Douglas A. Abbott

Religious Belief and Practice: A Potential Asset in Helping Families.

Over 200 married adults were selected purposively from the 20 major U.S. religious denominations in two midwestern cities and surveyed via self-report questionnaires as to the influence of religious belief and practice on family satisfaction. The majority of respondents reported that religion was helpful to family life. Assistance was primarily in the form of enhancing the familys social network and by encouraging family members to petition God for help with family problems. Those who reported more social support and divine intervention reported higher levels of family satisfaction. Implications are suggested for use by family professionals.

Gambling attitudes and participation: A midwestern survey

In the last few years there has been a tremendous expansion of legalized gambling in the midwest. Multiple forms of gambling are now easily accessible. The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent of gambling in a midwestern state and to assess differences in gambling attitudes and behavior between men and women, in various income groups, living in rural and urban areas. In addition, because of the rapid increase in gambling in this region, respondents were also asked their opinions about legalized gambling. Results indicated that gambling was pervasive in all segments of this midwestern sample; however, men spent more than women and urban residents wagered more than rural residents. The poor spent a greater proportion of their income on gambling than those with middle incomes. Both the gamblers, and many of the non-gamblers, would like to see more gambling opportunities in their communities as most view gambling as a benign recreational activity. One in every ten that gambled, however, did report family problems related to gambling.

‘It's a choice, simple as that’: youth reasoning for sexual abstinence or activity

This investigation was designed to fill gaps in the extant literature by examining reasons given by youth for refraining from or engaging in sexual intercourse, in addition to their perceptions regarding the advantages and disadvantages of premarital intercourse. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 103 graduating seniors; 60 self-identified as sexually abstinent and 43 as sexually active. Survey indices were used to assess parent–youth relationships, and parent and peer attitudes toward premarital sex, religiosity, and dating patterns; open-ended questions were used to assess reasons for either engaging in or refraining from sexual intercourse, and to identify benefits and problems associated with both sexual participation and abstinence. The abstinent youth also described strategies employed for avoiding premarital sexual intercourse. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

Therapy with Muslim Couples and Families: Basic Guidelines for Effective Practice

Despite the growing numbers of Muslims in the United States, there is a scarcity of research dealing with mental health practitioners working with Muslim families. This lack of research may leave clinicians unprepared to adequately help Muslim patients and families faced with discrimination and misunderstanding, which may inadvertently lead to the perpetuation of biases in therapy. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is (a) to provide mental health practitioners with foundational information regarding the Islamic faith and the values of the traditional Muslim families and (b) to provide culturally sensitive guidelines for clinical practice.

A Comparative Study of Only Children and Sibling Children in the People's Republic of China

As a result of Chinas one-child-per-family policy, concern has been expressed in China regarding the effect of that policy on children. One hundred and sixty-four children, aged 11-13 years, in the same grade in an elementary school in Guangzhou, China, completed the Self-Perception Profile for Children. Sociometric measures were also completed by the children and their teachers. Of the 164 children, 51 were from one-child families, while 113 had siblings. No significant differences were found on the six subscales of the Self-Perception Profile. Gender effects were noted, however. Student and teacher evaluations on the sociometric measures tended to favor the only children. The results of the study provide no support for existing stereotypes concerning only-children, one-child families in China.

The Influence of a Big Brothers Program on the Adjustment of Boys in Single-Parent Families

This study is an evaluation of the self-competence, academic performance, behavioral problems, and parent-child relations of boys who had been raised in single-parent families headed by their mothers and who had weekly contact with an adult friend or companion through a midwestern affiliate of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. Results indicated that participation in such a program was not related to changes in the areas investigated. These findings are not consistent with the social support literature suggesting that an adult companion or friend may benefit children in single-parent families. Further study with a larger sample, over a longer time frame, is recommended.

Self-Concept and Sociometric Outcomes: A Comparison of Only Children and Sibling Children From Urban and Rural Areas in the People's Republic of China

We investigated differences in self-concept between 360 only children and 555 sibling children in the sixth grade of three urban schools and three rural schools in the Peoples Republic of China. Peer perceptions and teacher perceptions were also collected using sociometric measures. Self-concept was determined by the Self-Perception Profile for Children (Harter, 1985). Comparisons of sibling children and only children showed no differences on self-concept; however, urban residents had higher self-concept scores than children from rural areas, and boys scored higher than girls. No significant interaction effects between sibling status, gender, and residence were found.

A Phenomenological Study of Family Needs Following the Suicide of a Teenager

The objective of this phenomenological study was to develop an understanding of family needs following the suicide of a teenager. Six parent units living in the Midwest who lost a teenager to suicide were interviewed. Participants indicated several key themes that describe a parents needs following the suicide of a teenager. These needs were organized into 6 main categories: (a) support by listening and responding, (b) support from another suicide survivor, (c) support in finding direction, (d) support when viewing the deceased teen, (e) support in remembering the teen, and (f) support in parents giving back to the community.

Family Stress and Cultural Adaptation: Home Economics Needs Of Lao Hmong Refugees

This longitudinal study of a random sample of Lao Hmong refugees in Nebraska examined the change in need that occurred between 1980 and 1985 for the fol lowing home economics areas: housing, employment, family relations, family finance, nutrition, clothing, and social environment. A questionnaire translated into the Hmong language was used. Change was interpreted using McCubbins stress theory and Maslows Hierarchy of Needs. In 1985, Hmong reported fewer needs or problems with housing, employment, nutrition, clothing, and family conflict. However, increased problems were found with family finance, home- sickness, and concern for family members left behind in Laos. Possible reasons for these changes are discussed.

You can’t put a dollar amount on presence: young, non-resident, low-income, african american fathers

Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of young, non-resident, low-income, African-American fathers. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 6 men enrolled in the Omaha Healthy Start, Fathers for a Lifetime Program. Results: The following themes were identified: (a) A Work in Progress: Fatherhood Investment; (b) A Little Island by Myself: Barriers to Fathering; (c) I’m Going to be There From Day One to Infinity: Presence; and (d) The Tomorrow Dad: Not Like my Dad. Barriers to fathering created resource-poor environments posing challenges to involvement. Conclusions: Dispelling the myth of the “hit-and-run” father or the “package deal” remains a concern for fathers and their children. Nurses can develop early assessment strategies and interventions to help African American fathers with their parenting involvement. Fathers can be encouraged to attend community-based fathering programs to increase investment opportunities.