Although almost 16,000 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer each year, the incident rates have remained stable over recent years, and mortality has decreased consistently since 1975 (American Cancer Society, 2016). With increased survivorship, research and practice in pediatric oncology has focused more on the psychosocial well-being of patients during and after treatment. With research repeatedly indicating that patients and families appear to exhibit great resilience and adjustment, and low incidences of psychosocial difficulties (e.g., Kazak, 1994, Eiser et al. 2000), some researchers have examined adaptive style as a possible construct that may help explain the predominantly positive outcomes (e.g., Phipps and Srivastava, 1997). The current study examined adaptive styles and coping strategies in youth diagnosed with cancer to determine relationships between these variables, as well as between each of these constructs and measures of subjective well-being, and psychosocial and educational adjustment. This study was also the first to examine relationships between youth and parent adaptive styles. A total of 180 youth between 9 and 17 years old who have been diagnosed with cancer participated in this study. Each youth also had one parent who participated. Each youth participant completed a packet of self-report measures used to determine adaptive style group, coping strategy use, and subjective well-being scores. Each parent participant completed a questionnaire to provide sociodemographic information about the youth and parent, as well as information about their child’s illness and school experience. Parents also completed a packet of measures used to provide information about their child’s psychosocial adjustment and risk and to determine parent adaptive style. Data were analyzed to examine relationships between parent and youth adaptive style, group differences on measures of subjective well-being, psychosocial adjustment/risk, and academic variables, relationships between adaptive style and coping strategy use, and the predictive strength of adaptive style and coping strategies for the outcome variables. Although the distribution of adaptive styles was similar among participants in the current study compared to those in previous studies of adaptive style for Repressive, Low Anxious, and Defensive High Anxious adaptive styles, there was a higher percentage of participants with High Anxious adaptive style in the current study. A statistically significant bidirectional relationship was found between youth and parents with a Repressive adaptive style. Results revealed significant differences between groups on measures of subjective well-being and internalizing behaviors, with Repressive adaptive displaying the highest subjective well-being and lowest internalizing behavior scores. Repressive and Low Anxious adaptive style differed significantly from the two High Anxious groups on the school scale scores, with the Repressive and Low Anxious groups having more positive outcomes on the measure. Relating to coping strategies, youth in the two High Anxious groups used more strategies all together, including both adaptive and non-adaptive strategies. However adaptive strategies were more frequently related to positive adaptive styles and outcomes, while non-adaptive strategies tended to have a stronger relationship to High Anxious adaptive style and negative outcomes. Limitations are discussed, and suggestions for future research and practical implications are offered, based on the results of the current study.

Magister Psychologiae - MPsych / The aims of this study were therefore to describe the personal experiences of a methamphetamine addict as well as the effects of this addiction on the family’s communication and problem-solving abilities.

Coming out as a sexual minority can be a challenging process (D’amico, Julien, Tremblay, & Chartrand, 2015) and having supportive allies and advocates within the family makes that process less strenuous (Luke & Goodrich, 2015). The sibling relationship has been shown to play a significant supportive role in the lives of LGB people while coming out as sexual minorities (Haxhe, Cerezo, Bergfeld, & Walloch, 2017). Scholars have found that when a second child within the family system comes out as LGB, it gives the parents a chance to improve aspects of their parenting compared to the first child who came out to them. However, there is still little known about LGB sibling’s shared experience with both being sexual minorities. Chapter 2 in this dissertation is a systemic review on the topic of multiple LGB sibling families. Results indicating that these families exist but are not properly represented in literature. With LGB individuals having an increased risks of negative mental health outcomes (Russell & Fish, 2016), Chapter three explores the lived experiences of LGB individuals with LGB siblings. The purpose of the present study is twofold: 1) to examine if coming out to an LGB sibling increases the chances of an ally/advocate within the family and 2) helps lower negative mental health outcomes. Results from this qualitive study include significant differences of lived experiences based on order the siblings came out with family dynamic changes to improve family cohesion. Participants also reported viewing their siblings as allies which played a role in helping with negative mental health symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Finally, this study utilized feminist family theory and found a less likely chance in power projection once both siblings were out. Clinical implications and future research directions will be discussed at length.

