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Objectives: In this study, the researchers examined adult children's experience during and after their parents' late‐life divorce. The study applies a familial/dyadic perspective. Family systems theory is used heuristically. Background: Late‐life divorce is rising due to increased social legitimacy of divorce and life‐expectancy. As parents age, their adult children become more involved in their parents' lives. Accordingly, adult children are expected to fulfill roles in their parents' life transitions such as late‐life divorce. However, adult children's experiences regarding their parents late‐life divorce is not as available in previous studies, especially from a dyadic/familial perspective. Method: Semistructured in‐depth qualitative‐interviews were conducted separately with 51 participants (28 adult children, 23 parents) composed of seven family units (n = 33) and nine parent–child‐dyads (n = 18). Thematic analysis and dyadic interview analysis were used. Results: During the divorce, adult children experienced meaningful roles supporting their parents, mediating between them, or pushing them to finalize the divorce. Some avoided involvement. Parents described roles they assigned to their adult children and their consequences. After divorce, adult children continued supporting their parents, experiencing role reversal earlier than expected. Their new roles included relieving loneliness and worry and providing care. Conclusion: The roles adult children experience reveals unique challenges for adult‐child–parent relationships after parents' late‐life divorce, influencing the family system. Implications: Conceptualizing adult children's roles and the implications for family systems contributes to theoretical knowledge. Family counselors should provide families with relevant tools to deal with these consequences. Policy makers and training programs for family therapy should address the consequences of late‐life divorce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a survey of literature written on the concepts of estrangement and cut‐off, comparing the similarities of the two concepts and distinguishing significant differences in the scope and theoretical underpinnings of the ideas. Lucy Blake's review of the research studies on estrangement available in 2017 found no common agreement on the concept of estrangement. Quantitative research focused on the amount of contact and qualitative research on the quality of the contact. Susan Forward's approach to rifts between adult children and their parents, which is reflected in the work of the Standalone organisation in Britain, is that parents who are critical or non‐affirming of their adult child are toxic. These traits are thought to create difficulties in the life of the adult child, who is advised to sever contact as a step towards self‐actualisation. On the other hand, Joshua Coleman and Karl Pillemer focus on estrangement as the outcome of the tension between the parent and child, both of whom play a part in the rift, advocating that each side moderate their reactivity, blame and expectations. Kylie Agllias's research utilises concepts from family systems theory, recommending the effort to self‐regulate and to understand one's contribution to the reactivity as integral to reconciliation. Murray Bowen conceptualised the family as a multigenerational family system with varying mechanisms, including cut‐off, to handle tension as the family unit adapts to stressors over time. Cut‐off is an outcome of the family's level of anxiety and the capacity of the family for differentiation, their thoughtful collaboration with one another to address the challenges they face. The effort to bridge cut‐off is one aspect of an individual's effort to be a more thoughtful, connected presence in the family system as work on differentiation of self. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has not considered how digital communication fits with the established intergenerational solidarity paradigm, although the paradigm has undergone other refinements over time. Consequently, less is known about how the use of digital communication creates new types of intergenerational solidarity between parents and adult children, and how they are associated with their well‐being. With this foundation, we aimed to identify new dyadic patterns of intergenerational solidarity between parents and adult children during the COVID‐19 pandemic in South Korea, with an emphasis on digital communication (texting, video call, and social media interaction), its intersection with other dimensions of solidarity, and its association with parents' and children's well‐being (depressive symptoms, self‐esteem, and life satisfaction). Using an online survey method, we collected data from 407 parent–adult child dyads between April and June 2022 from the Seoul Metropolitan area in South Korea. Three‐step latent class analysis was used for data analysis. We identified four classes describing intergenerational solidarity between parents and adult children (tight‐knit, distant‐but‐digitally‐connected, conflictual, and independent). We found that among dyads of parents and adult children who had tight‐knit and distant‐but‐digitally‐connected relationships with each other, parents reported better well‐being on all three outcomes, and children reported better life satisfaction compared to dyads who had conflictual relationships. Our findings suggest that incorporating digital communication into the intergenerational solidarity paradigm is useful to better understand the multidimensional characteristics of intergenerational relationships between older parents and their adult children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This paper has two objectives. First, it assesses whether the existing informal care provided by adult children has an impact on older people's propensity to demand community care services. Second, it compares the different statuses of sons and daughters in the formal/informal support trade‐off. Methods: The paper is based on an analysis of data from the 2018 wave of the China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey, within the framework of a revised version of Andersen's model, and applies multilevel models to analyse the effects of adult children's gender, numbers and the quality of their support, on older people's willingness to purchase community care services. Results: Older people who had sons as well as daughters demanded fewer services, while the number of sons increased service demand. Regarding sons, community care services compensated for economic support, daily life care and spiritual consolation, but did so only in respect of daily life care from daughters. Conclusions: Many families have only one son or one daughter as a result of the one‐child policy and therefore often require support from formal care services. Moreover, there is a distinct gender division and an influential filial culture governing the impact of services on the support provided by adult children. Because ageing in place depends on both informal family support and formal services, this key policy goal is at risk if the latter provides insufficient support to the former. