Third
Set of Article
Reviews for Family Relationships Middle and Later Years
Reference
Information: Tresniowski,
Alex,
Figueroa, Laura. For the Love of Mom. People. Vol.
65, Issue 12, March 27, 2006,
1-2.
Purpose
of Study: The
purpose of this
study is to show how close a family relationship is when someone
in the
family becomes very ill unexpected. To realize the dream of her mother-seriously
ill with
bone cancer-Dakoda Dowd, twelve years of age, will play in an LPGA
event. Sampling
and
Measures: This
twelve year old girl had many decisions to consider when she found out about her mother's
illness. She
could continue to play golf and become a pro at a young
age so her mother can see before she
dies or just continue to play has a youngster not become
a pro quite
yet and just live her childhood. Being close to her mother she would
like to
become a pro golfer so she can help her mother and she is able to see
her. Her
mother on the other
hand, says no matter what she will still be watching over her
daughter. Findings/Results/Main
Points: The
main point in this article is to show
that no matter what happens or is going to happen with a close family
relationship they will be there for each other. "Golf
has really helped me,"
says Dakoda. "It's given me something else to focus on." "We went
from depression
to just focusing on living," says Mike Dowd (Dakoda's father).
"Dakoda's not a
big crier," says Kelly Jo (Dakoda's mother). "She gets
that strong part from me." From these
statements from the family this shows
how close of a relationship they have and no matter what they will
survive has
a family. Even if Dakoda choices to become a pro golfer and just remains
a child and
spend time with her mother before she passea away.
Conclusion:
In
conclusion I
chose this article because it shows how close a family can be no matter
what
the situation. At first I began to read this article and it caught my
attention
right away trying not to cry I continued to finish reading the article
and
realized I could relate to it myself.
In the past year my uncle was diagnosed with cancer that I am very
close to.
With my family having a close
relationship
we try to help out has much as we can. My uncle has always been
there for me and not having a daughter of his own, "he says that I am
his daughter
that he has never had." He says that no matter what happens he will be
here for me. From this article it shows that if it back then, now, or
later in
life if you have close family relationship they will be there for each other not
matter what.
---
Author(s)/Date: Tresniowski,
Alex, Figueroa. Laura/March 27,
2006
Title:
for the
Love of Mom
Journal/Volume/Pages:
People/Volume
65 Issue 12/pages 1-2
Main
Concern/Theoretical Position: The main concern of this
article is about
a young girl who is very close
to her
mother. She finds out that her mother is very ill with bone cancer and wants to reach her goal of being
a pro golfer
before her mom dies or just stay a child.
Research
Methodology/Analytical Strategy: This
article was found searching under Academic
Premiere
Research in the Bierce Library website. The article showed that when an
unexpected
crisis
occurs in a family there are many decisions to consider especially for
a young child.
Dependent (main)
Variable of Interest: The dependent variable of
interest is how
close a family can be in a given
situation
no matter what especially for a young girl who is very close to her mother.
Important
Independent
Variables Considered: Important
independent variables considered
is rather
or not the young girl chooses to become a pro golfer so her mom can see
her before
she passes
away or continue to be a child and wait until later on in her life and
no
matter what
her mother will still be watching over her.
Description of
Findings/Assertions: It is find that when a major
crisis occurs
in a family, family
relationships are very
close and no matter what each other are there for each other. Many
decisions
might also have to be made in the family such as this one and the young
girl
becoming a pro golfer or not.
Implications: If the
girl should become a pro golfer so her
mother can see her or stay a child and
become a pro golfer later and life. This
way she can spend time with her mother and still have a childhood. No
matter
what her mother says she will be watching over her.
Your
Overall Evaluation: When I
began to read
this article trying not to cry it was very sad and
touching and that is why I chose
it. Also by choosing this article I can relate to it with my own
family. My uncle
whom I am very close to was diagnosed with cancer and my family come together
to help him
and my aunt out all that we can. Having close family relationships no
matter
what when an illness occurs everyone is there for each even if it was
back
then, now, or later
in life.
---
Main
Concern/Objective:Most
previous research that has been done on aging
usually begins in the mid/later years of 50's
and 60's. While this does provide
much information about aging, it is not fully comprehensive.
The research within
this article will begin in adolescence and look at several
factors such
as: premature death, childhood variables, and alcohol abuse as part of this
study on
'successful aging.' This aging will also be looked at from three perspectives
of:
decline, change, and development.
