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Single-mother families represent the second most common family structure, with one in four children raised by single mothers. Children of single-mother families are at greater risk than children from two-parent families to experience internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, with differences attributed to systemic disadvantages inherent to single motherhood. The current study hypothesized that established risk factors (low income, negative parenting, maternal depression, and neighborhood crime) would predict greater rates of psychopathology in adolescents of single mothers than those of partnered mothers via exposure to proximal risk factors (elevated adolescent stress and reduced emotional support). In a community sample of adolescents and their mothers (N = 485, 46% single mother, 48% White) assessed over the course of two years, adolescents of single mothers were more likely than those of partnered mothers to experience prospective depressive symptoms and externalizing disorders. Although the hypothesized proximal risk factors did not differ across family structures, adolescent children of single mothers were more likely to experience stressors independent of the adolescent’s behavior. Additionally, single-mother families were more likely to be of low socioeconomic status, live in neighborhoods high in violent crimes, and employ negatively-controlling parenting. Importantly, these factors were significantly interdependent, suggesting compounded risk for youth mental illness in single-mother families that highlights the extent of their disadvantages. Youth of single mothers were more likely to experience prospective depressive disorders and symptoms via exposure to elevated negatively-controlling parenting. Despite elevated rates of psychopathology and distal risk factors, our proposed model of risk only was partially supported, suggesting single-mother families remain resilient despite exposure to various risk factors. Clinical implications and study limitations are discussed. / Psychology

This study investigated the relationship between teacher support, internalizing symptoms, and academic achievement in a sample of English Language Learners (ELLs) and non-English Language Learners (non-ELLs). Participants were middle school students from a culturally and linguistically diverse suburban school district. Linear regressions were used to examine mediation, moderation, and moderated-mediation models of teacher support on internalizing symptoms and academic achievement. The results showed that increased teacher support was related to higher classroom grades, particularly for non-ELLs, and decreased internalizing symptoms for both ELLs and non-ELLs. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed. / School Psychology

A comparative review of statistical summary results of the Survey of Army Families demonstrated that there is a gap in the research on the emotional experiences of civilian military wives who do not participate in the Family Readiness Group (FRG). The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to supplement the limited amount of scholarly research on the emotional experiences of civilian military wives and their lack of participation in the FRG during the deployment cycle. The theoretical framework of this study explored the military family syndrome through application of the double ABCX model in examining this phenomenon. The foundational research question inquired about the deployment-related emotional experiences of civilian military wives who do not participate in a FRG. Phenomenological interviews with 5 civilian military wives narrowed the gap in research as their specific experiences with the FRG of their soldier's unit were analyzed and coded to identify different categories and themes. Study results suggested that familiarity with the deployment cycle was a crucial determinant in how civilian military wives experience the deployment cycle and perceive the use of the FRG as a source of support. The perceived detached communication and engagement of the FRG organization and its leaders were also found to be contributing factors to civilian military spouse participation. The implications of these findings for positive social change are to inform FRG leadership of the importance of addressing the needs of new and seasoned civilian military wives to foster a more favorable perception of the organization and to promote the potential participation of new members.

Mental illness affects more women than men in the United States. Poor mental health in reproductive-age women has negative implications on population health. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine the relationship between household structure and frequency of mental distress, with consideration of the mediation social-emotional support provides for reproductive-age women. The social ecological model was the theoretical framework for this research, in which frequency of mental distress related to the individual-level of the human-environment interaction construct. Household structure and social-emotional support were examined at the relationship-level. Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression were used to conduct a cross-sectional analysis of the 2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data set with a total sample size of 65,269 women, 18-44 years old. The confounding variables, health care access, race, income, marital status, number of children in the household, and pregnancy status, were included in the analysis. Although social-emotional support significantly influenced both household structure and frequency of mental distress, significance was not found between household structure and frequency of mental distress indicating that mediation does not exist. This study provides researchers and practitioners information about household structure that should be considered when designing innovative, nonprofessional support programs at the community-level. Positive social change implications include an understanding of the relationship between complex variables associated with social-emotional support, which could improve community support programs focused on mental health wellness of reproductive-age women.