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adult children provide a large portion of end‐of‐life caregiving for older adults and make up the majority of caregivers for adults with dementia. Yet research has been limited to the hours of care that primary caregivers provide, neglecting the other ways adult children provide caregiving support. This study aims to describe the caregiving support adult children provide to their parents at the end of life and characterize differences by race and ethnicity and dementia status. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using survey responses from the Health and Retirement Study between 2002 and 2018. The sample population (n = 8040) included decedents aged 65 with at least one living adult child at their time of death. Caregiving support was defined as providing financial support, providing help with basic or instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs or IADLs), or coresiding with the care recipient. Respondents were stratified by self‐identified race and ethnicity as Hispanic, non‐Hispanic White, or non‐Hispanic Black. Respondents were further stratified by dementia and marital status. Results: Black and Hispanic respondents without dementia were more likely to report receiving financial help from (28.0% and 25.9%) or coresiding with their adult children (38.9% and 49.7%) compared to White respondents (15.0% receiving financial help and 23.3% coresiding) (p < 0.05). Among respondents with dementia, 47.1% of both Black and Hispanic respondents reported coresiding with their adult children, compared to only 24.6% of White respondents (p < 0.05). Notably, married Black and Hispanic respondents reported significantly higher rates of all support types compared to married White respondents (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The majority of older adults at the end of life receive some form of care and support from their adult children, with Black and Hispanic older adults receiving particularly high rates of care and support from their adult children regardless of dementia or marital status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explores the transmission of attachment and family functioning across three generations. It is based on a sample of 460 female emerging adults (aged 18–26), their mothers (N = 440), fathers (N = 368), maternal grandmothers (N = 224), and maternal grandfathers (N = 113). Participants self‐assessed their attachment anxiety and avoidance using the Relationship Style Questionnaire and evaluated the functioning of their families of origin using the Family Adaptation and Cohesion Scale–IV. The results reveal two mechanisms, both of which have a small but significant effect on the development of attachment across generations. The first operates via direct trans‐generational transmission of attachment from parent to child, mainly involving the mother–child dyad, while the second operates through primary family functioning, especially balanced family cohesion, but also enmeshment and chaos in the case of attachment avoidance. The findings highlight the importance of including content related to attachment and family functioning in intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the relationship between filial obligation and caregiver depression across cultures. Design: Systematic review and meta‐analysis. Methods: Twelve databases were reviewed for dissertations and peer‐reviewed articles on filial obligation and caregiver depression among adult children, published before January 2020. In total, 476 titles and abstracts were retrieved. Final analysis included six studies; of these, four were included in the meta‐analysis. Results: Fixed‐effects model indicated that a stronger perception of filial obligation was associated with increased depressive symptoms among caregivers across cultures (β = 0.14, 95% CI [0.04, 0.24], p < 0.01, N = 394). However, a non‐significant effect size in the correlation between these two variables was found in samples predominated by Caucasian and mixed‐blood caregivers (r = 0.03, 95% CI [−0.03, 0.10], p > 0.05, N = 880). Therefore, caregivers' perceptions of filial obligation should be clinically assessed and normalised to reduce their depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the effects of parental alcoholism on adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) have been mostly quantitative. To acquire a richer and better understanding of this realm in Malta, while outlining concrete recommendations to further contain this problem, a qualitative study was thus employed. Six participants were selected after meeting all inclusion criteria. Data were analysed following interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) guidelines. Semi‐structured interviews were audio‐recorded and transcribed verbatim. Three superordinate themes, namely a) psychosocial impact, b) coping strategies, and c) a sense of identity, were elevated. A number of findings resulting from this study may point at the resilient nature and skills exhibited by ACOAs, who move on to lead successful lives, despite their past hard life. Recommendations for future applications are discussed. Overall, recognition of children of parents who misuse alcohol should be prioritised in service planning to ensure that their needs are not overlooked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although existing research recognized the associations between early maladaptive schemas (EMSs) of parents and their adult children, the mechanisms that underpin these associations were not fully understood. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to explore the role of defence styles (DSs) on the associations between two EMS domains (Disconnection/Rejection and Impaired Autonomy) of parents and their adult children. Two hundred and fifteen families (i.e., mother, father, and their adult children) participated in the study. Both parents and their adult children were asked to complete Young Schema Questionnaire‐Short Form (YSQ‐SF) and Defence Style Questionnaire (DSQ) to assess their EMS domains and DSs. According to the results of the current study, there were significant associations between Disconnection/Rejection and Impaired Autonomy EMS domains of parents and their adult children, and these associations were mediated by only immature DS of parents and their adult children in a serial mediation model. These results contributed to our understanding of the associations between EMS domains of parents and their adult children through immature DSs. Moreover, our findings highlighted the importance of synthesizing the concepts of different theories to enhance our understanding of mental representations in families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This brief exploratory study, guided by family systems theory, examined whether rumination mediated the relationship between adult children's experience of triangulation (i.e., feeling caught) and well‐being after parental infidelity. Results: On the basis of responses from 215 adult children whose parents engaged in infidelity, adult children's well‐being and their feelings of being caught between parents was mediated by rumination. Moreover, the relationship between these variables was not conditional on whether adult children's parents divorced or remained married after infidelity. Implications: These findings provide an initial understanding of the impact of parental infidelity on adult children. Further, they suggest that future research should examine family discourses that promote or mitigate rumination because family interactions greatly influence offspring's experiences with this transgression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how young people who are living with a parent who is dying talk about the future. Drawing on a qualitative, interview study, I argue that young people are able to move imaginatively beyond the death of a parent, and in doing so, to maintain a sense of biographical continuity. While thinking about the future, most were able to generate an alternative to the 'harm story' typically associated with parental loss. Furthermore, the facility to engage with parental absence in the present enabled young people to make sense of living with dying, and gave meaning to their imagined futures. These findings suggest that young people's narratives of the future may act as a symbolic resource to draw on, albeit one requiring adequate material and social resources to construct. The paper extends the notion of continuing bonds derived from post‐bereavement accounts to suggest that relational experiences of the dead begin prior to bereavement, and may facilitate everyday living in anticipation of significant loss. Enabling young people to imaginatively explore the future may support them in getting by when they are living in these difficult family circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although some studies have revealed that traditional filial piety belief is weakening, few have explored whether and how the role of the belief in social life has changed correspondingly. The present study used questionnaires to examine solutions to filial piety dilemmas and the roles of contextual theme, filial piety beliefs, and generation in a sample of 123 young and 92 middle‐aged Chinese adults. With respect to the solutions adopted to solve parent‒child conflicts, preferences varied depending on the dilemma themes. Specifically, participants were more likely to select a self‐sacrifice (rather than an ego‐centered) solution for respect dilemmas than for caring dilemmas, and least likely to do so for obedience dilemmas. Participants were also likely to select a balancing (rather than an ego‐centered) solution for respect or caring dilemmas than for obedience dilemmas. In addition, the concordance between beliefs and solutions was exhibited in reciprocal, but not authoritarian, filial piety beliefs. Individuals with stronger reciprocal filial piety beliefs were more likely to select self‐sacrifice or balancing solutions than ego‐centered solutions whereas authoritarian filial piety showed no influence on solutions for either young or middle‐aged adults. Furthermore, the generation effect was not significant, and the solution selection did not differ between young and middle‐aged adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have argued that Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) problems continue into emerging adulthood; however, few studies have examined ODD problems in this population. Moreover, previous studies have found that corporal punishment mediated the relationship between maternal anxiety/depression and child ODD problems in young children and that parental psychopathology is likely to affect child ODD. This study examined how maternal as well as paternal maltreatment (i.e., psychological and physical) mediated the relationship between parental anxiety/depressive problems and emerging adult ODD problems (i.e., irritability and defiance). Furthermore, child and parent gender were examined as moderators (i.e., moderated mediation). Participants included 1,012 emerging adults who completed questionnaires about parental psychological and physical maltreatment, parental anxiety and depression, and affective and behavioral ODD symptoms. Results suggested that mediation occurred for the father–daughter dyad along the perceived paternal depressive problems → psychological and physical maltreatment → irritability paths and for the mother–son dyad along the perceived maternal depressive and anxiety problems → psychological maltreatment → defiance paths. Given that mediation occurred for only these gender dyads, moderated mediation was suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current research supports clear relationships between parental psychopathology, parental maltreatment, and emerging adult child psychopathology. Less research has examined how the role of the parent–child relationship influences these existing associations. The current study tested two models that examined the moderating effect of parent–child relationship quality on parental