Research
Methodology/Analytical Strategy:This
study began with studying two cohorts
of adolescent boys, 237 in a college cohort and 332
who were core-city youth. These boys
were studied for 60 years or until death. Every five years they
underwent
complete physical examinations, and every two years psychosocial
data
about them was gathered.
Dependent
(main)
Variable of Interest:The
dependent variables that were looked at were six
outcome domains of functioning. These
were: objective physical health,
subjective physical health, years of active life, objective mental
health,
subjective life satisfaction, and objective social supports.
Important
Independent
Variables Considered:Before
the age of 50, the independent predictor variables
were assessed and are as follows: smoking, alcohol abuse, body mass
index,
years of education, some regular exercise, stable marriage, maturity of
defenses, depression, parental social class, warmth of
childhood,
ancestral longevity, stable childhood temperament, and objective
disability.
Description
of
Findings/Results:This
analysis of the aging process resulted in an
interesting outcome. It was suggested that
the variables that were assessed before
age 50 could predict the outcome of "good" or "bad" aging in the 70's and
80's. "More hopeful still, if the seven variables under some personal control were
controlled, depression
was the only uncontrollable predictor variable
that affected the quality of subjective and objective aging.
Implications:The
implication that
this research has as a result of this study of aging, is that an
individual
could have a great amount of personal control over their
biopsychosocial health
after retirement, much more than was known previously. This information
would behoove
us to take
in consideration, and perhaps alter, our current life and health
choices as we
are able to
have a huge impact on our future health in later years.
Your
Overall
Evaluation: I found
this article and the research examined within it to be very
interesting and informative. Overall the findings were laid out in a
clear
manner and were fairly easy to understand. I enjoyed learning more
about the
aging process and what it takes to make it more successful, and I
believe that
this information would be useful for everyone.
---
Author: Raheem J. Paxton, Robert F.
Valoris, and J. Wanzer Drane
Title:
Is
there a
Relationship between Family Structure and Substance Use among Public
Journal/Volume/ Pages: Journal of Child and Family
Studies, Vol. 16, Pgs 593-605
Main Concern: The
main concern is the relationship between family structure and
Samplings: The participants were 2,138
students both
were Caucasian and African
Method: The
Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey was used in determining
answers for the research. The survey consists of 63 items
organized around seven categories, (use and knowledge and
attitudes on smoking). Family Structure was measured with one item:
"Who are the
primary adults who live in your home?" Socioeconomic
Status in
this study was measured through a proxy question: "At school are you eligible for a free or
reduced price lunch." Trained data
collectors administered the survey
insuring
anonymity, privacy, and confidentially.
Findings: African
American female students
living with both parents suggest a protective
effect for ever trying a
cigarette. However, if living with their father and other relatives,
the female is more likely to use
cigarettes when compared to living with both parents. African
American
males living with their mother and stepfather or other relatives were more likely to try
cigarettes and
use marijuana when compared to those living with both parents. Caucasian females, protective
associations living with both parents
were
observed for trying cigarettes, smoking in the last 30 days, ever
smoking or drinking and
marijuana use. Females only living
with their mother have reported to more likely try cigarettes,
drinking, and
marijuana compared to living with both parents. Caucasian males living with their mother and
stepfather were
likeier to try cigarettes. For living with father only were
more likely
also. Those living with their father and stepmother
were more likely to ever try drinking and smoking than those that like
with both parents.
Evaluation:
In
this study I
really could relate to and understand, because I was raised in a
single family home
and I will say that I did try cigarettes, thank god I did not like them
or get
addicted, but
I did try them. From personal experience this study is a good tool for
parents
to be aware and informed of what could happen with their child because
of the family's
situation.
---
Main
Concern/Theoretical
Position: The main
concern of the article is how the culture that a person
lives in affects their chances of committing
suicide when they become
elderly. This study states that in countries with low socio-economic
status elderly
suicide rates are lower
because people do not live to advanced ages. They also state that in countries
where people
do live to advanced ages that the populations who are less likely to
commit elderly
suicide, like Native Americans and African Americans, is as a
result of their resiliency or life
time adversity which makes them stronger.
Research
Methodology/Analytical Strategy: The researchers
collected their data from the World Health
Organization.
They evaluated data on men and women in age ranges of 65-74 and 75 and
over.
They also collected data on suicide from the United Nations on suicide
rates in
various countries for elderly populations. They compared this data to
annual
growth rates of the consumer price index to determine economic status of the country.
