Family, Life Course, and Society Commons^™

Life Course And Cohort Patterns In Screen Time Among School-Aged Children In The United States, Ashley W. Kranjac, Dinko Kranjac

Sociology Faculty Articles and Research

Objective

Study design

Results

What Motives Influence Parents’ Commitment To Their Children’S Sport Participation In The United States?, Katherine N. Alexander, Daniel J. M. Fleming, Mitchell Olsen, Travis E. Dorsch, Kat V. Adams

Human Development and Family Studies Student Research

Background: The public often places value on youth sport involvement in the United States due to its potential to foster positive outcomes for participants. Although sport parents are key socializers and provide access to appropriate participation opportunities for children, less is known about how their perceptions of their child’s motives influence their sport commitments. Purpose: Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to understand how parents’ perceptions of their child’s motives for sport participation were associated with time/travel sport commitments. Methods: Participants (N = 1250) were parents in the United States reporting on their child’s youth sport participation. Measures …

Associations Between Individual And Structural Level Discrimination And Psychological And Physiological Stress Indicators During Pregnancy, Özlü Aran, Melissa Nevarez-Brewster, Kimberly D'Anna-Hernandez, Julia Dmitrieva, Curt A. Sandman, Laura M. Glynn, Elysia Poggi Davis

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

In the United States (U.S.) pervasive health disparities in prenatal care disproportionately impact marginalized individuals. The present study investigates whether discrimination at the individual and structural levels are associated with indicators of psychological and physiological stress among pregnant Latinx people living in the U.S., including both U.S. and foreign-born individuals. Pregnant participants (n = 109) reported on birthplace, lifetime experiences of racial and ethnic discrimination, perceived levels of stress, acculturation, social support, and provided residential address data and hair samples for cortisol analysis. Regression analysis revealed that individual level discrimination was linked to higher psychological stress during pregnancy ( …

The Effects Of Parental Emotion Regulation On Child Mental Health, Vanessa Brouse

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Introduction To Sociology: Groups And Organizations, Marcia Morrison Ph.D.

Open Educational Resources

Abstract:

This comprehensive analysis explores the dynamics of social groups and bureaucratic organizations, drawing on foundational theories and empirical studies to illuminate how structure, identity, and informal culture shape collective behavior. The paper examines the essential elements of group dynamics—regular interaction, defined roles, shared norms, and collective identity—alongside the four stages of group decision-making that guide consensus and effectiveness. It distinguishes between primary and secondary groups, emphasizing their respective influences on personal identity and social cohesion, and discusses the pivotal role of reference groups in identity formation.

Further, the discussion extends to the mechanisms of group survival, analyzing concepts such …

I Do, And I Will: Effectual Religiosity May Strengthen The Triad Chord Of Commitment For Women Of Faith, Tamara M. Chamberlain, Loren Marks, David C. Dollahite, Ashley Lebaron-Black, Elizabeth Kay Madsen, Christina N. Cooper

Faculty Publications

Although religiosity is commonly linked to marital satisfaction in sociological research, few studies have examined how it strengthens marital commitment among women of faith. This study explored the perspectives of religious, heterosexual married women using interviews in the United States from 196 highly religious couples with successful marriages. Three core themes emerged: (1) personal commitment—including the decision to marry, religious beliefs and practices, and the need for effort and sacrifice; (2) moral commitment—highlighting sexual relations before marriage, promises made before God, family, and friends, and views on fidelity and divorce; and (3) structural commitment— emphasizing the role of a religious …

Underlying Causes Linking Foster Care And The Criminal Justice System, Marcia D. Wheeler

Master of Arts in Human Services

This research expands on the ongoing statewide crisis within the foster care system that needs to be properly addressed to benefit future and current foster youth. Research has found a connection between foster care and prison, often referred as the “foster-care-to-prison-pipeline.” This study aimed to explore the impact of trauma experienced by current and former foster youth through a life course lens looking at crucial areas of development using a mixed methodology supported by theoretical theories that explored the connection between foster care and the criminal justice system. The results showed that current and former foster youth face many adversities …

Is Health Insurance Related To Breastfeeding Duration?, Anna De La Paz

Population Health Research Brief Series

Breastfeeding duration, which plays an important role in shaping maternal and infant health, can be influenced by insurance type. This data slice uses data from the 2022-2023 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) to described differences in breastfeeding duration by insurance type among females ages 15-49 in the United States. Findings show that mothers with private insurance breastfeed longer than mothers with public insurance, such as Medicaid, net of controls for maternal age, race, education, and income.

