Few studies have examined how physical activities of family members affect the overall functioning of a family in general. This study utilized a family-systems perspective with the idea that what happens in one area of family system will impact others, specifically the impact of physical activity on overall family functioning. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of physical activities of family members on the functioning of the family. Within the family system perspective, it was hypothesized that participants whose family reported higher levels of physical activities would report better family functioning. Eighty-four college students in a parenting class answered a survey regarding their own and their parents' physical activities, and family functioning. Family functioning was assessed using the General Functioning Subscale of the McMaster Family Assessment Device (Epstein, Baldwin, & Bishop, 1983). This study used a simple linear regression analysis to analyze the data. The findings suggested there was no direct association between participation in physical activities and general family functioning. Furthermore, no direct relationship was found from physical activity to stress. However, stress there was a relationship between stress and general family functioning. Implications of the findings were also discussed. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Summer Semester, 2013. / June 7, 2013. / Family Functioning, Physical Activity / Includes bibliographical references. / Ming Cui, Professor Directing Thesis; Wayne Denton, Committee Member; Naresh Dalal, Committee Member.

The purpose of this study was to examine the links between early social capital (kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades) on later academic achievement (5th and 8th grade) in a sample of 900 Hispanic children. Data were from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study- Kindergarten cohort where a focal child started kindergarten for the first time during the 1998-99 school year and for whom data were available through 8th grade. Four domains of social capital were explored: parental involvement with the school, parental involvement in the home, parenting practices and warmth, and intergenerational closure. Academic achievement was measured using IRT scores in reading/English, math, and science taken at the end of 5th and 8th grades. Regression analyses showed that after controlling for certain demographic characteristics and previous achievement (K through 3rd or 5th grades), the four domains of social capital did not strongly influence later academic achievement in 5th and 8th grade. Earlier intergenerational closure provided a small contribution to explaining better performance in science in the 5th grade. The results suggest that the strongest contribution to later academic success is earlier academic success. Future studies should explore other potential measures of social capital, as well as other sources of influence such as siblings, peers, and school personnel. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Summer Semester, 2013. / May 3, 2013. / academic achievement, ECLS-K, Hispanic children, social capital / Includes bibliographical references. / Kay Pasley, Professor Directing Thesis; Ann Mullis, Committee Member; Ithel Jones, Outside Committee Member.

Problem/ Purpose: Delinquent behavior is a concern during the period of adolescence. In 2009, there were approximately 2 million arrests of youth under the age of 18 (Puzzachera & Adams, 2011). Although a majority of delinquent activity desists by late-adolescence (Agnew, 2003; Hirschi & Gottfredson, 1983; Moffitt, 1993), many adolescents continue this behavior into young adulthood (Hoeve et al., 2008; Mulvey, 2011; Piquero, Hawkins et al., 2012). Since, familial factors are one of the most important when considering delinquent behavior (Nye, 1958), this study explores how familial processes (e.g. parental control and parent-adolescent relationship) along with other factors relate to adolescent delinquency and young adult criminal behavior. Theoretical Framework: Social Learning Theory (Akers, 1973; Bandura, 1977), Baumrind's parenting typology (1965), Social Control Theory (Nye, 1958), and life course perspective (Elders, 1985) are used as theoretical guides in establishing a relationship between parental control, parent-adolescent relationships, delinquency, and criminal behavior. Methods/Design: This study used participant information concerning parental control, parent-adolescent relationship, delinquency, and criminal behavior from Waves I, II, and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). Analysis: Negative binomial regression was used in conjunction with "Svy" estimation method in Stata to analyze the data. Results: It was found that parental control had a negative relationship with delinquency (b = -.048, 95% CI [-.087, -.008], exp(b) or OR =.954, p < .05) (H1). Also, a curvilinear relationship between parental control and delinquency was found (b = .029, 95% CI [.001, .056], OR =1.03, p < .05) (H2). Regarding covariates, older (b =-.048, 95% CI [-.077, -.019], OR = .953, p < .01) and female adolescents (b =-.665, 95% CI [-.748, -.582], OR = .514, p < .01) reported lower odds of engaging in delinquent behavior than younger and male adolescents. Latino (b= .272, 95% CI [.138, .405], OR =1.31, p < .01) and Asian (b= .220, 95% CI [.034, .406], OR =1.25, p < .01) adolescents reported higher odds of engaging in delinquent behavior than White adolescents. Adolescents who were living in a single mother family (b = .327, 95% CI [.226, .428], OR =1.39, p < .01), single father family (b= .613, 95% CI [.413, .812, OR =1.85, p < .01), stepfamily (b= .252, 95% CI [.149, .354], OR =1.29, p < .01), or other family structures (b =.300, 95% CI [.111, .489], OR =1.35, p < .01) reported higher odds of engaging in delinquent behavior than adolescents who were living in a two biological parent family.. Adolescents who reported more peer influence had higher odds of engaging in delinquent behavior (b= .100, 95% CI [.068, .131], OR =1.11, p < .01). Parental education was not significantly relate to adolescent delinquent behavior. No moderating effects were found by parent-adolescent relationship, gender, and race between parental control and delinquency. Delinquency was found to peak during mid-adolescence. Finally, delinquency did not mediate the association between parental control in adolescence and adult criminal behavior. Implications of the findings were discussed. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester, 2013. / March 5, 2013. / Criminal Behavior, Delinquency, Parent-adoelscent relationship, Parental control / Includes bibliographical references. / Ming Cui, Professor Directing Dissertation; Eric Stewart, University Representative; Lenore McWey, Committee Member; Ronald Mullis, Committee Member.

