Thesis (Ph. D.)--Catholic University of AMerica, 1927. / Vita. Bibliography: p. 150-154.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2009. / Title from title screen (site viewed July 21, 2009). PDF text: xiii, 243 p. ; 4 Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3350456. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

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Traditional sociological analyses has suggested that urbanization leads to decreased family ties and contact. Previous studies, cited in this paper, have explored this phenomenon with varying results. This paper explores the correlation between distance and contact between married adults in Muncie, Indiana, and same and different sex parents. It is hypothesized that both telephone/letter and face to face contact will diminish as distance increases. A second hypothesis explored in this paper suggests that contact is sexually differentiated with mothers being contacted most frequently and fathers least.Analysis of these data shows relatively high levels of contact between married offspring and their parents. The hypotheses in this study were supported: both telephone/letter and face to face contact diminish with increases in distance and contact patterns are affected by the sex of the parent and offspring. Mothers and daughters have the most frequent contact, fathers and sons the least.

The descriptive study examines The American nuclear family (parents and minor children) as a system comprised of multiple, dynamic and interdependent elements. The familial system and its individual members are frequently challenged by internal conflict. Such intrafamily conflict encompasses a range of factors. This study centers on two of the key variables: roles and power. As separate, yet interdependent variables, roles and power merit scholarly examination because of their significant impact on the family structure and the communication of its members. In effect, roles and power are mutually developed, modified and maintained through the intrafamily communication process.Utilizing the General Systems Theory (as outlined by Ruben) and Social Exchange Theory (as explicated by Thibault and Kelley), this study concluded that as individual roles change within a family, the level of conflict tends to increase. Likewise, changes in location and level of power tend to precede conflict. These tendencies toward increased conflict were reflected in a case study analysis of the commercial film, "Ordinary People." By analyzing the metamorphis of power and roles in the behavior of key characters in the film, it became apparent that conflict was a visible and substantive outcome of such changes.Based upon this study, one may conclude that General Systems Theory and Social Exchange Theory serve as viable constructs for describing and analyzing the variables of roles and power within the family structure.

Family enrichment for the purpose of improving family relationships is a new method that has not yet been explored in depth. The materials available for family enrichment are quite limited and need to be expanded before their use can be validated. The purpose of this project was to develop and evaluate a leader's manual for family enrichment following an Adlerian activity approach. Family enrichment is a process of intervention based on a prearranged, programmed manual dealing with interpersonal relations between and among family members. A manual was developed that was practical, action-oriented, and based on Adlerian theory. The materials in the manual were designed specifically for use by whole family units. The methods described in this manual are suitable both for weekend retreats and weekly growth groups. The Adlerian concepts presented in the manual were based primarily on materials from Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) by Dinkmeyer and McKay (1976) and Teaching With Confidence: How to Get Off the Classroom Wall by Hillman (1980). Most of the activities used in each of the enrichment sessions were developed by the author. After the manual was completed, it was evaluated by a panel of five judges, and by seven families who participated in a family enrichment weekend retreat, where the leader's manual was utilized. The evaluation instruments consisted of three questionnaires that were devised by the author. A panel of judges rated the manual favorably in all categories of the evaluation. The subject of family enrichment, the Adlerian concepts and activities, and the format used in the manual received positive ratings. Participants in the family enrichment weekend also favorably rated individual sessions in the program. The eight topics were considered to be appropriate for families working toward the improvement of family relationships. They indicated that the warm-up presentations, activities, and follow-up discussions fit together well and that the activities were appropriate in length and age level. The experience was rated as being pleasurable for the whole family, and the activities as appropriate for future use at home. An overall evaluation of the total enrichment program showed it helped to: (1) increase positive feelings about family members, (2) increase understanding of family values, (3) create more family cooperation in decision-making, (4) recognize family strengths and individual strengths, and (5) improve family relationships. Evaluation by the panel of judges and the participants in the family enrichment program supports the usefulness of the leader's manual. Many reactions by these two groups were similar and in agreement. Both sets of evaluators responded favorably to the idea of families working together as total units to improve relationships, and supported the use of activities in this process. The overly full schedule was noted by both groups as a problem area in the manual. The lack of structured learning experiences for the young children and the inadequate sleeping accommodations were also cited as problem areas by the weekend participants. This project suggests that the family enrichment manual appears to be a useful tool for leaders to use when conducting family enrichment programs. It also appears that the family enrichment weekend retreat, that utilized the manual, was a worthwhile experience for the families involved.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 172-175).

Thesis--University of Florida. / Description based on print version record. Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 229-237).

This thesis was to explore the relationships between occupational conditions and parental behaviors and values. The data set for this thesis were taken from the 1988 National Survey of Families and Households, which includes a national crosssectional sample of 13,017 primary respondents. The subsamples used here were limited to married or cohabiting white families with children under 18 years old. Pearson’s r and one-way analysis of variance were used to examine the zero-order relationships among all the independent and dependent variables. Multiple regression analyses were adopted to present the relative importance of independent variables in predicting different aspects of parental childrearing practices. Findings from bivariate and multivariate analyses show that different dimensions of work-related variables examined in this thesis, such as occupational socioeconomic status, work hours and schedules, job satisfaction and employment status, are associated with different aspects of parental behaviors and values. Gender is found to be a very important factor in predicting parental involvement, negative responses and values. In general, these work-related variables explain limited variance of parental child-rearing styles. Based on the findings of the study, implications for academic research on the relationships between parental behaviors and values and working conditions were also discussed in the thesis. / Master of Science

Since the late 1990s accelerated growth in health care spending coupled with a cost shift of health insurance from employers to employees has created an increased financial burden for many families. Past research suggests that financial burden due to out-of-pocket (OOP) health care costs limits access to health care and may reduce spending on other basic needs, such as food. The primary objective of this study was to assess the relationship between out-of-pocket health care expenditures and food insecurity among families with children. Secondarily, this study examined the relationship between the health status of children and household food security. This study used data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID, 2003) to test whether higher out of pocket health care expenditures increase household food insecurity for families with children. Respondents reported out of pocket expenditures for both medical services and insurance premiums in 2001 and 2002. Food insecurity was measured for the previous 12 months using the 18-item USDA Food Security Survey Module. Multivariate weighted logit analysis was conducted to model the relationship between OOP health care costs and household food security status; and child health status and household food security. There was no evidence that higher OOP health care costs were associated with household food insecurity. However, among families earning less than 300 percent of the federal poverty threshold, having private insurance did increase the likelihood of experiencing food insecurity (OR =4.77, 95% CI = 0.05 - 1.02). Households with a child in poor health were not more likely to experience food insecurity; however having a wife in poor health was associated with food insecurity (OR = 4.00, 95% CI =1.67-9.52). The findings from this study suggest that programs designed to limit OOP health care spending among moderate and low income families should evaluate the impact on household food security. / Graduation date: 2013 / Access restricted to the OSU Community at author's request from July 23, 2012 - July 23, 2013