psychopathology and emerging adult mental health as well as the effect on parental maltreatment and emerging adult mental health. It was expected that high parent–child relationship quality would buffer against the negative effects of parental psychopathology and maltreatment while enhancing the effects of functional parenting characteristics. Participants included 1,452 emerging adults, predominantly Caucasian (73.3%) college students who completed surveys on their mental health, recent experienced maltreatment, and their parents' mental health problems. Results suggested lowest rates of mental health problems for emerging adults were associated with higher parent–child relationship quality and lower parental psychological problems, whereas negative outcomes were associated with higher parental psychopathology, regardless of parent–child relationship quality. Additionally, physical maltreatment was associated with lower rates of mental health concerns in the context of higher mother‐daughter relationship quality. Results emphasize the continuing impact of the parent–child relationship, particularly the mother‐daughter relationship, on emerging adults' mental health. Moreover, the current study demonstrates the continuing influence of parents on their emerging adult children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The link between the filial behaviour of an adult child and older parents' well‐being is well entrenched, and theoretical evidence has indicated that it may be mediated by emotional regulation. Therefore, the current study aimed to examine whether emotional regulation (i.e. cognitive reappraisal and suppression) mediates the association between filial behaviour of the oldest son (i.e. the filial behaviour of respect and filial behaviour of daily maintenance) and subjective well‐being in older parents. Methods: This correlational study recruited 400 community‐dwelling older parents in Rawalpindi Pakistan through a multistage cluster random sampling technique. Subjective well‐being was measured by Concise Measure of Subjective Well‐being; filial behaviour was examined through receipt of 12 domains; emotional regulation was assessed by using the Emotional Regulation Questionnaire. The structural equation modelling was employed to test the mediation effects. Results: Cognitive reappraisal was found to partially mediate the relationship between filial behaviour of respect and subjective well‐being (β in direct model = 0.661, P < 0.000; β in full mediational model = 0.327, P < 0.000), but it failed to mediate between filial behaviour of daily maintenance and subjective well‐being (β in direct model = 0.080, P = 0.149; β in full mediational model = 0.030, P = 0.362). Moreover, suppression did not exert mediation effects in the associations between the filial behaviour of respect and subjective well‐being (β = 0.003, P = 0.338); and filial behaviour of daily maintenance and subjective well‐being (β = −0.004, P = 0.221). Conclusions: Taken together, the results suggest that different dimensions of the filial behaviour of the oldest son exert differential effects on emotional regulation and subjective well‐being in older parents. Based on the current findings, there is a need to develop adaptive emotional regulatory capacity intervention programs for the development and enhancement of subjective well‐being in older parents within their familial context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study adds to the existing knowledge about adult children of parents with mental illness. The aim was to explore differences between adult children of parents with mental illness and parents in the general population on a range of adult relationship and parenting variables. Utilizing a cross‐sectional design, 86 adults across Australia participated in this study (47 general population; 39 adult children of parents with mental illness). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and parametric tests. Adult children of parents with mental illness were found to be more permissive in their parenting compared with parents in the general population. However, between‐group differences were not found on measures of parenting competence, adult attachment, and relationship satisfaction. These findings suggest that adult children of parents with mental illness are able to thrive just as well as individuals in the general population but may require some support in the form of parental skills training. The paper concludes by highlighting the role of mental health professionals in the empowerment and resilience building of adult children of parents with mental illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The killing of parents, frequently referred to as parricide, is a disturbing phenomenon that often generates widespread media coverage. Most of the scholarly literature on this topic has focused on biological offspring who kill mothers and fathers. Some analyses have examined juveniles and adults who kill their stepparents. To date, virtually no research exists on children who kill their adoptive parents because this type of victim-offender relationship has been absent from available homicide databases, thereby preventing such analyses. The present study is a content analysis of news reports of 46 cases of adopted children who killed their adoptive parents in several different countries. Data pertaining to offender and victim demographics, incident characteristics, and the processing of offenders from the initial charge through conviction and sentencing are examined. To the extent possible, media accounts are used to classify cases according to motives or circumstances leading to the killings. The article concludes with a comparison of profiles of children who kill adoptive parents in relation to those who kill biological parents, important observations that emerged from these news accounts, and discussion of possible explanations of parricide by adopted children, including adopted children syndrome, reactive attachment disorder, and biological risk factors. Limitations of this study and directions for future research are addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between exposure to Parental Alienation (PA) at different developmental time periods and psychological maltreatment. Three hundred and sixty‐one adults in Chieti, Italy completed an anonymous and confidential paper and pencil survey regarding their childhood exposure to twenty PA behaviours across