couple relationships, exerting extraordinary pressure on partners that forced qualitative adaptations in their relationship. Two relationship phases emerged from the analysis: ‘tag team’ and ‘deeper intimacy and commitment’. The authors concluded that the offered theoretical model could help clinicians tailor assessment and intervention for couples who were parenting a child with ASD. Implications for practice are discussed.
With the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) continuing to rise, there is a need to better understand how ASDs affect family life. This qualitative study investigated the ways in which parenting a child with ASD impacted marriages. Nineteen participants (nine couples and one wife) were interviewed in a southern region of the United States. Findings indicated that parenting a child with ASD acted as a crucible for couple relationships, exerting extraordinary pressure on partners that forced qualitative adaptations in their relationship. Two relationship phases emerged from the analysis: ‘tag team’ and ‘deeper intimacy and commitment’. The authors concluded that the offered theoretical model could help clinicians tailor assessment and intervention for couples who were parenting a child with ASD. Implications for practice are discussed.
Subject terms:
parenting, parents, autistic spectrum conditions, children, family relations;
This article focuses on the meaning attributed by adult children to the support they provide their parents. Delayed reciprocity or ‘paying back’ parents has been suggested as a potential motivator of support provided by adult children to their ageing parents. The purpose of this study was to examine whether, how and in what ways adult children interpret and apply the concept of delayed reciprocity in filial relationships. The study participants were 12 men and 16 women in Victoria, Canada who provide at least 3 hours support a month to one or both ageing parents. Each participant was interviewed individually on 2 occasions. Data were analysed interpretively, using thematic coding, contextualised reflection and guiding questions. The findings suggest that delayed reciprocity is limited
This article focuses on the meaning attributed by adult children to the support they provide their parents. Delayed reciprocity or ‘paying back’ parents has been suggested as a potential motivator of support provided by adult children to their ageing parents. The purpose of this study was to examine whether, how and in what ways adult children interpret and apply the concept of delayed reciprocity in filial relationships. The study participants were 12 men and 16 women in Victoria, Canada who provide at least 3 hours support a month to one or both ageing parents. Each participant was interviewed individually on 2 occasions. Data were analysed interpretively, using thematic coding, contextualised reflection and guiding questions. The findings suggest that delayed reciprocity is limited as an interpretive framework for describing parent support. Overall, comments reflected qualification or rejection of ‘paying back’ in the sense of a filial contract. Delayed reciprocity appears for most participants to symbolise imbalance, expectedness or obligation, and a lack of affection. In response, participants tended to reject delayed reciprocity in favour of interpretations emphasising mutuality, family role duties and reciprocated love.
Subject terms:
motivation, older people, parents, families, family relations;