Examines adult children's reports of relationship changes with their fathers were 20 years after their parents' divorce. Findings indicated that most adult children felt that their relationships with their fathers had either improved or remained stable over time. Custody did not directly affect reported changes in the quality of their relationship…

Examined nature and extent of incongruent view of caregiving held by older persons and their caregivers and characteristics of caregivers and care receivers associated with the development of such views. Findings from 50 caregiving dyads support earlier studies reporting that discrepant views of caregiving relationship are common. (Author/NB)

Examined mothers' feelings about combining motherhood, employment, and child care during their firstborns' infancy and quality of mother-infant interactions. From analysis of interviews, questionnaires, and observations involving 37 mothers, developed typology of 4 categories of mothers (Enamored, Managers, Distressed, Disengaged). Found complex…

Examined divorced fathers (n=84) who had infrequent or no contact with their children. Found four sets of fathers: (1) those embroiled in conflict with former spouses; (2) those with personal problems or barriers; (3) those who are long-distance parents; and (4) those with teenage children with busy lives. (ABL)

Explores factors that influence the usefulness of individualized temperament materials for parents of infants. Most parents found the materials useful. Global perception of temperamental difficultness and educational level were associated with usefulness; usefulness was not associated with parity. Results suggest that temperament guidance…

The current study investigates differences between inmate mothers' and fathers' reported rates of incarceration for family members, adult children, predictors of adult children's incarceration, and living situations of minor children. Participants included 6,146 inmates who participated in the U.S. Department of Justice Survey of Inmates in State…

Reviews the literature on parental divorce and early childhood development, using developmental psychopathology as an organizing framework. Because this review is unique in its focus on divorce-related issues specific to young children, limitations of existing research are noted and directions for future research are suggested. (Contains 63…

When their first child was 5, 30 couples discussed an unresolved issue in their marital relationship that involved one of their parents, and how they would resolve this issue. Five intergenerational themes were identified in these disagreements: balancing nuclear vs. extended family time, changing rules and roles, pleasing parents vs. spouse,…

Videotaped play segments between 15 4-month-old infants with their adolescent mothers and then with their fathers. Findings indicated that fathers' type of play was very similar to mothers' with the exception that fathers engaged in more social play. Fathers were found to be less sensitive than mothers to their infants' communications and fathers…

Examines how social and economic changes that have taken place in America since 1900 have affected fatherhood. Suggests that the ideologies surrounding men's parenting has changed, but that fathers' behavior toward their children has not changed significantly. Considers consequences of asynchrony between culture and conduct of fatherhood to be…

Defines and discusses advantages of parenting coalitions when children have contact with both of their parents after divorce and remarriage. Outlines developmental sequence leading to such coalitions and describes common obstacles encountered by the adults. Major focus is on therapeutic interventions which can help adults form parenting…

Discusses conceptual model highlighting renegotiation of relationships and redefinition of boundaries in divorced family system. Considers issues of intimacy and power boundary redefinition between parents and children and between former spouses regarding grief and self-efficacy. Suggests boundaries should be formal, distant, and rigid. (CRR)

Evaluated effectiveness of systematic skills training program for stepfamily parents with 34 stepfamilies. Results indicated trained parents increased desirable responses and became more verbally responsive. Children identified positive changes in relationship with parents. (ABL)

Reviews findings from selected studies on roles of spouses and stepparents; then uses review as foundation for nine clinical recommendations for therapists working with stepfamilies. Concludes that normalizing and educating members of stepfamilies to realities of stepfamily living is important key to successful clinical intervention. (Author/NB)

Reports on Constantine's theory of family models so as to provide a framework for successful adoptions. Describes four family models and how they differ in their emphasis on continuity or change and other factors. Applies models to the issue of matching family characteristics and strengths to older children's needs. (RJM)