This study developed and tested a new measure to assess the three dimensions of maternal gatekeeping as outlined by Puhlman and Pasley (2013) to determine the validity and reliability of the measure. Using data from a survey of 460 mothers and fathers of children ages 3-6 enrolled in preschools in Leon County, Florida, findings resulted in a measure that captured the three dimensions. Face validity was established by soliciting support from national experts and parents to assess whether the items reflected their expected dimensions. Then a three-factor solution resulted in separate models for mothers and fathers reflecting the intended dimensions. Correlations between the subscales and those of an established gatekeeping measure and a coparenting measure were examined to establish construct validity. Finally, criterion validity was established through cluster analysis where two groups of gatekeepers were identified representing the proposed two major categories of gatekeepers, and differences in scores on father involvement were examined. As expected, those classified as Polarized gatekeepers, specifically Passive Gatewelcomers, reported significantly higher levels in the quality of father involvement for mothers and father reports and higher frequency of father involvement for mother reports. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2013. / April 24, 2013. / Coparenting, Fathering, Maternal Gatekeeping, Parenting / Includes bibliographical references. / Kay Pasley, Professor Directing Dissertation; Kathryn Tillman, University Representative; Lenore McWey, Committee Member; Kendal Holtrop, Committee Member.

Anxiety disorder treatment is less effective when individuals receiving treatment report committed romantic relationship distress. As such, many have argued that the need to adapt or develop couples based interventions for those with anxiety disorders. In order to effectively adapt these interventions, it is first necessary to create a method to more accurately identify those with anxiety disorders who would benefit from couples based interventions, and determine if those with anxiety disorders who would benefit from these interventions have relationship patterns that are different from those without anxiety disorders. One way to address both of these needs is by examining positive and negative components of committed romantic relationships and using these components to construct committed romantic relationship profiles. Using data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication, this study tested 1) if a two component measure of committed romantic relationship quality provides better fit than a one dimensional measure; 2) if those with anxiety disorders have committed romantic relationship profiles similar to those proposed by Fincham and Beach (2010); 3) if those with anxiety disorders are more likely to have negative profiles committed romantic relationship profile; and 4) if couples with anxiety disorders have a greater degree of negativity and a lesser degree of positivity in their relationships. Results demonstrate the measuring committed romantic relationship quality with positive and negative components provided a more valid measure than one dimensional measures, that the committed romantic relationship profiles of those with anxiety disorders are distinct from those proposed by Fincham and Beach, and that more negativity is reported in the committed romantic relationship of those with anxiety disorders when compared to those without. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2013. / June 3, 2013. / Anxiety, Couples, Marital Quality / Includes bibliographical references. / Wayne Denton, Professor Directing Dissertation; Brad Schmidt, University Representative; Lenore McWey, Committee Member; Kendal Holtrop, Committee Member.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the experience of uncertainty in illness for couples in the post-treatment phase of a cancer diagnosis. More specifically, the study sought to determine if lower levels of cancer uncertainty could lead to higher satisfaction with life, lower depression, and lower anxiety for both members of the couple. The additional influence of coping skill usage and relationship satisfaction was also examined in the context of the couple relationship. Symbolic interactionism was the theoretical framework guiding this study. Data was collected through the Midwestern Site of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America and their volunteer participant program called Cancer Fighters as well as through Facebook recruitment. Data analyses involved using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) as well as path analysis using AMOS (Arbukle, 2006) software to examine the hypotheses. Results indicated a direct relationship between partners uncertainty and depression, anxiety, and satisfaction with life. Survivors results indicated a direct relationship between their uncertainty and anxiety. Finally, a direct relationship was indicated from partner's uncertainty to survivor's depression and anxiety. These findings suggest that a partner's level of uncertainty during the survivorship stage can function as the most influential aspect of the adjustment to post-treatment life. Implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester, 2013. / November 1, 2013. / Cancer, Couples, Survivorship, Uncertainty / Includes bibliographical references. / Wayne Denton, Professor Directing Dissertation; Mary Gerend, University Representative; Lenore McWey, Committee Member; Carol Darling, Committee Member.