Dependent
(main)
Variable of Interest: People
aged 65-74 and 75 and up.
Important
Independent
Variables Considered: economic
adversity, country of residence,
age, suicide, and race
Description
of
Findings/Assertions: They
found no significant correlations between any
of the groups and elderly suicide rates except for one. Men in the age
group of
65-74 had higher rates of suicide
in
correlation with changes of the consumer price index.
Implications: The researchers did not support their
hypothesis.
There is not a significant
correlation between economic adversity and elderly suicide rates.
Your Overall Evaluation: I have read other research on elderly
suicide,
and I know that there is
less of a
chance of suicide if there is a strong family support system, if they still live in their home, if
they are still
married, and if they are financially secure. The financially secure part made me
think that there could be a
correlation between socio-economic status and suicide in elderly
people, but
there is no connection between long-term economic adversity and less of
a
chance of committing suicide.
---
Reference
Information: Foote, R.A., Clark, L, Recker, N.
(2004).
Using Focus Group Interviews
to Identify Needs for Stepfamily Education. Journal of
Extension, 42,1-6.
Purpose
of Study: The purpose of this study was to
understand
the differences of stepfamilies,
and to help them understand their way of behaving (Foote,
Clark, & Recker,
2004).
Sampling
Comments: The study focused on four main
objectives:
acquire information relative
to stepfamily living, develop materials for
local audiences, format educational components
that meet the need of
stepfamilies, and determine how stepfamilies would like to receive
information
(Foote, Clark, & Recker, 2004).
Measures: The
method was based on using a focus group.
The focus groups were held in
two rural
counties and one urban location in
Findinqs/Results/Main
Points:
Focus group participants
identified preferred methods for receiving stepfamily
information. They
revealed the necessity for educational information
to help stepfamilies cope with their everyday lives. The focus groups
were able
to narrow the issues that were most important to the stepfamilies.
Programs
need to address both
parents and
children to have a positive effect on the family (Foote, Clark, & Recker, 2004).
Conclusion: The
results that were concluded from the
article were of no revelation because
it seems obvious that stepfamilies need to be present with positive
information
to help assist with their
everyday
lives.
---
Author(s)/Date: Alissa
Dark-Freudeman, Robin L. West, Kristen M. Viverito (2006). Title: Future
Selves and
Aging: Older Adults' Memory Fears. Journal/Volume/Pages;
Educational
Gerontology, 32, 85-109
Main
Concern/Theoretical Position: Thoughts
about the future self is an
important entity
in one's current self identity (Markus & Nurius, 1986). Markus and
Nurius
(1986) coined the term "possible selves" to refer to such
future-orientated thoughts. Possible selves are defined as, "elements
of
the self-concept that represent what an individual could become, would
like to
become, or is afraid of becoming." Again, these thoughts can be
positive,
negative, or neutral; concrete and realistic or vague and improbable (Dark-Freudeman,
West, Viverito, 2006).
Research
Methodology/Analytical Strategy; Data
was completed at home by each participant.
All participants
initially responded to an open-ended questionnaire (Cross & Markus,
1991)
designed to elicit both hoped-for and feared possible selves. After
listing
hoped-for selves they were asked to highlight their most important
hoped-for
self. Next, participants answered questions related to any
self-regulatory
factors—goal-orientated activities, self-efficacy and perceived
control—used to
make this important hoped-for self come true. Participants followed
this same
method in addressing their feared selves. The spontaneously generated
selves
were compartmentalized using the categories established by Smith and
Freund
(2002); additional categories (memory and cognition, dependency
and
finance) were included to more fully represent the responses. This resulted
in thirteen
categories; personal characteristics, health selves, social selves,
career
statements, finance statements, life events, education selves,
cognitive
activity statements,
cognitive miscellaneous, cognitive concerns, memory, dependency, and
other (to
address hopes and fears).
Dependent
(main)
Variable of Interest; The
dependent variables existed within the
sample groups. In the younger adult sample group (N=27), all were
students
recruited from
university courses. The older adult group (N=24) was recruited from the
community
area and
all were well-educated individuals.
Important
Independent
Variables Considered: Age
(mean: 19.11 years for the younger
adults and
65.38 years for the older adults), years of education (older adults
reported
more years of education). The measures of possible selves (the
previously mentioned
13
categories), memory beliefs, and self-efficacy can also be included
here.
