by Wong Dick Ming, Anthony. / Bibliography: leaves 147-155 / Thesis (M.S.W.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1984

Sibling relationships are central to the lives of American children and, for many of them, they are the longest lasting relationships they will have in their lifetimes. Interactions with siblings often serve as training grounds for other interpersonal relationships, making them particularly important for children who may not have stable adult figures in their lives. Drawing on data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study when children were nine and 15 years of age, this study examines how family contexts are associated with the quality of sibling relationships, how sibling relationships are related to children and youth’s behavioral trajectories, and whether positive sibling relationships are protective in terms of children’s behaviors. A secondary goal of this study was to understand the importance of sibling relationships in the context of other family relationships, such as the mother-child relationship and the father-child relationships. Finally, increases in family fluidity and complexity have led to the increase in many different types of sibling configurations in children’s homes, including half- and stepsiblings. This study sought to understand if there were differential effects of sibling type in terms of relationship quality and its impact on children’s behavior outcomes. Results from this study indicated that sibling relationships were more positive in single-parent households compared to married-parent households when no other factors other than family structure were taken into consideration. Furthermore, sibling relationship conflict was significantly lower in single-parent households compared to married-parent households when the child was nine. There was strong evidence to support that high sibling relationship conflict was associated with more child-reported and mother-reported problem behaviors, such as engagement in criminal activities toward others, drug and substance use, and engaging in theft and vandalism. Above and beyond the effects of living in a single-parent household or living in a household with high family instability, having highly conflictual sibling relationships were strongly associated with poor behavior outcomes for nine year olds. Slightly different results emerged for when the child was 15. Although having positive sibling relationships was generally associated with a reduced likelihood of engaging in behaviors such as criminal activities toward others, theft, vandalism and drug and substance use, the buffer of having a positive sibling relationship was not enough to counter the negative impact of living in particular family environments. In examining the quality of sibling relationships and also the effect of sibling relationships on children’s behavior outcomes, one of the most consistent predictors was the child’s report of closeness with his or her mother and father. Close mother-child relationships were consistently associated with more positive and less conflictual sibling relationships, and, to a lesser degree, close father-child relationships. The goal of this study was to add to the growing body of empirical research on the importance and relevance of sibling relationships. Findings from this study can be used to inform family-based intervention programs for adolescents; intervention programs that aim to increase prosocial behaviors and reduce problem behaviors for at-risk youth should more frequently involve siblings, as targeting sibling pairs to improve social competencies such as conflict and aggression management might have promising outcomes.

Thirty-one parents of trainable mentally retarded males and females ranging in age from 3 to 21 were used as the sample. Two instruments, the <u>Family Adaptation and Cohesion Evaluation Scale</u>, and the <u>Family Satisfaction Scale<</u> were used to collect data. Responses were compiled and differences in mother-father responses were statistically analyzed, together with effects of age, sibling order and sex of the child. No statistically significant differences were found between parents of male mentally retarded children and parents of female mentally retarded children on FACES II or FSS; nor were statistically significant differences found between parents of eldest siblings and those mentally retarded children born in other sibling positions on FACES II. However, mothers scored significantly higher on family adaptation and cohesion, and fathers scored significantly higher on family satisfaction. Parents of eldest female mentally retarded offspring scored significantly higher on family satisfaction than those parents with mentally retarded daughters of other sibling positions. Information gathered from parents regarding their needs for community services and education centered on the family. / Master of Science / incomplete_metadata

M.Ed. (Psychology of Education) / The purpose of this study is to determine whether adulthood is indeed influenced by essential family responsibilities. Therefore, an investigation into this facet to adulthood is necessitated.The family unit is responsible for the child's development to adulthood. According to research literature, the responsible parent in the family unit should respectively see to the emotional and material needs of the family on both an individual level as well as a communal level. These responsibilities also include : the creation of a secure environment based on u~conditional love, respect and acceptance; the setting of a good moral example which children may identify with; the emphasis of faithfulness in the marital role; and the creation of and participation in constructive, recreational family activities.These responsibilities will enable parents to fulfill their multi-dimensional educational role. The problem investigated was to ascertain how important these family responsibilities are deemed to be for the development to acceptable adulthood in the Republic of South Africa. Research was therefore undertaken to investigate certain family responsibilities featured prominently in the literature studied. The empirical component of the investigation was based on the implementation of a questionnaire. Concerning validity and reliability, a principal component analysis (PCA) was followed by a principal factor analysis (PFA) in the first order analysis. This was followed by a second order PCA and PFA...