The study explored the narratives of three adoptive couples. The participants were selected using criterion based convenience and snowball sampling. The adoptive couples’ data was captured through written narratives and/or individual or joint semi-structured interviews. The data was then analysed by means of thematic analysis conducted from the perspective of second order cybernetics. The results note the participants’ experiences of their infertility threatened their functioning as a couple. However, this threat to the couples’ functioning was limited by the adoptions through two means. First, the adoptions limited the couples’ communication about their infertility. Second, the adoptions allowed the couples to continue functioning as a couple dedicated to the goal of becoming parents. Differences between the participant couples’ experiences surrounded their interactions with social workers; their selection of support structures; their interaction with external systems; as well as their anxiety towards the individuation of the adopted child. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Parenting children with a hearing loss presents hearing parents with unique parenting challenges. Adapting to and managing these challenges is dependent on parents’ personal and social support as well as the resources available to them. There is limited research regarding hearing parents’ personal and social support and access to appropriate resources. In order to bridge this gap, the aim of the study was to develop guidelines for hearing parents parenting children with a hearing loss. A mixed methods approach with a sequential explanatory design using a two-phased approach was employed in this study. Phase 1 endeavoured to identify the problem and explore the needs of parents by using a staged approach. The sample in this phase included 103 participants in the quantitative study and 13 participants in the qualitative study. Phase 2 applied a consensus workshop made up of two rounds: Round 1 comprised a panel of experts, namely, academics in the field of child, family, and disability studies, and Round 2 included a panel of stakeholders comprised of hearing parents, professionals, Deaf mentors, and leaders working within the field of hearing loss. The purpose of the workshop was to reach consensus on the development of guidelines. From this research, a number of guidelines emerged for parents, focusing on:1) early intervention programmes for hearing parents and children diagnosed with a hearing loss, highlighting guidance and counselling for parents on early identification and screening programmes; 2) the need for social and emotional support to deal with the emotional impact of the diagnosis on the family, the parents, as well as the child with a hearing loss; 3) access to resources and information which is comprehensive and unbiased, allowing parents to make informed choices; and 4) support for communication intervention whereby parents are offered unbiased support in terms of communication options for their children. This study has important implications for the collaboration and partnerships between parents, social services (social workers), and health and family practitioners for the provision of family-centred practices.

Previous research has demonstrated the effect of family cohesion on adolescent outcomes. However, little attention has been given to the effect of adolescence on the family environment. Family systems theory suggests that as adolescents develop, their development will impact the family environment. The current study examined the impact of adolescent development on family cohesion. Specifically, 4 years of data from the Mobile Youth Survey, a study of adolescents living in low-income neighborhoods in Mobile, Alabama, were analyzed. Survey participants were between the ages 13 and 16 and 97 % of them were Black American. Adolescent development was measured using three dimensions—identity style, self-worth, and hopelessness. Family cohesion was measured along two dimensions: maternal and paternal warmth. Adolescent gender was used as a covariate. The longitudinal models revealed that parents responded differently to identity styles and to levels of self-worth depending upon the adolescent’s gender. Our study provides evidence that family cohesion, a key predictor of adolescent behaviors, changes in response to adolescent development.

Having a child with autism results in a unique set of challenges for both parents and siblings. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) has significant empirical support demonstrating its effectiveness as a treatment for children with autism. However, effective behavioral interventions should also consider how the family is affected. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of 8 parents of children with autism who have received ABA treatment and their perceptions of how the family system is impacted by ABA outcomes, specifically focusing on parental well-being and sibling relationship quality. A family systems theoretical framework and phenomenological research method were used. Data were analyzed using content analysis to find the common themes that emerged, which were: parents of children with autism face a high level of stress, but ABA treatment results in a decrease of some sources of stress. Having a child with autism produces strains in family relationships; however, ABA treatment outcomes can help with improved communication between spouses and interactions between siblings. Parents acknowledge challenges associated with ABA treatment but believe that the benefits are worth it. Insights gained from this study were meaningful and practical for professionals who provide ABA treatment to children with autism, as well as for parents of children with autism who may be interested in seeking ABA treatment. Positive social change resulted from the identification of perceived benefits of ABA treatment, such as reduced parental stress and improved relationships amongst all members of the family.

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Mathematical modeling provides a powerful framework for insight into current scientific theories as well as hypothesis generation for further research. Despite its undeniable potential to enrich scientific advancement, the application of mathematical modeling remains conspicuously scarce in the field of family science. The complexity inherent in family dynamics, coupled with the intricate interplay of emotions in the individual, underscores the necessity of a robust analytical approach. Addressing this critical gap in the literature, this thesis introduces a sophisticated mathematical model of family dynamics integrating essential elements from family systems theory, emotion dynamics, and appraisal theory. The model is implemented as a versatile computer program capable of simulating family interaction over time, and allows for customization to suit specific research needs. Noteworthy outcomes from the current model parameters include the emergence of both asymptotic and periodic emotion dynamics, the significant influence of family roles on behavior and rapport, and the ripple effect of a single individual's behavior on the system as a whole. Through the exploration of emergent behaviors, this model offers invaluable insights and paves the way for future mathematical modeling and advancements in family science research.