Description
of Findings/Assertions: This
study is
hopefully the first of many of its kind. This
prolific study was the first to have a
primary focus on memory-related possible selves; it examined over 800
possible
selves and goal-orientated activities that were spontaneously
mentioned by both older
and younger adults. It was found that the selves which are most central
to our
being differ with age. In particular, the young adults were found to
spontaneously mention fewer cognitive selves than older adults. The
older adults
spontaneously
reported more memory-related selves, as the younger adults did not mention
memory-related selves whatsoever. When considering the types of memory-related
selves, older
adults mostly reported feared possible
selves, such as dementia. Further, nearly 1/3 of the older adults
reported
their greatest dread for future
as memory loss.
This was a particular interest to the researchers as the older adults
represented a well-educated
population. Young adults,
although assessed from a highly competitive college setting, where not
found to be
overly concerned about the future of neither their memory skills nor
their future
cognitive
abilities. Instead young adults reported their future hopes and fears
as encompassing
careers,
social activities, and personal characteristics.
Implications; This study may not generalize to a
less-educated
sample. Unlike previous research that has used individual interview
sessions,
all participants completed their survey
at home. However, the results were
consistent with those obtained from individual
interviews, suggesting that the
methodological change did not have a negative impact.
Also, 82% of the older adults
reported health-related selves; this is consistent with
previous
findings of 85%-90% of older adults in previous studies reporting
health-related
selves. Although
memory
beliefs have been deeply examined by previous literature, there is
still much
ambiguity. To date, this is the case for the relationship between
beliefs and
an individual's self concept (especially possible selves). Cognition is
central
to the self-concepts
of older and young adults, even though the types of cognition
differ between these
groups. It would prove noteworthy to assess the life course of
possible selves for memory and cognition with a sample that represents
different age groups and different educational backgrounds as this may
create
better insight into further differences that may appear. It would also
be
interesting for future research to include the changing dynamics
of
memory-related hopes and fears in midlife and late life sub groups and
assess
how these hopes and fears may motivate individuals to strive for
certain goals.
Your Overall Evaluation; I thought this was an
interesting
article and for me it showed how
young adults and older adults do have different
priorities. To me this article would be useful for both older and
younger
adults to realize that there are inherent differences between
their age
groups, and to accept those differences.
---
Reference
Information:
Children
in American Schools. Terry, E (5561) Children
in American Schools Today. Journal
of American Schools Today 5 (2) 298. Retrieved October 22, 2007.
Purpose
of the study: Terry
Everheart conducted a study as a symbolic interactionist on children
in American schools that attended the worst of the worst condition
schools
and viewed how they learned under the conditions of what they had to learn
in.
Sampling
and measures: A
symbolic Interactionist looks at children in American schools in the
poorest conditions as the meaning of deterioration, and low acquitted
slanders
to have an effect on how students function in a day to day society in a
negative response. This would be do to issues far as poor lunches,
holes in the
walls, no recess, because there's know play ground, multiple activities
and
courses going on in one part
of school, and water dipping etc. This could result
to why the drop out rate is high, why
kids stay in trouble, and most of all why
some students attention span is so low. Trying
to learn in these unstable conditions
are very distracting. This could result to a health
issue also.
Findings/
Results/ Main Points: Symbolic
Interactionist would look at the labeling
factor. They would see this as if a child attends this school of sort
obviously
you come
from a poor neighborhood, and a low income family. They feel that this
could be
the
result of being labeled as poor. Symbolic Interactionist thinks that
labeling
can go as far
as being a trouble kid, just because of where you came from, to not
understanding what is
being taught in the class room, because of the same reasons.
Conclusion:
Putting
a label on someone could interfere with their self fulfilling prophecy.
For
example it some consistently told their son or daughter that they where
bad, as
they where
growing up, more than likely their going to acted out what was told to them
when they were
younger. When related to school and education, this could make children
feel
like they aren't worth anything. That nobody cares about them enough to
make
their school
better. They would then start to accept their surroundings, and become
comfortable with learning in a poor environment.
---
Reference Information: Two
AARP Articles
(Subject Older Worker) (1) Healthcare
Industry Trends:
Recruiting and Retaining Older Workers and (2) Older
Workers Hold the Key to the Future,
www.aarpmagazine.org
Purpose
of Study:
This article looks at
the
necessity of trends in the Healthcare Industry to retain older workers and avoid future
crisis in
labor supply and demand.
