<p>Past research often considers living alone as a risk factor for older persons. In fact, adverse health outcomes are associated with living arrangement transitions, suggesting a need to consider the dynamic process of living arrangements. Using eight waves of the Health and Retirement Study (1998&ndash;2012), this study examines three research questions: (1) Do older Americans&rsquo; living arrangements exhibit a pattern of sequence? (2) What are implications of living arrangements at particular older ages on life expectancy? (3) What factors predict transitions out of a living alone arrangement? </p><p> The first analysis displays and classifies ordered patterns of living arrangements over time. Baseline living arrangements have a substantial influence on subsequent transitions. Major patterns of women&rsquo;s living arrangement sequences are more diverse than those for men. In particular, living alone is both the major living arrangements at baseline or intermediately after baseline. These results suggest the importance of the living arrangement status at old ages in relation to subsequent living arrangements over time. </p><p> Next, multistate life tables are estimated for calculating life expectancy in total and among distinct living arrangements. While the expected percentage of time spent living alone for men increases with age, about half of women&rsquo;s total life expectancy at any ages is spent living alone. Older persons living alone do not have shorter life expectancies than those in co-residential living arrangements, particularly among women. This suggests a selection process in which less robust older persons tend to transition to other living arrangements or die at younger ages. </p><p> Lastly, discrete-time event history models are used to examine factors associated with transitioning from living alone. Sentinel health events and poorer functional status are associated with an increased risk of death, and, to a lesser extent, a subsequent transition to co-residence or institutionalization. Analyses of transitions from living alone measured concurrently with changes in functional status suggest that many transitions may be immediate reactions to a recent health decline rather than adjustments following a progressive health decline. In either case, subsequent co-residence does not appear to be a common adaptation for many older adults who live alone with increased needs for care. </p>

This study utilized a phenomenological approach to describe the experience of living in a three-generation household after an adult daughter's divorce for members of each generation--divorcing mothers, grandparents, and grandchildren. Topics addressed included: characterizations of divorcing mother-parent relationships and grandparent-grandchild relationships, redefinition of relationship boundaries, and positives and negatives associated with this living arrangement. Divorcing custodial mothers in three-generation households were recruited from a mandated parent education program for divorcing parents in southeastern Arizona. At least one member from each generation in the household participated. Interviews were conducted with 25 individuals in eight families (eight divorcing mothers, nine grandparents, eight grandchildren). Data analysis followed Giorgi's (1985) technique. Results suggested that the redefinition of relationship roles and boundaries (intimacy issues) and the resolution of power issues led to positive relationships and experiences. In the one family doing poorly, numerous instances illustrated the divorcing mother's lack of power within the household. The divorcing mother-parent relationship boundaries had become more hierarchical since coresiding, and the grandparents had overstepped the boundary between "parent" and "grandparent." The resulting tension caused stress for all generations. In the four families who fell between doing poorly and well, the renegotiation of intimacy boundaries had positive effects in terms of improved relationships since coresiding. Power boundaries were still being renegotiated. Again, divorcing mother-parent relationships had hierarchical boundaries, and grandparents had crossed the line between parenting and grandparenting. However, in these families, this may have been due to the divorcing mothers' negative reactions to their separations. In such situations, having grandparents temporarily take on parenting functions for some period of time may be beneficial. These grandparents did express a desire to return to less hierarchical relationships and become more of a "grandparent" than "parent." In the three families doing well, intimacy boundaries did not require renegotiation because the relationships had always been close and supportive. These families were the only ones to describe the value of extended families and family activities. When power issues did arise, family members handled them quickly. Although there was some grandparental. interference in discipline, these grandparents were viewed as "stereotypical" grandparents.

This study was designed to investigate if adults demonstrate egocentric-tendencies, and if so, what factors influence the degree of egocentrism displayed. The investigation was also devised in order to determine if there is a relation between the degree of egocentric-tendencies displayed and marital satisfaction. To measure egocentrism in adults, the Adult Egocentric-Tendency Scale (AETS) was developed. Both the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale and the Marriage Rating Scale were utilized to assess marital satisfaction and functioning. One-hundred-thirty-six (N = 136) first time married individuals from the general population acted as participants. They were administered all three instruments. Findings indicate that egocentric-tendencies are measurable in adults. Furthermore, specific adults (men, those who are highly educated and those with a lower number of children living in the household) tend to display greater degrees of egocentrism. This investigation also uncovered a tendency for marital satisfaction to decrease as egocentrism increases and vice versa. Other factors contributing to marital satisfaction were also explored.

In central Mexico's semi-arid highlands, it is common practice for ejidatarios (members of a communal farm, or ejido) to migrate to the United States and other parts of Mexico in order to generate enough household income. Economic and demographic traits within the household affect the decision of an ejidatario to migrate. This thesis examines the effects of those traits on migration decisions. Migration data and household characteristics were collected from 169 ejidatario families (1415 individual family members) from four ejidos in the state of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. In addition, representatives of various governmental and non-governmental organizations who work with the ejidos were interviewed.