Disproportionate rates of prostate cancer and high-mortality rates from prostate cancer among African American (AA) men have provided the impetus to examine factors which influence prostate cancer screening (PCS) in the AA male population. This study focused on prostate cancer screening, which included the digital rectal exam (DRE) and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test as the outcome variables. Literature has indicated an association between intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community factors and prostate cancer screening. In addition, the independent variable of intention was examined as a mediator that links the various factors to the outcome variable of the PSA test. Based on the social ecological model and the theory of planned behavior, I hypothesized that: 1) AA men who were over 50 years old, with a college degree, had higher levels of income, a perceived better health-status ranking had higher, positive rates for receiving prostate cancer screening; 2) AA men who were married, and had the presence of marital support, and family support had higher rates of receiving positive prostate cancer screening; 3) higher rates of church attendance, more church member support, and better access to health care would be associated with higher levels of prostate cancer screening; 4) the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and community factors were combined to be associated with the likelihood of AA men receiving prostate cancer screening; and 5) these factors were associated with the likelihood of prostate cancer screening though intention to have a PSA test. Using data from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention's 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), results from logistic regression suggested that 1) intrapersonal factors were significant and associated with receiving prostate cancer screening ; 2) the interpersonal factors were not significant or associated with AA men receiving prostate cancer screening; 3) community factors were significant and associated with receiving prostate cancer screening; 4) the additive effective of intrapersonal, interpersonal and community factors were significant and associated with prostate cancer screening; and 5) there was no evidence of mediation by intention to receive a PSA test. The study adds to the literature on AA men and prostate cancer screening by separately examining three groups of factors that interact with AA men on a personal, social and environmental level. The findings suggested the importance of several factors (age, income, church attendance, and access to health care) that could provide useful information for designing interventions to promote prostate cancer screening among AA men. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester, 2013. / August 21, 2013. / African American men, Digital rectal exam, Prostate Cancer, Prostate cancer screening, Prostate specific antigen test / Includes bibliographical references. / Ming Cui, Professor Directing Dissertation; James Whyte, IV, University Representative; Lenore McWey, Committee Member; Penny Ralston, Committee Member.