Measures
and Sampling Comments:
By 2010, healthcare
employers must fill more than 14 million
jobs-up from 10.9 million in 2000. The current shortage in healthcare
will
magnify when boomers
retire. It will
magnify again when they require intensive medical services. Many
workers
disenchanted with medicine are leaving-for example, because of pressure
from
insurance companies for shorter hospital stays, or less time with
patients.
Competition from the insurance, pharmaceutical and retail industries
also takes
its toll. Meanwhile healthcare workers are aging: The average age of nurses is 47.
One-third of all
physicians are 55+. AARP
has joined
with national healthcare leaders to examine five key areas that impact
the recruitment and
retention of workers over 50:
Meaningful Work, Wellness and Work/Life, Training and Reskilling, Environment
and Tools, and Benefits and
Compensation
Findings/Results/Main
Points:
Employers must provide
meaningful
work to retain older employees. It is extremely important to
eliminate or
understand "older worker" stereotypes in doing so. Top manage-ment needs to
strive for a flexible and personal
work environment. Employers need to keep the pulse of the older
workers
by periodically surveying employee satisfaction
and make adjustments accordingly. Employers would be well served by
combining wellness and
work life by providing flexible work
schedules, sponsoring wellness programs, providing eldercare support
and life
planning courses. Training and reskilling including new technology
training
and tuition reimbursement also helps retain older workers. Overhauling
a work friendly environment is
helpful for the
older worker to feel safe. Lastly, mature healthcare workers want a defined benefits
pension plan, a
generous match amount for their 401(k) plan, and comprehensive health coverage.
They seek pay that reflects their
years on the job and benefits
that
address their stage of life.
Conclusion: A rapidly growing number of people
over 50 are
thinking of retirement not as a time
to quit work entirely but as a chance to switch to work that better
suits them
and is more fulfilling. According to a recent survey, half of
Americans
ages 50 to 70 say they are interested in taking jobs that will help
improve the
quality of life in their communities. And while interest in meaningful
work is
strongest in the early 50s (65 percent), it's still significant (30
percent) among respondents 65 to
70. "Those who will
keep working want more than an endless incarnation
of midlife work," says Marc Freedman, president of the nonprofit group
Civic Ventures, which
sponsored the
survey with funding from the MetLife Foundation. "They want to renegotiate their relationship with
work. They're
looking for more flexibility, and they want to be liberated
from long
workdays." In my opinion, given the imbalance of workers under and over
the age of 35 favoring the later beginning in 2020, these above
acknowledgments
by employers in the healthcare
industry will
be a necessity to keep business going as usual and be the key to the future.
---
Title:
Crossing Movement Boundaries: Factors that
Facilitate Coalition Protest by American College Student, 1930-1990
Research Question/ Purpose - The
purpose of this research study is to explore the conditions under which
organizations form alliances across movement boundaries, and examine
whether
these cross-movement coalition activity among organizations active
within a
single movement, and to see how social movements are able to exercise
power.It
is important to study this subject because of its importance to see how
social
organizations are able and how they exercise power with social
movements.The
author hypothesizes that groups will more often work around these
barriers and
engage in cross-movement coalition activity in response to threats than
they
will in response to increased opportunities. Also the author predicts
that it
will require a larger enemy to overcome these differences. Hypothesizes
also
predict that levels of coalition work and the activity of multi issue
movement
organizations would generate higher overall levels of protest activity.
Theory: The author uses social
movement theory. By using this theory the author can directly determine
the
different factors facilitate the occurrence of cross-movement and
facilitate
social movement, power, and success. Resource mobilization theory was
also used
regarding the mobilization effect of resources and organization.
Political
opportunity theory was also used in this study.
Methods: Data from 2,644 protest
events that occurred at nine
Findings: The main finding of the
study was that organized coalitions facilitate mass mobilization but
they also
know that they may be unable or unwilling to overcome, and larger
threats
inspire cross-movement coalition. The way that social movement can
demonstrate
their power is by mobilizing large numbers of participannts.
---
Reference: Coping
with Divorce and Seperation. By Boyer, Susannah, Community Care,
9/6/2007,
Issue 1689.
Purpose of Study: About one
of four children will experience a divorce or separation by
their parents. Children will be highly affected by the divorce. The
author
points out that at a time of such high stress and disruption it is
likely that
the parents may act unreasonably or may not put the child’s best
interest
first. Children have no direct involvement in court hearings and have
little
say in the arrangements. Under section 8 of the Children Act 1989
residence and
contact orders are made to promote and safeguard the welfare of a
child.
