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Screen time not the main factor making parent-child interactions worse, study finds

Researchers investigated whether 'technoference' affects parent-child interactions more than non-digital distractions. They found that parents who were distracted, regardless of the device used, had lower sensitivity to children's communication signals and reduced social involvement from their children.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 21, 2024

Family learning environments in Scandinavia: dimensions, types and socioeconomic profiles

Researchers identified four types of family learning environments in Scandinavian families, shaped by parental values and socioeconomic status. The study found that family activities, emotional climate, and everyday organisation play a crucial role in shaping children's learning environments. Four categories were developed: Expansive C...

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalBritish Journal of Sociology of Education·TypeObservational study·DateApr 22, 2024

Death and grief in Swedish children’s books

A study of 62 Swedish children's books found that most depict death through metaphors, making it difficult for children to understand. Rakel Eklund's research highlights the need for more books that openly discuss death and grief from the child's perspective.

SourceUppsala University·JournalDeath Studies·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 21, 2024

Household food waste reduced through whole-family food literacy interventionHousehold food waste reduced through whole-family food literacy intervention

A new study found that a four-week family-based food literacy program reduced fruit and vegetable-avoidable waste in families with school-aged children. The program included online cooking classes, text messages, and toolkits to promote meal preparation and reduce food waste.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 6, 2024

Caregiving can be stressful, but it could also lower risk of depression

A new study from the University of Texas at Austin found that depression in adult caregivers is mostly driven by having a loved one experiencing serious health problems. Conversely, becoming a caregiver was associated with fewer symptoms of depression. The research suggests that caregiving may have a protective effect on mental health.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalAdvances in Life Course Research·TypeObservational study·DateDec 12, 2023

COVID-19 symptoms and economic hardship among US families

A study found that persistent COVID-19 symptoms and previous severe cases were associated with increased odds of pandemic-related economic hardship. Families with lower incomes before the pandemic were disproportionately affected, experiencing more employment disruptions and earnings losses.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateDec 12, 2023

Trump-era policy on global aid curtailed family planning services in Africa

A new study found that the Protecting Life in Global Health Assistance policy reduced provision and use of contraceptives, as well as community health volunteer services, in African countries. This policy, formerly known as the Mexico City Policy, had detrimental effects on family planning service delivery and utilization.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalScience Advances·TypeSurvey·DateDec 6, 2023

Flexible parental leave among immigrant mothers can promote integration

A new study finds that part-time parental leave fosters better labor market and educational pursuits among newly arrived migrant women in Sweden. The research challenges existing perceptions of parental leave among immigrant mothers, suggesting it can provide a support system during their initial transition period.

SourceStockholm University·JournalJournal of European Social Policy·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 1, 2023

Large variation in how many relatives Swedes have

A new study by Stockholm University reveals the number of relatives Swedes have varies greatly, with most living relatives found between ages 30 and 40. The study used Sweden's unique population registers to create kinship networks, showing that younger people have more relatives in their ascending line.

SourceStockholm University·JournalDemography·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 12, 2023

Research explores why daughters in Chinese families of son preference fail to break from sustained exploitation

Research reveals Chinese families' strong son preference can lead to daughters' emotional and financial exploitation, causing severe mental health consequences. Daughters are socialized from birth to prioritize their family's needs over their own, resulting in feelings of debt and low self-esteem.

SourceLancaster University·JournalMarketing Theory·TypeContent analysis·DateSep 1, 2023

Focus on state as ‘problem parent’ rather than care-experienced mothers – new research

Mothers with a criminal record and care experience face negative judgements and excessive scrutiny due to their 'known' status. The study emphasizes the need for supportive dialogue across disciplinary boundaries to break cycles of stigma and social care involvement, focusing on safe spaces and trust-building for care-experienced mothers.

SourceLancaster University·JournalThe British Journal of Criminology·TypeCase study·DateJul 10, 2023

Siblings can "pave the way" when they have a similar "Big Five" personality - with introverted siblings being more likely to leave home once their similarly introverted brother or sister has done so

A study found that siblings who share similar 'Big Five' personality traits are more likely to leave home together. Introverted siblings were particularly likely to follow in the footsteps of their similarly introverted sibling, highlighting the role of personality similarity in this transition.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 17, 2023

Assisted reproduction kids grow up just fine – but it may be better to tell them early about biological origins, twenty-year study suggests

A landmark study by University of Cambridge researchers found no difference in psychological wellbeing or quality of family relationships between children born through assisted reproduction and those born naturally. However, mothers who disclosed their child's origins early on reported more positive relationships and lower anxiety and ...

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalDevelopmental Psychology·DateApr 12, 2023

How moms and dads view each other as co-parents affects kids

A new study suggests that children's well-adjustment depends on their parents' views on co-parenting. Children of low-income couples with positive co-parenting relationships tend to have better outcomes, while those with poor or moderately good relationships may experience poorer adjustment, especially when fathers are less positive ab...

SourceOhio State University·JournalChild Development·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 15, 2023

Adult children get less support in separated families

A recent study by North Carolina State University found that adult children in separated families receive substantially less emotional, material, and instrumental support from their parents. This often results in disadvantages for these children due to limited access to resources. The study also highlights the importance of providing a...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Family Research·TypeObservational study·DateJan 10, 2023

Adult children more likely to be estranged from dad than mom

A new national study found that adult children are over four times more likely to be estranged from their fathers than mothers. The study, conducted by Ohio State University researchers, tracked child estrangement in over 8,000 mother-child and father-child relationships. Results showed that factors such as gender, race/ethnicity, and ...

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Marriage and Family·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 15, 2022

Swedes with high incomes have more children

Researchers found that Swedes with higher incomes have more children, particularly men who accumulate higher incomes over time. For women, the pattern changes significantly over time, with those born in the 1940s and 1950s having lower incomes and more children.

SourceStockholm University·JournalPopulation Studies·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 16, 2022

Study finds school choice not offered equitably to low-income, less-educated families, who are forced to compromise more

A new study from the University of Kansas finds that parents from marginalized backgrounds and lower educational attainment make more compromises on school features, resulting in lower satisfaction. The research suggests that these parents are not lacking in understanding what would be best for their children, but rather face constrain...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalEducational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·TypeSurvey·DateOct 20, 2022

How money brings hunter-gatherers new choices

A decades-long study found that cash changed the Ju/’hoansi economy, allowing individuals to keep their earnings and fill their own needs. The study also revealed a decline in the traditional system of gifting and sharing, which had previously distributed possessions throughout communities.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateOct 6, 2022