The number of children in the United States with an incarcerated parent continues to rise. Currently, more than 1.7 million children have at least one incarcerated parent. In addition, research has found that children with criminally involved parents are at a higher risk of also becoming offenders (Glaze & Maruschak, 2010). Research has shown that incarcerated parents' abilities to maintain communication with their children may decrease negative behaviors while incarcerated and may decrease the negative effects of being removed from their families. The current study utilizes secondary data to explore the types of communication incarcerated parents use in order to stay connected with their children. The goal is to understand gendered differences regarding how incarcerated mothers versus incarcerated fathers choose to communicate with their children, and to understand which forms of communication (letter writing, face to face visits, and phone calls) are utilized most often by incarcerated parents to maintain and strengthen the bonds with their children. Logistic Regressions identified that incarcerated mothers are more likely to have at least one visit, phone call, and will utilize more forms of communication in a month's time, with their children. These findings both support and contradict previous studies. Implications of the findings and further suggestions are discussed.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1978.

Drawing on developments in the field of family history and studies of families in contemporary settings, the study addresses the question of explaining variations in household patterns. Its empirical basis is a survey of White households in Grahamstown. The surveyed population was broken down in terms of class (occupation) and culture (language) and analyses conducted to determine if there are any statistically significant relationships between these variables and the tendency to reside in particular household structures. The question of 'family ideology' was also addressed as an attempt was made to uncover subjects' views on a variety of family-related issues. On the basis of the research results, a model of the relationship between class, culture and household structure was developed. Its application to a comparison of Black and White household structures in South Africa as well as the United States, is discussed. Finally, attempts at redefining the family are addressed and a new definition of the family proposed.

M.A. (Psychology) / Although the reconstituted family is an ever-increasing phenomenon in society today, there is a shortage of literature and research studies on the subject. It is, therefore, the aim of this study to obtain more information regarding the functioning of this type of family structure. The major part of this study consists of a theoretical literature survey of the functioning of the reconstituted family measured against the healthy and optimal functioning of the traditional nuclear family. The following aspects of healthy functioning in the reconstituted family were reviewed: cohesion, communication, commitment, adaptation, establishment of boundaries, the power structure, the extent of autonomy, acceptance of separation and loss, the perception of reality, and affect. The phases of family development in the reconstituted family were also discussed because of their importance in the evaluation of family functioning. In addition, research literature was used to emphasize the complexity of the reconstituted family's functioning in relation to aspects such as boundaries and family integration. There is, however, a definite gap in research on systemic aspects such as communication and cohesion which relate to positive and optimal functioning in the reconstituted family.

D.Phil. (Social Work) / Both woman and child abuse are pervasive social phenomena that affect woman and children of all races, nationalities, socio-economic groups and cultures. The co-occurrence of woman and child abuse is a social phenomenon that remains largely misunderstood by the public. Although the two categories of abuse often occur together, they are dealt with separately at an intervention level and managed by different institutions, non-governmental organisations and agencies. Child welfare organisations focus on child abuse often misdiagnosing or,ignoring woman abuse and women's organisations focus on woman abuse not making the link between woman and child abuse. This study assumes that the intervention of social workers isinfluenced by their theoretical framework and that a third theoretical framework is required to address this bifurcation in services to abused women and 'children. . This study examines the phenomenon of woman and child abuse co-occurring in the same family system and the implications that this has for practice. The findings of the study show a definite split in services provided to abused children and those provided to abused women. This split is seen not only in service provision but also in the theoretical frameworks of the social workers concerned, as well as the philosophies and mandates of the organisations for which they work. In addition, it was found that the phenomenon of woman and child abuse co-occurring is not well recognised or understood by social workers often leading to inappropriate and ineffective responses. The generalist practice framework is put forward as a means of addressing this phenomenon holistically and effectively. This framework is used to draw on aspects of the child welfare approach as well as the feminist approach and includes aspects of the strengths perspective and developmental social welfare to ensure a contextually appropriate framework. The Generalist Practice Model as described by Kirst, Ashman & Hull (2002) is utilized as a guideline for addressing woman and child abuse in same family systems.

This study addresses the factors that assist families towards family adaptation during adversities and contribute to family resilience. The study aimed to identify, describe and explore family resilience factors that enable urban Shona Christian families to withstand life crises in the midst of a society facing economic hardships and manage to bounce back from these challenges. The study also sought to reach out to families facing challenges and who are struggling to adapt and recover from their challenges. The Resiliency model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation was used as a theoretical framework for this study (McCubbin, Thompson & McCubbin, 2001). A quantitative method was employed. A total of 106 participants including parents and adolescents from 53 families independently completed 6 questionnaires including a biographical questionnaire. The questionnaires measured family adaptation and aspects of family functioning in accordance with the Resiliency model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation. The data collected was subjected to correlation regression analysis which was computed using SPSS to identify family resilience factors that assisted families in family adaptation. The results showed that family adaptation was fostered by first, the family’s internal strengths; affirming and less incendiary communication; passive appraisal; and control over life events and hardships. Secondly, the family’s external strengths; seeking spiritual support; social support from within the community; and mobilising the family to acquire community resources and accept help from others. These findings could be used to develop interventions that promote family resilience and establish the potential of family members within a family when facing adversities. / Psychology / M.A. (Social Science)