Section 7 of the act gives provisions for a report to be written to the
court.
Below are the results.
Sampling techniques and results: The survey was distributed to 1,552 children
aged
eleven or older. The target population was children who had been
involved in
cases handled by the court system. Of the children who were targeted
only about
8% responded. The survey addressed four aspects of the kid’s
experiences;
Understanding the court processes, level of involvement in decision
making
process, experience of the professional services provided to them,
experience
of the resident and contact agreements made. Majority of the children
lived
with their mothers, about 40 lived with their fathers and 10 had shared
residency. About half of the children had seen professionals (mainly
social
workers) and majority of the children felt as if the services helped. A
big
majority said the living arrangements were satisfactory. About half of
the
children said that the professional helped by letting them say what
they wanted
to say.
Sampling comments: “One
model of service provision for this growing group of potentially
vulnerable children will not fit all”
Main points/discussion: The
article really focuses on the effect that divorce
has on the children. Divorce is a time of high stress for everyone and
some
parents may lose their sense of maturity and focus. The study was
designed to
understand how children felt through the process. Children really don’t
have a
whole lot of say in the decisions that will be made post divorce and
the article
focuses on the child’s opinion. The results prove that being able to
talk about
their concerns really made the children feel as if the professional
helped. It
is the characteristics of the child, the intensity of the conflict, and
the
parents that impacted the children’s satisfaction with the outcome. The
survey
was a great measure to help individuals understand the impact that
divorce has
on the children.
Conclusion: More
then half of all marriages end in divorce. The rate gets higher for
second and
third marriages. Traditional roles are in the past and we are in the
age of the
post modern family. Many aspects of these changes have lead to an
increasing
rate of divorce. Divorce is a tense and complicated situation for
anyone. When
children are involved it gets even worse. While parents are fighting
with each
other over custody and parental duties children are often left unheard.
Children tend to feel as if the divorce is their fault and may have
some
confusion during the process. It is important for parents to maintain a
mature
and civil relationship around the children. Parents should consider
their
children’s thoughts and feelings when making decisions. The studies
show that a
lot of the children felt as if they were not a part of the decision
making process.
The children felt better when the social workers let them say what they
wanted
to. Children don’t understand the legal aspects and terms of divorce
but it is
important for parents to explain that best they can the changes that
are going
to take place.
---
Reference Information: Diemer
A. Matthew, O’ Brien A. Bernard, Richard A. Mackey(2000) Psychological
Intimacy
in the Lasting Relationships of Heterosexual and Same-Gender Couples,
Sex
Roles, Volume 43 (November 2000), p 201-228
Purpose of Study: The
purpose of this article was to look at the meaning of Intimacy in long
lasting
relationships of people from all different backgrounds. Intimacy was
defined by
the couples and researchers. Researchers defined intimacy as one could
be
honest in talking and sharing personal thoughts and feeling with their
partner
even after years of being with one another. Most studies are done on
young
adults and new marriages but these researchers looked at couples that
have been
together an average of thirty years. The participants were white,
black,
Mexican, and all had a mix of either protestant, catholic, or Jewish
backgrounds.
Sampling Comment: “In
this framework, psychological intimacy referred to the meaning
associated with
relational experiences, as reported in participants’ interviews.
Operationally,
psychological intimacy was defined as the sense that one could be open
and
honest in discussing with a partner personal thoughts and feelings not
usually
expressed in other relationships. This concept of intimacy is different
from
actual observations of verbal and nonverbal interactions, which may
contribute
(or not contribute) over time to an inner sense of being
psychologically
intimate in relationships. The focus of our research was on inner
psychological
themes (i.e., schemas of intimacy) as reported by participants, which
were
assumed to be contingent on the quality of specific relational
experiences
between partners.” This is under the Theoretical Framework section of
the
article.
Study Methods/Research: The
research lasted ten years and as done in two phases. 216 partners
participated
in 108 heterosexual and homosexual relationships. The first phase
consisted of
a qualitative analysis of data in the form of interviews of spouses.
The second
phase was a recorded interview that focused on qualitative and
quantitative
questions. The couples defined intimacy and the difference of what it
is
between men and women. The interviews were separated into four sections
once
again. They were designed to dig deep into the relationships of the
participants to understand the life-span of their relationships. The
interviews
were held in the home which was most comfortable for the participants
and
allowed them to remain the in the study over the years. 76% of
participants
were white and 24% of color which includes African Americans and
Mexicans. 46%
were protestants, 34% catholic, and 20% Jewish were the religious
breakdown
percentages. The mean age sample was 57 years.