This thesis was concerned with the psychological adjustment of 67 end-stage cancer patients, and three psychosocial variables considered to influence that adjustment: emotional support from spouse, positive meaning, and working models of attachment. Furthermore, this thesis was also concerned with the psychological adjustment of the patients' spouses, and the influence of emotional support from patient and working models of attachment on their adjustment. It was hypothesised that each of these psychosocial variables would directly influence the psychological adjustment of patients and spouses, measured using the negative affectivity scale of the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). Furthermore, it was hypothesised that emotional support would influence positive meaning, and working models of attachment would influence both emotional support and positive meaning. Variables were measured via paper and pencil self-report inventories, with the exception of positive meaning, where verbal responses to an open question were coded. Univariate analyses indicated an association between patients' and spouses' emotional support provided by one another and their psychological adjustment. Univariate results also showed that patients' positive meaning was related to patients' psychological adjustment, and that patients' working models of attachment involving higher levels of attachment anxiety were associated with patients' poorer psychological adjustment. All these individual associations remained statistically significant after three control variables related to the patients' physical condition were taken into account. In addition, univariate analyses indicated that attachment was associated with emotional support, and that emotional support was associated with positive meaning. Following univariate analyses, variables were integrated into one model for patients and another for spouses using path analyses. Results were generally consistent with the prior sets of analyses. However, patients' working models of attachment involving higher levels of attachment anxiety no longer had a direct effect on patients' psychological adjustment to statistically significant levels. Rather, the influence of the working models of attachment on patients' psychological adjustment was mediated by emotional support. In addition, patients' positive meaning no longer had a significant direct effect on patients' psychological adjustment. The insignificant path coefficients between attachment anxiety and psychological adjustment, and between positive meaning and psychological adjustment, were attributed to the large amount of variance in negative affect due to emotional support. In summary, this research indicates that emotional support given and received between patients and spouses is important to the psychological adjustment of each party. Furthermore, emotional support influences patients' ability to construe positive meaning in their illness, although positive meaning does not appear to be as critical to the psychological adjustment of patients as emotional support. Working models of attachment influence the psychological adjustment of patients primarily through their influence on emotional support.

<p><strong>SAMMANFATTNING</strong></p><p><strong>Syfte: </strong>Att beskriva förekomst av posttraumatisk stress och behov av känslomässigt stöd bland föräldrar till barn med hjärntumör vid två månader efter barnets diagnos (T2) respektive 12 månader efter avslutad cytostatika-/strålbehandling eller 18 månader efter operation av barn som inte fått cytostatika-/strålbehandling (T6). Syftet var också att jämföra behovet av känslomässigt stöd bland föräldrar med möjlig PTSD och hos de föräldrar som inte visar symtom på möjlig PTSD vid T2 respektive T6. <strong>Urval:</strong> 42 föräldrar till barn med hjärntumör deltog i studien: 20 mödrar och 22 fäder. <strong>Metod: </strong>Designen var deskriptiv longitudinell. Nivåer av PTSS och förekomst av möjlig PTSD mättes med PTSD Checklist Civilian, föräldrars behov av känslomässigt stöd mättes med ett studiespecifikt formulär. <strong>Resultat:</strong> Nivåer av PTSS hos föräldrar till barn med hjärntumör var lägre vid T6 än vid T2. Vid T2 hade 17 % möjlig PTSD jämfört med 5 % vid T6. Behovet av att samtala med psykolog var oförändrat lågt mellan T2 och T6, men behovet minskade över tid gällande att samtala med läkare, sjuksköterska, kurator, partner, vänner och övriga. <strong>Slutsats: </strong>Även om nivåer av PTSS och behovet av känslomässigt stöd på gruppnivå minskar över tid, bör vårdpersonal ändå uppmärksamma förälderns individuella behov av stöd. <strong></strong></p> / <p><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p><strong>Aim:</strong> To describe occurrence of posttraumatic stress and the need of emotional support among parents of children with brain tumour two months after the child has been diagnosed (T2) respectively 12 months after completed chemo-/radiotherapy or 18 months after surgery of those children who did not receive chemo-/radiotherapy (T6). The aim was also to compare the need of emotional support between parents with occurrence of potential PTSD and parents who did not show any symptoms of potential PTSD at T2 and T6 respectively. <strong>Sample:</strong> 42 parents of children with brain tumour participated in the study: 20 mothers and 22 fathers. <strong>Method:</strong> The design was descriptive longitudinal. Levels of PTSS and occurrence of potential PTSD was measured by PTSD Checklist Civilian. Parents’ need of emotional support was measured with a study specific questionnaire. <strong>Results:</strong> Levels of PTSS was lower at T6 than T2. At T2 17 % had possible PTSD compared with 5 % at T6. The need to talk to a psychologist was unchanged low between T2 and T6, but the need declined over time concerning to talk with a doctor, nurse, welfare officer, partner, friends and others. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Even if levels of PTSS and the need of emotional support in group level decline over time, nursing staff should still be ware of the parents’ individual need of support.</p>