three developmental time periods as well as a measure of psychological maltreatment by each parent. Results revealed that exposure to PA at each time period was significantly associated with psychological maltreatment. Moreover, the number of time periods of exposure to PA (from 0 to 3) was associated with psychological maltreatment. This was true for PA by mothers and PA by fathers. Implications for policy and practice are discussed. Practitioner points: Mental health professionals can use the results of this study to guide their intervention effortsCo‐parenting educators can incorporate these results into their routine efforts to help parents be aware of PA and its effectsTargeted parents can use these findings to make the case for timely legal and mental health interventions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research indicates that posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) induced by war trauma may be transmitted to veterans' wives and offspring (secondary traumatic stress; STS). However, the interplay between family members' characteristics has not been accounted for in such processes. Taking a family systems perspective, we examine the contributions of fathers' PTSS, mothers' STS, marital adjustment, and self-disclosure of both parents to offspring's STS and test whether marital quality applies as a mechanism of parent-child transmission. Combat veterans and former prisoners of war (N = 123), their spouses, and adult offspring were investigated in a multiple-step mediation analysis. The results highlight the mother's crucial role in trauma transmission and suggest that strengthening the marital relationship may buffer the transmission of fathers' PTSS to offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationships with parents have significant implications for well‐being throughout the lifespan. At midlife, these ties are situated within both developmental and family contexts that often involve the adult offspring's spouse. Yet, it is not known how ties with aging parents are related to psychological well‐being within middle‐aged couples. This study examined how middle‐aged wives’ and husbands’ views of the current quality of relationships with their own parents (positive and negative) are linked to their own and their partner's psychological well‐being. Using a sample of 132 middle‐aged couples from Wave 1 of the Family Exchanges Study, we estimated actor–partner interdependence models to evaluate these dyadic associations while controlling for each spouse's marital satisfaction. Both actor and partner effects were observed. With respect to actor effects, wives who reported more negative relationship quality with their own parents had elevated depressive symptoms and lower life satisfaction. Husbands who reported more negative relationship quality with their own parents had lower life satisfaction. In terms of partner effects, husbands had lower depressive symptoms and greater life satisfaction when wives reported more positive relationship quality with their own parents. Finally, the link between wives’ positive ties with parents and husbands’ lower depressive symptoms was intensified when husbands had less positive relationships with their own parents. Findings suggest that relationship quality with wives’ aging parents has implications for both spouses’ well‐being and may serve as a critical social resource for husbands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the moderating effect couple forgiveness (as perceived by the wives/mothers) may have on the intergenerational transmission of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among families of combat veterans and former prisoners of war (ex-POWs). The sample included 123 (79 ex-POWs and 44 control combatants) Israeli father-mother-adult offspring triads. Self-report measures were administered at 2008 to veterans, at 2010-2011 to wives, and at 2013-2014 to offspring. The findings indicated that ex-POWs' PTSS were positively related to their offspring's PTSS, while couple forgiveness buffered this effect, particularly, and detrimentally, when couple forgiveness was low. These findings imply that apprehending the quality of the forgiving atmosphere within the marital relationship may be important for understanding the apparatus of intergenerational transmissions of trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing attention is being paid to specific difficulties experienced by bereaved family caregivers (FCs). Limited capacity within health and social care structures results in high intensity of informal caregiving. The focus of recent research is the identification of specific predictors of adverse FC outcomes, in order to identify those FCs who will benefit most from intervention and support. Research is challenged by multiple influencing and confounding variables. This study aimed to evaluate factors of care associated with higher grief intensity in bereaved adult-child (AC-FCs) and spousal FCs (S-FCs). Data from the Qualycare study, a mortality follow-back study of bereaved FCs of patients who died of cancer, was analyzed. Four hundred eighty-four patient-FC dyads were included: 246 AC-FCs and 238 S-FCs. S-FCs received more formal (SPC) (p = 0.026), and AC-FCs more informal (p < 0.001), support. AC-FCs were more likely to continue to work while caregiving (p < 0.001). Patients with AC-FCs were more likely to spend time in and die in a nursing home (p < 0.001). Higher grief intensity was associated with higher caregiving intensity (p < 0.001), as well as other factors. AC-FCs whose relative died in NH experienced significantly lower grief intensity (p < 0.001). Intensity of caregiving predicted 11.6% of variance in grief intensity for AC-FCs compared to 0.5% for S-FCs. The 'relief model' of bereavement is relevant for AC-FCs. The support needs of AC-FCs and S-FCs differ. AC-FCs should be targeted for practical supports and interventions, in order to support home-death, if desired by patient and FC, and optimize bereavement outcomes.Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indirect exposure to the aversive details of the primary victim's traumatic event(s) has been introduced in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association, 2013) as a new event criterion (Criterion A4). However, this new criterion has been criticized for its significant emphasis on the exposure to trauma "details" or trauma narrative. This study assessed the associations between reported exposure to details about captivity and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) among 2 groups of family members of former prisoners of war (ex-POWs): spouses (n = 115) and adult offspring (n = 78). Results show that in both groups exposure to details regarding captivity was not significantly related to the severity of total PTSS and specifically, high levels of exposure to captivity details were related to lower avoidance symptoms among ex-POWs' spouses. Among offspring, exposure to paternal behaviors stemming from the fathers' posttraumatic stress disorder was related to PTSS, above and beyond negative life events, quality of relationship with the father, and exposure to captivity details (R2 = .34). These results suggest that behavioral displays of the fathers' posttraumatic symptoms, rather than the recounting of trauma-related details, is related to PTSS among ex-POWs' offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Although cancer patients with minor children have become more of a focus of psycho-oncological research, little is known about specific parenting concerns. Instruments to assess the concerns and worries of parents with cancer are rare. The Parenting Concerns Questionnaire (PCQ) addresses this issue. We analyzed parenting concerns in cancer survivors and evaluated the German version of the PCQ.Methods: A total of 1416 cancer survivors with minor and young adult children (≤21 years) were recruited in a register-based study. Descriptive analyses as well as reliability and validity analyses were conducted. We performed a confirmatory factorial analysis of the factor structure proposed by the authors of the original version on the PCQ.Results: Seventy-three percent of the cancer survivors were women, average age was 47.5 years (SD 5.9). Mean time since diagnosis was 44 months (SD 23.4). Between 18 and 31% of survivors reported that they were concerned about their children. The PCQ proved to be a reliable and valid instrument showing medium correlations with standardized measures in expected directions and discriminating between survivors with and without use of psychosocial support services. The factor structure was supported by the confirmatory factorial analysis.Conclusions: Assessing parenting concerns gives an additional insight into the situation of parents with cancer. In our sample of cancer survivors, we identified one out of three survivors being concerned regarding the impact of their illness on their children. The PCQ can be considered as a valid and reliable instrument with regard to identifying concerned parents with cancer. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important avenue for smoking deterrence may be through familial ties if adult smokers respond to parental health shocks. In this paper, we merge the Original Cohort and the Offspring Cohort of the Framingham Heart Study to study how adult offspring smoking behavior and subjective health assessments vary with elder parent smoking behavior and health outcomes. These data allow us to model the smoking behavior of adult offspring over a 30-year period contemporaneously with parental behaviors and outcomes. We find strong 'like father, like son' and 'like mother, like daughter' correlations in smoking behavior. We find that adult offspring significantly curtail their own smoking following an own health shock; however, we find limited evidence that offspring smoking behavior is sensitive to parent health, with the notable exception that women significantly reduce both their smoking participation and intensity following a smoking-related cardiovascular event of a parent. We also model the subjective health assessment of adult offspring as a function of parent health, and we find that women report significantly worse health following the smoking-related death of a parent. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we explored the role of reciprocal filial values in protecting the wellbeing of Chinese adult-child caregivers in the US. Using survey data obtained from 137 Chinese adult-child caregivers living in seven US cities, we tested a latent variable model using structural equation modeling. In this model, informed by role theory, social exchange theory and stress-coping theory, reciprocal filial values affect caregiver wellbeing in the face of caregiver role strain, both directly and indirectly through protective effects of role rewards and coping. In the final model, reciprocal filial values had both direct and indirect protective effects on caregivers' wellbeing, offering evidence to address culturally sensitive issues in family caregivers with similar filial values. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article present a case study of Lizzie Borden, born in 1860 near Fall River, Massachusetts, who killed her father Andrew Borden and stepmother Abby Borden on August 4, 1892. Lizzie's level of psychopathy was examined using the psychopathy checklist-revised (PCL-R). It further state that Lizzie was found guilty of buying deadly poisons which caused vomiting of her parents. It further discusses that alleged maltreatment may have allowed Lizzie to perform act.

Scholars have distinguished conceptually between multiple forms of social withdrawal among children and adolescents, but this distinction has yet to be investigated fully during emerging adulthood. Therefore, the overarching goal of this study was to employ a person-oriented approach to examine differences between subtypes of withdrawal on indicators of internalizing issues and relationships in emerging adulthood. The sample for the current study ( Mage = 19.60, SD = 1.85, range = 18-29) consisted of 791 undergraduate students (548 women, 243 men). Results revealed that three distinct forms of social withdrawal (shyness, avoidance, unsociable) can be identified in emerging adulthood, with each one uniquely related to indices of maladjustment in regard to internalizing problems and relationship difficulties. In general, both shy and avoidant individuals reported more problems of an internalizing nature and in their relationships. Far fewer problems appear to exist for unsociable individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-White young adults are more likely to live with their parents throughout their 20s, more likely to return home after going away to college, and less likely to leave again after returning. Scholars have speculated that subcultural differences