Numerous studies have shown that women with better social support have fewer problems adjusting to breast cancer. However, these studies have a tendency to focus only on emotional support and to assess social support at only one point in time. Additionally, the effect of type of treatment on the use of social support has been overlooked. The present study assessed social support as a multidimensional construct. Changes in social support over time and its relationship to life quality at each point in time were examined, as well as any differences due to treatment type. Tangible assistance, satisfaction with support, and negative interaction decreased over time. Tangible assistance and need for support were found to be greater for women receiving chemotherapy, and their life quality decreased. Tangible assistance, advice, and negative interaction were negatively related to life quality, while satisfaction with support was positively related.

Thirty caregivers were interviewed to determine the reasons for the nursing home placement of a relative. A three part questionnaire was used to measure the variables of change in the caregivers' health, social support, social isolation, financial stress, and care receivers' severity of illness. Caregivers consistently identified a decline in physical and emotional health, increased social isolation, declining informal support, and limited formal support. Nearly 50% of the care receivers' demonstrated inappropriate behaviors. With the identification of the reasons for the nursing home placement, caregivers frequently referred to their declining physical, emotional, and social health. Nearly 50% of the subjects described the nursing home as the only choice, and slightly less than 50% identified feelings of guilt. Further education for both professionals and caregivers is essential to help meet the needs of elders and their families.

This study examined whether young adults with a background of parental divorce differed in their attitudes toward marriage and divorce from young adults from maritally intact families. The study utilized data obtained from a survey questionnaire which provided demographic information as well as data on attitudes toward marriage and divorce. The sample population consisted of 152 University of Arizona undergraduate students ages 18-25. Data were analyzed using the Analysis of Variance Method with the results indicating that family structure (maritally disrupted versus intact) was insignificant as a predictor of young adults' attitudes toward marriage and divorce.

<p> The current study examined the construct of intergenerational transmission of trauma (ITT) in relation to its effect on depressed, anxious, and stress symptoms in a sample of participants who could identify a parent as having survived notable trauma. Parental communication style was examined as the moderating factor. A total of 89 participants comprised the current sample, with a majority of the sample representing individuals who identified as highly educated, female, and born in the United States of America. Five assessment tools were utilized, including the Modified Secondary Trauma Questionnaire (MSTQ; Motta, Hafeez, Sciancalepore, &amp; Diaz, 2001), The Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS; Lovibond, &amp; Lovibond, 1995), The Family Communication Scale (FCS) from The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES-IV; Olson, 2011) and a demographic questionnaire. The most frequent traumas in the sample included loss of parent or other significant family member, physical/sexual/verbal abuse and immigration related trauma. Multiple regression statistics were used to analyze the data, and it was found that MSTQ scores contributed significantly toward the variance in levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. Parent communication style did not moderate these associations. Clinical implications, study limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.</p>

<p> The Darfuri families have been a new population to Colorado. Most of the Darfiuri families come to the USA as Genocide survivor and come from hardship life. The study looks at what factors impacts the Darfuri families&rsquo; life, who are recent immigrant to the USA. Previse research has looked at how the Darfuri family adapted the their new life in Colorado. The study looked at the strengths and the difficulties the Darfuri families handle on a daily basis through several themes including life before the war and during war and after the war, life in the refugee camps and in their new life in Colorado. The primary data was used for the purpose of this thesis. For this study, families consisted of 6 participants who were interviewed. Then qualitative data was analyzed by finding factors that were exhibited through this study. Results provide four common themes throughout the research.</p>

<p> The development of identity occurs and evolves throughout one&rsquo;s life. Major life events contribute to the shaping of one&rsquo;s identity, such as the life event of becoming a mother. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact on the identity development of adoptees when they became mothers through adoption. Previous research on adoptees becoming adoptive mothers was not found as this research study commenced. Therefore, this study was ground-breaking in beginning to understand the complexities inherent for adoptees adopting. The literature review focused upon areas relevant to this topic, including a history of adoption, the development of motherhood, stages of adoptee development throughout the lifespan, an understanding of adoptive mothering, meaning-making through a narrative lens, and historical perspectives on identity development.</p><p> The present study used a qualitative research design in which the researcher interviewed five female adoptees who had become adoptive mothers. Each participant had adopted a minimum of five years before the start of this study. Participants engaged in an appreciative inquiry interview consisting of open-ended questions about their experiences of becoming an adoptive mother.</p><p> The results of this study reveal two large categorical themes and eight subcategories. The large categorical themes are (1) a growing awareness of the impact motherhood had upon identity development for adoptees and (2) an understanding that the experience of adopting could affect the adoptee&rsquo;s sense of self. The subcategories include the following: the impact being an adoptee had upon the experience of becoming a mother; the ways in which the experience of adopting stimulated memories of growing up as an adoptee; the manner in which adopting generated memories of their own mothers&rsquo; mothering, as well as creating the new shared experience of both being adoptive parents; the surprises that arose when the adoptee became a mother; the new experience of motherhood influenced by growing up as an adoptee; the deepening of self-understanding through the process of becoming a mother; the ways that becoming an adoptive mother brought both healing and pain; and loss and gain revisited through the lens of new motherhood.</p><p> These themes are discussed within the context of the literature reviewed in Chapter II. Limitations of the present study, clinical implications, and recommendations for future research are also addressed.</p>