Findings/Results/Main Points:
The findings were that men and women look at intimacy differently.
Intimacy is
important in an individual’s well-being. Individuals could receive
support from
their partner when they were intimate with them. It reduces stress,
enhances
self-esteem, and reduces psychological impairment.
It was surprising to see that education,
social factors; religion did not play that major of a role in intimacy.
The
common finding was that the relationships with less conflict, less of a
confrontive conflict management style, and mutual decision making
styles, plus
relational equity is what produced more intimacy.
Conclusion/Evaluation: In
conclusion, intimacy must be looked at in
four components which are proximity, openness, reciprocity, and
interdependence
of partners. They must be assessed throughout the relationship because
it
changes with time and length of the relationship. Communication and
comfort
level is key in developing great intimacy in even the later years of
marriage.
This article opens the door for more research of couples that have been
together for a long time.
---
Reference Information: Sotirin, Patty; Buzzanell, Patrice M.;
Turner, Lynn
H. Colonizing Family: A Feminist Critique of Family Management Texts.
Journal
of Family Communication, 2007, Vol. 7, No.4 pgs 245-263.
Purpose of Study: This article talks about the ways families
today communicate and
manage every day life activities throughout their families and work. It
also
discusses the long tradition of applying managerial techniques and
principles
to more efficiently manage domestic and familial responsibilities. As
well as
the ways families value relationships, family priorities, work issues
and so
on.
Sampling Comments: Even in
the 1950s, idealized as a family-focused decade, corporate demands were
preeminent; the organization man sacrificed family life to corporate
needs
requiring a stay-at-home wife to do so (Coontz, 1992; Whyte, 1956).
Hochschild
(2003) shows how personal intimacy and family care—child care,
housework,
emotional support, and even conjugal romance—are “outsourced” to
commercial
providers.Ciulla (2000) argues that the time orientation of work
dominates
home. She points out that the activity of puttering, once an engaging,
random
series of
Findings/results/main points:
Throughout this article I found that society has been viewing the ways
families
manage their every day lives for years. Ever since the 1950's when
women took
on working roles besides the house hold chores, time management has
become
effective in each family. Married couples tend to become so busy
nowadays due
to vast work schedules, conflicting hours and children’s high demands.
Parents
are now creating lists just to keep up with the conflicting schedules
and to do
lists. Family time together is becoming more less. This article argues
that
there is no true way to manage time properly, yet we all know that by
taking
the time to spend with our families is and should be a number one
need/want.
When reading further into this article, I came across a study that was
done
when googling or searching for the words “family management.” The
amount of
hits that came up was remarkable. This article discusses that we have
so many
parenting books and time management planners and advice books that we
should be
able to see how easy it is to take the time to control life and work on
life
priorities, rather than work, school, to do lists and so on.
Conclusion: In conclusion this article is one everyone
should read whether they have a family of their own or plan on having
one some
day. Society has become so wrapped up in what “you should” be doing as
apposed
to what “we are” doing. Nowadays you can buy a book or google anything
you want
to know about, yet finding time to spend with your family should be
something
well all want and know. There’s no book or google search that’s going
to tell
you how you should be spending your time with your family or when the
right
time to actually do that is. Life is to short and it can be gone in the
blink
of an eye, if we all learn to take the time to work on life’s
priorities first,
we will be able to find time to manage everything else later.
Author(s)/Date: Pielage, S.B., Luteijn, F., & Arrindell,
W.A. (2005)__________
Title: Adult Attachment, Intimacy
and Psychological Distress in a Clinical and Community Sample_Journal/Volume/Pages: Clinical
Psychology and Psychotherapy, 12, 455-463____
Main Concern/Theoretical Position: This
article researched the influence of
attachment theory and if it can predict whether or not someone will
have a
meaningful relationship later in life.
The article also studied the role of intimacy and whether or not
this
helped an individual’s present romantic relationship and the
similarities
between adult attachment and psychological distress.
Research Methodology/Analytical
Strategy:
There were
ninety-two people in the study that were gathered from many different
outpatient clinics in the North of the
Dependent (main) Variable of
Interest:
The main
Dependent variable used was psychological distress.
There was also intimacy in the current
relationship, depression, loneliness and satisfaction with life.