in attitudes toward marriage and family play a key role in generating racial/ethnic differences in rates of coresidence with parents among young adults. Data from the National Education Longitudinal Survey of 1988 (N = 11,228) were analyzed in order to test this hypothesis. Attitudes toward marriage and family were significantly associated with coresidence, especially among young men, but did not substantially account for racial/ethnic differences in living arrangements. Among young non-White women and young Black men, higher rates of coresidence were related to differences from Whites in socioeconomic or marital status (and sometimes both) that were largely independent of differences in attitudes toward marriage and family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this exploratory qualitative study of 11 young adults, ages 19-29 years, we examine how young people who were raised by lesbian parents make meaning out of and construct their relationships with known donors. In-depth interviews were conducted to examine how participants defined their family composition, how they perceived the role of their donors in their lives, and how they negotiated their relationships with their donors. Findings indicate that mothers typically chose known donors who were family friends, that the majority of participants always knew who their donors were, and that their contact with donors ranged from minimal to involved. Further, participants perceived their donors in one of three ways: as strictly donors and not members of their family; as extended family members but not as parents; and as fathers. The more limited role of donors in participants' construction of family relationships sheds light on how children raised in lesbian, gay, and bisexual families are contributing to the redefinition and reconstruction of complex kinship arrangements. Our findings hold implications for clinicians who work with lesbian-mother families, and suggest that young adulthood is an important developmental phase during which interest in and contact with the donor may shift, warranting a transfer of responsibility from mother to offspring in terms of managing the donor-child relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Popular media describe adverse effects of helicopter parents who provide intense support to grown children, but few studies have examined implications of such intense support. Grown children (N = 592, M age = 23.82 years, 53% female, 35% members of racial/ethnic minority groups) and their parents (N = 399, M age = 50.67 years, 52% female; 34% members of racial/ethnic minority groups) reported on the support they exchanged with one another. Intense support involved parents' providing several types of support (e.g., financial, advice, emotional) many times a week. Parents and grown children who engaged in such frequent support viewed it as nonnormative (i.e., too much support), but grown children who received intense support reported better psychological adjustment and life satisfaction than grown children who did not receive intense support. Parents who perceived their grown children as needing too much support reported poorer life satisfaction. The discussion focuses on generational differences in the implications of intense parental involvement during young adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is colloquially referred to as 'helicopter parenting' is a form of overparenting in which parents apply overly involved and developmentally inappropriate tactics to their children who are otherwise able to assume adult responsibilities and autonomy. Overparenting is hypothesized to be associated with dysfunctional family processes and negative child outcomes. Predictions were tested on 538 parent-young adult child dyads from locations throughout most of the United States. Parents completed a newly developed measure of overparenting as well as family enmenshment, parenting styles, and parent-child communication scales. Young adult children completed measures of parent-child communication, family satisfaction, entitlement, and several adaptive traits. Results showed that overparenting is associated with lower quality parent-child communication and has an indirect effect on lower family satisfaction. Overparenting was also a significant predictor of young adult child entitlement, although it was not related to any of the adaptive traits measured in young adult children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Adult entitled dependence' is a condition characterized by the extreme dependence of grown children on their family and by levels of dysfunction, seemingly excessive in light of their apparent capacity to function. The family and the dependent adult become involved in an interaction in which the very attempts to alleviate the problem may aggravate it. Parent-training in nonviolent resistance ( NVR) is an intervention that has been shown to be helpful to parents of behaviorally disturbed youth. Parent training in NVR offers parents means to shift away from a stance of helplessness toward realistic goals that are accomplishable without the collaboration of their offspring. We report on the parents of 27 entitled dependent grown children who participated in parent training in NVR. Additionally, we present 2 detailed case studies that exemplify the problem and the therapeutic process. Before treatment, the dependent adults were not working or studying, drew heavily on parental services (financial or otherwise), and were resistant to parental attempts to change the situation. Most parents succeeded in overcoming their helplessness and reducing the provision of parental services. In a considerable proportion of cases, the grown children started working or studying or moved to independent lodgings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Earlier research has distinguished five domains of Quality of life (QoL) for people with ID: material well-being, development and activity, physical well-being, social well-being, and emotional well-being. We investigated parents' perspectives on these domains and QoL for children and young adults with ID and hypothesized that parents' well-being would be a predictive factor in QoL of their children with ID. Methods Our longitudinal study administered questionnaires to parents at T0 ( n = 147) and T1 ( n = 108). The inclusion criteria were: (i) the child's age 0-24 years and (ii) the child's intellectual disability (IQ < 70 or IQ < 85 in combination with behavioural problems). Results Social well-being of parents ( P ≤ 0.001), changes in parents' social well-being ( P ≤ 0.01) and changes in children's social well-being ( P ≤ 0.05) were strong predictors of QoL for children with ID. Emotional well-being of children with ID ( P ≤ 0.01), changes in children's emotional well-being ( P ≤ 0.01) and changes in emotional well-being of parents ( P ≤0.05) also predicted QoL of children with ID. Material well-being of parents, and health, development and activity of the children were not predictors. Conclusion Our study revealed that predictors of QoL in children and young adults with ID occurred in the following domains: physical well-being (children), social well-being (parents and children) and emotional well-being (parents and children). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This longitudinal study of 20 average and bright adults with parents with cognitive difficulties follows a study 20 years earlier of their childhood adaptation to their parents. Method Semistructured interviews about life situation and changes and perception of family-of-origin. Results The participants' socioeconomic status changed from poverty to a bell curve from upper middle class to underclass, with working class the mode. There was a high incidence of psychological disorders, especially depression and drug disorders, but two-fifths were currently diagnosis-free and one-fifth lifetime diagnosis-free. Three-fourths expressed a realistic view of their parents' difficulties. Nearly half the parents have received social support from their adult children, both those without and those with cognitive difficulties. Conclusion Professionals should recognize the potential of children of parents with cognitive difficulties and their need for opportunity and family guidance on their behalf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scand J Caring Sci; 2011; 25; 285-293 A growing number of middle-aged people are engaged in informal care of their parents while employed. To provide support as employers, co-workers or staff, health care professionals need insight into the experiences of people managing these responsibilities. To elucidate the experience of providing informal care to an ageing parent while managing the responsibilities of a working life. Narrative interviews were performed with 11 persons with experience of the phenomenon. Transcribed interviews were analysed with phenomenological hermeneutics. Informed consent was given prior to the interviews. The study was approved by a research ethics committee. Providing informal care to an ageing parent while also pursuing a working life implies seeking balance: a balance between providing support to the parent's needs and one's responsibilities at work. Being employed supports this balance as it provides both fulfilment and refuge. Being capable of managing both roles grants a sense of satisfaction, supporting one's sense of balance in life. The balance can be supported by sharing the responsibility of caring for the ageing parent with others. Despite perceived saturation and an effort to provide for the possibility to consider internal consistency, the findings should be considered as a contribution to the understanding of the phenomenon, as experienced by individuals in their life world. It is essential to recognise the impact that providing care for an ageing parent may have on the lives of a growing number of people, particularly if they have employment responsibilities. Acknowledgement by others supports one's ability to attain balance; as co-workers and managers, we can acknowledge the efforts of an informal caregiver and as health care staff recognise the valuable contribution made by people in mid-life who provide informal care for their ageing parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People linked through social ties are known to have interdependent health. Our aim was to investigate such collateral health effects in the context of offspring mortality after a parent's death in children aged 10-59 years. The data (N = 3,753,368) were from a linked-registers database that contains the total Swedish population. In minor children, we found elevations in mortality risks associated with a parent's death. Adult offspring experienced a reduced mortality risk recently after a parent's death, which over time approached, and in some instances even exceeded, that of the general population. Mother's death tended to have a stronger influence than father's death, unnatural parental deaths had a stronger effect than natural ones, and male offspring were more vulnerable than female offspring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted three experiments to study the role of instrumental (e.g. knife–bread) and categorical (e.g. cake–bread) relations in the development of conceptual organization with a priming paradigm, by varying the nature of the task (naming – Experiment 1 – or categorical decision – Experiments 2 and 3). The participants were 5-, 7- and 9-year-old children and adults. The results showed that on both types of task, adults and 9-year-old children presented instrumental and categorical priming effects, whereas 5-year-old children presented mainly instrumental priming effects, with categorical effects remaining marginal. Moreover, the magnitude of the instrumental priming effects decreased with age. Finally, the priming effects observed for 7-year-old children depended on the task, especially for the categorical effects. The theoretical implications of these results for our understanding of conceptual reorganization from 5 to 9 years of age are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the author investigated the relationship between parental alcoholism and psychological distress and the mediating effects of social support and hardiness. The sample (N = 228 college students) consisted of n = 62 adult children of alcoholics (ACAs) and n = 166 non-ACAs. Data analysis indicated that parental alcoholism was positively related to psychological distress. Consistent with expectations, higher levels of social support and hardiness were associated with lower levels of psychological distress. No mediating effects of social support and hardiness, however were found. Implications for current theories and therapeutic approaches that regard ACAs as being at increased risk for psychological distress are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]