Executive Functioning And Mental Health In Emerging Adults: Type 1 Diabetes Status As A Moderator, Hannah Margot Mcdaniel

Theses and Dissertations

Emerging adults (ages 18-26) with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are especially vulnerable to diabetes management challenges when taking on increased disease responsibility during this critical period of development. They may experience higher cognitive and psychological demands compared to peers. The study examined whether having T1DM moderated the association between executive functioning (EF) and mental health symptoms (i.e., depression, anxiety, stress, and disordered eating) in emerging adults. Exploratory analyses investigated the associations between EF, disease management, and mental health symptoms. Participants were 35 emerging adults with T1DM and 35 healthy controls. Participants completed questionnaire measures of mental health and performance-based …

The Association Of Anxiety, Familial Dysfunction, And Child Emotion Regulation Between Family Therapy Sessions 1 And 4, Kaelie Noel Lemmon

Theses and Dissertations

Few studies address how relational factors may be interdependent and impact child-focused problems that could be collectively addressed in systemic family therapy. The current study utilized a cross-lagged panel model to explore the associations of parental anxiety, familial dysfunction, and child emotion regulation between four family therapy sessions. The study included 224 parents who sought family therapy and participated in the Marriage and Family Therapy Practice Research Network (MFT-PRN). Data were collected at two time points across four family therapy sessions. The findings indicated that higher levels of parental anxiety at intake were associated with higher familial dysfunction at session …

Caregiver Training Program For Optimal Recovery Of Neuro Accidents: An Occupational Therapy Approach, Bennie L. Huitt Jr., Jennifer Featheringham, Cassandra Nelson

Summer 2025 OTD Capstone Symposium

Caregivers of individuals recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or experiencing onset of dementia often are provided limited education and support after discharge, negatively impacting confidence and recovery outcomes. The Caremaster program was designed to bridge the educational gap between occupational therapists in the clinical setting and caregivers in the home settings through accessible online modules, support groups, and in-person demonstrations. Module topics included understanding neuro accidents and role of the caregiver, returning home (transition and adaptation), ADLs and Mobility, returning to roles, and social reintegration. This program aims to guide future development of scalable, community-based caregiver education that …

Is Social Media Use A Reason For Socially Withdrawn Individuals' Mental Health Difficulties?, Angela Grundvig

Theses and Dissertations

Studies have found a link between subtypes of social withdrawal and internalizing problems throughout most of the lifespan. However, the work conducted in adolescence is much more limited including a lack of work examining factors that might mediate the association between forms of social withdrawal and internalizing problems. Social comparison may be one way in which social withdrawal predicts internalizing problems. There has been research showing that social media usage is associated with internalizing problems. The purpose of this study was to assess (a) the associations between three subtypes of social withdrawal (shyness, avoidance, and unsociability), respectively, and indices of …

Routine Outcome Monitoring With The Youth Outcome Questionnaire-30.2 Self-Report: Creating And Testing An Empirical Alert System And Exploring Informant Discrepancy Patterns, Tate M. Paxton

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Youth self-report data using the YOQ-30 has not been specifically examined for use in routine outcome monitoring systems. This study used the YOQ-30 self-report in three endeavors: (1) modeling change trajectories in a large, naturalistic outpatient sample, (2) creating and testing an empirical alert system for deterioration, and (3) exploring the role of informant agreement, both descriptively and in a change trajectory model. Method: The sample consisted of 21,098 adolescents ages 12-17 receiving outpatient mental health care who used the OQ Measures system. Multilevel individual change trajectory models estimated symptom change over time. An alert system was developed on …

Attachment Or Aversion: A Study Of The Effects Of Parental Technoference On Child Emotion Knowledge, Brooklyn Coleman

Theses and Dissertations

Young children's understanding of emotions is heavily socialized by their parents. Through interactions with parents, children learn what emotions look like, when they are expressed, and how they are labeled (Laible, 2004a). Interruptions to interactions between children and parents have the potential to influence the development of children's emotion knowledge. According to the DREAMER framework, how one family member uses media and technology can influence other family members (Barr et al., 2024). Technoference (i.e., digital distraction while with others) is one example of how media might interrupt family life and influence child development as a whole. The current study examined …