Important Independent Variables Considered: The main
Independent variable used was
attachment style; which includes four types.
Another variable included gender.
Description of Findings/Assertions:
Attachment security was proven to be
positive for the individual while; attachment insecurity was negative
towards
the individual’s intimacy in their current relationship.
Intimacy only proved to be partially involved
in the relationship between attachment and psychological distress. There seems to be a direct effect of
psychological distress based on the level of attachment but, not so
much on the
level of intimacy in the relationship.
In the clinical sample those with a fearful attachment and in
the
community those with a preoccupied attachment style had close to
perfect
mediation with their partners.
Implications: Future research
could
study using more experienced multi-item scales to measure adult
attachment. Also, research will learn
the complexity of the relationship between attachment, intimacy in
relationships, and psychological distress.
Your Overall Evaluation:
It was
an interesting article to read. However,
I think more research needs to be done since the level of loneliness
and
depression were negatively affected with attachment security. I thought it was interesting that the article
said a romantic partner is possibly the most important attachment
relationship
in adult life. Also, a satisfying
romantic relationship is an important source of happiness and wellbeing
and a
supportive relationship may even protect people against the impact of
unpleasant life-events.
---
Reference Information: Sorensen, S., Pinquart, M. (2000).
Preparation for
Future Care Needs: Styles of Preparation Used by Older Eastern German,
United
States, and Canadian Women. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 15.
349-381.
Retrieved October 22, 2007 from the World Wide Web.
Purpose of Study: The article
investigates three questions in relation to preparing for future care
needs.
First what are the patterns of preparation and level of detail that the
women
sampled engage in? Second, what are the subjective views of planning
care and
the emotional response to preparing care? What are the patterns of
objective
individual conditions (of which the respondents may not be aware) that
distinguish each planning style? Lastly, How do the styles of
preparation most
prevalent in each national context relate to social change and economic
structure within these contexts?
Sampling and Measures:
Participants were older women who lived in Eastern
Germany, Western U.S. and
Findings/Results/Main
Points: Before assessing the
results
of the research questions, the frequency of thought about future needs
was
accessed. The results were that 78% of German women, 80% of
Conclusions: Preparation
styles for the future are influenced by
individual perceptions and experiences (social, financial and
political). A
substantial barrier to planning is difficulties in accurately accessing
future
needs and living in a rapidly changing world. The excessive worry and
thwarted
planning surrounding planning are likely to cause distress. The
findings
suggest that assistance with planning and preparation for the future
may be
useful to older adults, if accompanied by tangible support that allows
for
feasible plans to be developed.
---
Author(s)/Date:
Margie L. Kitter Edwards. May 2004
Title:
We’re Decent People: Constructing and Managing Family Identity in Rural
Working
–Class Communities. ournal/Volume/Pages: Marriage and Family 66:515-529
Main Concern/Theoretical Position:Managing family along with
household, and
having a mental account needed to be done. This article also shows
unidentified
forms of family labor and its management. Remembering to often
psychological
theories are often minimized through its importance. Symbolic
interaction is
also a useful framework when you are placing a meaningful activity to
help
family identity management.
Research Methodology/Analytical
Strategy:The respondents came from two different sites. Peach
Orchard and
Dependent (main) Variable of Interest:That
questions changed, but also having the consistent of the grounded
theory
method, help with each piece of data, that was collected.
Important Independent Variables
Considered:When she studied each group, she saw similarities. That the relationship was stability were
concurrent and the better investment and the importance of
child-oriented
households.
Description of
Findings/Assertions:That personal
welling of a household was important. “good mother” “have good kids”
That they
are proactively involved in family identity management, and are
teaching their
children to have family pride. The settled families have a good family,
but not
a good community. The hard living families have children with attitudes
and also
have behaviors.
Implications:That each family also
has problems within each life. Such as extended family having to come
live with
family member who may not have a lot of money and also have children
who do not
listen. Some active hard living does not have contact or avoid contact
with
family members. The respondent’s orientation is towards household labor
and the
parenting that goes on. IT is also the family identity management of
work that
goes on, that what does not go on.
Your Overall Evaluation: It was a
good article, about two different sites. I believe you are always going
to have
different situations. I really didn’t think about people actually
living on a
campground. I go camping, but I couldn’t imagine living there
year-around. On
the other end, I love camping so it could be fun too. I also think
family is
important and I am glad that the settled families have good kids and
households.
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