ABSTRACT In the past, the majority of infant caregiving has been done by mothers or other female care-givers (Bailey, 1994; Hossain, Field, Pickens, Malphurs, & Del Valle, 1997). Yet, most fathers (91%) were involved with the mother at the time of the babies' birth (Gottman, Gottman & Shapiro, 2010). Fathers who had "close physical contact" interacted more with their infants (Park & Swain, 1977). In addition, fathers who saw infant caregiving activities demonstrated mirrored these behaviors with their own infants (Parke, Hymel, Power, & Tinsely, 1980; Harrison et al., 1996). Fathers who were present and active in the lives of their children provided support contributing to the emotional development of their children by being emotionally and physically available and engaged (Parke, 1996; Parke & Brott, 1999). Infant massage increased parental competency, frequency, and quality of caregiving activities by fathers with their infants (Cullen et al., 2000; Scholz & Samuels, 1992). This study aimed to explore the experiences, attitudes, and perspectives of fathers massaging their infants. Five fathers and five infants participated in an exploratory pilot case study to determine what, if any, perceived benefits existed or accrued for fathers who massaged their infants. In this three week study fathers provided infant massage to their infants every night before bedtime and recorded their activities in diaries. Initial and final interviews and videorecordings captured the fathers massaging their infants, their attitudes and perceptions of their experiences. This data was analyzed using Atlas.ti and qualitative process coding. The findings were that father's enjoyed massaging their infants and believed that their infants enjoyed being massaged. Fathers reported: they desired opportunities to spend time with their infants; feelings of contributing to their infants' comfort; competence and confidence in their interactions with their infants; and provided the mothers temporary relief from their child care activities. Additionally, the data demonstrated the attachment constructs of awareness, emotional expression, engagement cues, motivation, relationship, sensitivity supporting attachment theory as an appropriate theoretical framework to study the father child dyad. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester, 2013. / September 16, 2013. / Atlas.ti, Attachment theory, Father, Fathering, Infant Massage, Qualitative / Includes bibliographical references. / Marsha Rehm, Professor Directing Dissertation; Mary Frances Hanline, University Representative; Wayne Denton, Committee Member; Ming Cui, Committee Member.

Twelve married couples fostering special needs children completed a 6-month, weekly, individualized marital strengthening intervention based on Gottman's Sound Marital House model. 66% (8 couples) were located three to seven years later and interviewed about what they have found useful in that experience. The interview was semi-structured and non-directive and informed a grounded theory approach. The findings indicate that, for this sample, some curricular concepts were experienced as important. However, the findings also suggested that family science researchers and program evaluators should consider not just curricular particulars but the entire process of enrolling and participating in such a program, namely, generic therapeutic aspects of participation. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester, 2013. / October 21, 2013. / Adoption, Marriage education / Includes bibliographical references. / Robert E. Lee, Professor Directing Dissertation; David Gussak, University Representative; Christine A. Readdick, Committee Member.

Unplanned pregnancy is prevalent in the United States and has been linked to challenges for both mothers and their children over time. However, existing literature is limited by unrepresentative samples, retrospective reports of pregnancy intention, and lack of theoretical guidance. Studies have not yet identified mechanisms through which pregnancy intention is associated with children's outcomes, to sufficiently inform clinical practice. This current study addressed these limitations through inclusion of an at-risk sample of 224 first-time mothers from the Predicting and Preventing Neglect in Teen Mothers Study, assessing pregnancy intention during the third trimester of pregnancy, and testing mechanisms in the association between pregnancy intention and children's outcomes which were hypothesized by Family Systems Theory. The study also examined reciprocal associations among hypothesized mediators, including maternal depressive symptoms, parenting stress, and coparenting satisfaction. Mediation analyses revealed that both parenting stress and coparenting satisfaction when children were 24 months old served as mechanisms in the association between unplanned pregnancy and children's social-emotional competence at 36 months. Additionally, a cross-lagged longitudinal model suggested multiple pathways through which unplanned pregnancy was associated with children's externalizing, internalizing, dysregulation, and social-emotional competence at 36 months. Maternal depressive symptoms tended to predict later parenting stress which, in turn, was associated with later coparenting satisfaction and children's behavioral outcomes. Implications for future research are discussed, including collection of data from multiple respondents and assessment of pregnancy intention prospectively. Clinical implications for work with at-risk parents are also outlined. Specifically, the results suggest that early intervention with mothers experiencing unplanned pregnancies to specifically address depressive symptoms, parenting stress, and coparenting may serve to promote healthy outcomes among their children over time. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2014. / May 20, 2014. / At-Risk Families, Children, Coparenting, Depression, Parenting, Pregnancy Intention / Includes bibliographical references. / Lenore M. McWey, Professor Directing Dissertation; Sally Karioth, University Representative; Ming Cui, Committee Member; Kendal Holtrop, Committee Member.