Refugee Families: Parental Traumatic Stress And Child Outcomes A Scoping Review, Britta Sedig

Theses and Dissertations

This scoping review synthesizes recent literature (2019-2024) to explore mechanisms linking parental trauma to child mental health outcomes within refugee families. Guided by a systemic and relational focus, 20 studies were identified and analyzed, revealing five central themes: intergenerational transmission of trauma, parenting practices as mediators, parent-child dyadic attachment, family functioning and conflict, and post-migration and acculturative stress. Findings highlighted associations between parental trauma-related symptoms and refugee children's emotional and behavioral concerns. Parenting practices were frequently linked to child wellbeing, with some studies identifying risk factors like harsh discipline and emotional unavailability, and others noting protective roles of intentional caregiving. …

Rebounds Reconsidered: Exploring Perceived Causes And Consequences Of People's Beliefs About Rebound Relationships, Hunter Krampe

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Romantic breakups are common and can significantly impact emotional well-being. Many individuals enter rebound relationships despite the prevailing belief that these relationships are disingenuous or unhealthy. While limited empirical research exists, some studies suggest rebound relationships may have positive effects, contradicting common advice. This study examined perceptions of rebound relationships, assessing whether individuals who entered a new relationship shortly after a breakup (3 weeks) were perceived more negatively than those who waited longer (3 months). Using a 2x2 experimental design, participants rated targets on emotional state, personality traits, and expected relationship stability. Results indicated that rebounders were not perceived as …

The Lasting Impact Of Childhood Maltreatment On Parenting: A Qualitative Study, Leslie K. Moorman

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This qualitative study explored how Child Protection Service (CPS)-involved parents made meaning of their parenting and what informed their meaning making. Bronfenbrenner’s Person Process Context Time (PPCT) framework was utilized to examine the context of parenting within the CPS system. The PPCT theoretical assumptions were used to discuss the results of the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 participants, from diverse ethnic backgrounds. All but one returned for a second interview. The CPS-involved parents disclosed childhood experiences that were consistent with childhood maltreatment. The participants were preoccupied with stories of their own childhood and not wanting to parent like …

Adolescent Online Leisure, Media Literacy, Online Victimization, And Multifaceted Well-Being During Covid-19: The Role Of Parental Support, Yunqi Wang

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The rapid advancement of the internet and digital technology has provided opportunities for adolescents to conduct leisure activities online on a daily basis. However, research on adolescent technology use and mental health often highlights negative effects without carefully examining the specific mechanisms, which overlooks the complexity of effects of online behaviors on adolescent well-being and the importance of developing adolescents’ media literacy skills. Moreover, despite the crucial role of family dynamics in adolescent development, research on how parental support and involvement might affect adolescent technology use and well-being is still limited. The current study retrieved data from Programme for International …

“Self-Compassion Has To Be The Heartbeat Of How I Move Through Life”: A Mixed Methods Study Of Family Caregiver Emotional Well-Being, Sarah O. Rasby

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Often referred to as “hidden patients,” family caregivers endure numerous physical, emotional, psychological, and social hardships due to the demands of caregiving, which often results in their own needs going unmet. With the projected 61.3 million of the baby boomer generation entering the long-term care phase by 2029 along with a mass shortage of professional caregivers post-pandemic, more and more family members are expected to fill in for the role of care without sufficient access to support services (Pollard & Scommegna, 2014; Smith & Chang, 2016). An exploratory, mixed-methods study using a three-group intervention design was utilized to investigate the …

Exploring Racial Identity Among East And Southeast Asian Transracial Adoptees In The United States Through Communication Theory Of Identity, Brooke Marie Hoá Hornberger

Department of Communication Studies: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The purpose of this study was to understand how East and Southeast Asian transracial adoptees (ESATA) in White adoptive families conceptualize and communicate their racial identity. ESATAs endure various challenges surrounding race that makes it important to understand how ESATAs understand their racial identity, the tensions they might experience, and how they management the tensions surrounding racial identity. Using the theoretical framework Communication Theory of Identity (Hecht, 1993), 25 ESATAs were interviewed about different frames of identity and potential identity gaps they experience surrounding racial identity. In addition, ESATAs were asked about how they communicatively manage identity gap tensions mapping …