SAMMANFATTNING Syfte: Att beskriva förekomst av posttraumatisk stress och behov av känslomässigt stöd bland föräldrar till barn med hjärntumör vid två månader efter barnets diagnos (T2) respektive 12 månader efter avslutad cytostatika-/strålbehandling eller 18 månader efter operation av barn som inte fått cytostatika-/strålbehandling (T6). Syftet var också att jämföra behovet av känslomässigt stöd bland föräldrar med möjlig PTSD och hos de föräldrar som inte visar symtom på möjlig PTSD vid T2 respektive T6. Urval: 42 föräldrar till barn med hjärntumör deltog i studien: 20 mödrar och 22 fäder. Metod: Designen var deskriptiv longitudinell. Nivåer av PTSS och förekomst av möjlig PTSD mättes med PTSD Checklist Civilian, föräldrars behov av känslomässigt stöd mättes med ett studiespecifikt formulär. Resultat: Nivåer av PTSS hos föräldrar till barn med hjärntumör var lägre vid T6 än vid T2. Vid T2 hade 17 % möjlig PTSD jämfört med 5 % vid T6. Behovet av att samtala med psykolog var oförändrat lågt mellan T2 och T6, men behovet minskade över tid gällande att samtala med läkare, sjuksköterska, kurator, partner, vänner och övriga. Slutsats: Även om nivåer av PTSS och behovet av känslomässigt stöd på gruppnivå minskar över tid, bör vårdpersonal ändå uppmärksamma förälderns individuella behov av stöd. / ABSTRACT Aim: To describe occurrence of posttraumatic stress and the need of emotional support among parents of children with brain tumour two months after the child has been diagnosed (T2) respectively 12 months after completed chemo-/radiotherapy or 18 months after surgery of those children who did not receive chemo-/radiotherapy (T6). The aim was also to compare the need of emotional support between parents with occurrence of potential PTSD and parents who did not show any symptoms of potential PTSD at T2 and T6 respectively. Sample: 42 parents of children with brain tumour participated in the study: 20 mothers and 22 fathers. Method: The design was descriptive longitudinal. Levels of PTSS and occurrence of potential PTSD was measured by PTSD Checklist Civilian. Parents’ need of emotional support was measured with a study specific questionnaire. Results: Levels of PTSS was lower at T6 than T2. At T2 17 % had possible PTSD compared with 5 % at T6. The need to talk to a psychologist was unchanged low between T2 and T6, but the need declined over time concerning to talk with a doctor, nurse, welfare officer, partner, friends and others. Conclusion: Even if levels of PTSS and the need of emotional support in group level decline over time, nursing staff should still be ware of the parents’ individual need of support.

Bakgrund: Bröstcancer är den vanligaste cancerformen bland kvinnor. Många av de drabbade reagerar med starka känslor på diagnosen och behandlingen är tung och ofta obehaglig att ta sig igenom. Kvinnorna behöver stöd från anhöriga, vårdpersonal och andra kvinnor som har eller har haft bröstcancer. Anhöriga utgör den största källan till stöd, men stödet från vårdpersonalen är också av stor betydelse. Stöd kan delas in i emotionellt, materiellt och informativt stöd. Syfte: Att beskriva bröstcancerdiagnostiserade kvinnors upplevelse av emotionellt stöd från vårdpersonal. Metod: En litteraturöversikt enligt Friberg utfördes. Nio kvalitativa studier har valts ut och analyserats. Resultat: Resultatet visar att det var många olika faktorer som påverkade om kvinnorna upplevde att de fick emotionellt stöd eller inte. Åtta kategorier bildades under analysen: vårdrelationen, kontinuitet, trygghet och tillit, respekt och individualitet, närvaro, känslighet, tid samt personliga egenskaper. Diskussion: Resultatet jämförs med Joyce Travelbees teori som berör mycket av det som framkommit i resultatet, exempelvis att det är viktigt att se patienten som en individuell individ. I disskussionen betonas bland annat vikten av att uppfatta patienten som mångdimensionell samt hur och vårdpersonalens stress och tidsbrist påverkar möjligheten av att kunna ge emotionellt stöd. Sökord: bröstcancer, emotionellt stöd, kvinnor, omvårdnad, stöd, upplevelse. / Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women. Many of the affected women react to the diagnosis with strong feelings and the treatment is tough and often unpleasant getting through. The women need support from relatives, health-care personnel and other women with or who have had breast cancer. The relatives are a big source for support, but the support from health care personnel is also of great importance. Support can be divided into emotional, material and informational support. Aim: To describe breast cancer diagnosed women’s experience of emotional support from caring personnel. Method: A literature review was performed according to Friberg. Nine studies with a qualitative approach were collected and analysed. Findings: The result shows that there were many different factors who affected if the women experienced getting emotional support or not. Eight categories emerged in the analysis: the caring relation, continuity, confidence and trust, respect and individuality, presence, sensitibity, time and personal characteristics. Discussion: The result is compared to Joyce Travelbee’s theory that is connected to much of what was found in the result, for example the importance of recognizing the patient as an individual. The discussion highlights amongst other things the matter of seeing the many different dimensions of the patient and how the pressure and lack of time affects the health caring staff’s ability to give emotional support. Keywords: breast cancer, emotional support, experience, nursing care, support, women.

The aim of this study was to examine the relations between women’s perceived stress off the job (dependent variable), responsability for household chores, emotional support, number of children living at home, neuroticism and age (independent variables). Comparisons between the present sample and two independent samples from previous research were made with regard to perceived stress and neuroticism. The sample of this study consisted of 186 women working in the fields of health care and geriatric care. The results showed that perceived stress correlated positively with neuroticism and number of children and negatively with emotional support, though the effectsizes for number of children and emotional support were fairly small. Neuroticism was the strongest predictor for perceived stress. Implemented comparisons showed that the present sample reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress and neuroticism than the two independent samples. Keywords: women, perceived stress off the job, responsability for household chores, emotional support, number of children, neuroticism, age.