Melissa Radey

The Living Conditions of U.S.-Born Children of Mexican Immigrants in Unmarried Families.

Recent research has brought attention to the hardship faced by children of immigrants in the United States, particularly in the Mexican-origin population. In this study, the authors are concerned with the extent to which U.S.-born children of Mexican immigrants who live in unmarried families may face exceptional risks. Using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, the authors find that young children of Mexican immigrants in unmarried families face significant disadvantages on a variety of levels compared with children of U.S.-born mothers. Mexican immigrant mothers have significantly lower levels of education and employment and much higher rates of poverty, as well as less access to social services. Although characterized by low rates of low birth weight and more positive maternal health behaviors, their poor socioeconomic and social service profile suggests that even when healthy at the starting gate, they may potentially face poor outcomes during childhood and beyond.

A Framework for Engaging Parents in Prevention

The literature on engaging families in prevention programs is informed by the Health Beliefs Model (HBM), Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), and Family Systems theory. Although useful, these frameworks have not facilitated the development of prevention-based practice strategies that recognize different levels of prevention (i.e., universal, selective, and indicated). This article contributes to the literature on parent engagement by (a) summarizing the research on factors that affect parent engagement, (b) proposing an integrated model for engaging parents that incorporates the various levels of prevention, and (c) suggesting engagement strategies for universal, selective, and indicated prevention programs within this integrated model.

Predictors of Stability and Change in Private Safety Nets of Unmarried Mothers

ABSTRACT Although the importance of social supports for single mothers in times of crisis is widely recognized, little is known about the stability of such “private safety nets” over time, as children age and maternal and household characteristics change. This study uses multilevel models and four waves of data from the Fragile Families and Child Well-Being Study to describe trajectories of social support perceptions for 3,065 unmarried mothers. Results suggest that following a birth, most unmarried mothers perceived the availability of support, but these support perceptions disintegrated somewhat in subsequent years. Mothers who appeared to have the greatest need for support—those without stable employment or a stable partner—experienced more rapid deterioration of their perceived safety nets than did more advantaged mothers. Future research should examine network composition and conditions for support provision among the most vulnerable single mothers and should consider how safety-net stability influences maternal and child health and well-being.

Me, myself and I: perceptions of social capital for mothers ageing out of the child welfare system

Youth ageing out of the child welfare system become parents at rates two to three times higher than their non-child welfare system involved peers. Substantial literature acknowledges that youth ageing out who are parenting are vulnerable; yet, little is known about their lived experiences. Social capital, or the actual or potential resources available from ones network, can provide essential resources for the wellbeing of parents ageing out. This qualitative study examined social capital of mothers ageing out from the perspectives of both mothers and service providers. We conducted small group interviews with 13 mothers ageing out and 14 service providers. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed the use of a social capital framework delineates that mothers lacked beneficial social relationships and, consequently, support. A lack of trust coupled with a desire to break intergenerational patterns and norms contributed to understanding why mothers ageing out may not capitalize on resources that providers often considered available. Based on findings, we conclude that providing mothers ageing out with additional opportunities to develop trust, positive relationships with mentors and extended services may help to disrupt intergenerational patterns of maltreatment and promote child and family wellbeing.

Short-Term Employment Services for Homeless Individuals: Perceptions from Stakeholders in a Community Partnership

ABSTRACT This article examines the importance and feasibility of immediate employment for homeless individuals from perspectives of stakeholders in a community partnership. Using grounded theory and an editing-style approach, in-depth interviews were analyzed with service recipients (n= 13) and providers (n= 9). Stakeholders viewed employment services differently. While recipients were optimistic that short-term employment services could yield immediate employment despite their barriers, providers articulated the importance of providing individualized case management with realistic expectations for homeless individuals to secure long-term, dependable employment rather than low-wage, short-term jobs. Future studies should examine discrepancies in perspectives to strengthen findings presented here and better determine employment services to meet provider and recipient expectations and goals.

Measuring Parenting Practices Among Parents of Elementary School-Age Youth

Objectives: The objective of this study is to establish the factor structure of the Alabama Parenting Questionnaire (APQ), an instrument designed to measure parenting practices among parents of elementary school children. Methods: Exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analytic (CFA) procedures are used to validate the APQ with 790 parents of children, ages 6—10. Results: Three subscales emerged representing parenting practices associated with child behavior management (positive reinforcement, positive discipline, and negative discipline). CFA fit indices indicated adequate fit with the model, with all items loading significantly on their respective factors. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the APQ can be used to measure parenting practices associated with child behavior management among parents of children, ages 6—10.

A Multi-Level Conceptual Model to Examine Child Welfare Worker Turnover and Retention Decisions

ABSTRACT There is little disagreement about the importance of a healthy stable workforce in promoting effective provision of child welfare services. This review proposes a multi-level conceptual model of child welfare workforce turnover combining traditional individual and organizational impacts with factors associated with community context. Identified gaps in the literature along with a related research agenda are reviewed. Also presented is an overview of the Florida Study of Professionals for Safe Families, a longitudinal study of new hires into the child welfare workforce across Florida, providing opportunities to address gaps and test model characteristics regarding turnover decisions and related outcomes.

Learning, Negotiating, and Surviving in Child Welfare: Social Capitalization Among Recently Hired Workers

ABSTRACT In the child welfare workplace, accessible relationships and support, although understudied, are vital to worker success. Using telephone interviews with a statewide sample of recently hired, frontline workers (N = 38), this study applied a social capital framework to consider support functionality or capitalization. Findings highlight that, although nearly all workers recognized the importance of instrumental and expressive support, many workers did not capitalize on support. Agencies may benefit from an atmosphere focused on collective interests rather than individual survival. Policy can promote supportive atmospheres through providing agencies with the ability and time to foster recently hired workers’ skills.

Adapting a Parenting Intervention for Parents Aging out of the Child Welfare System: A Systematic Approach to Expand the Reach of an Evidence-Based Intervention

Parents aging out of the child welfare system face a constellation of unique risk factors that threaten the well-being of themselves and their children. Although parenting interventions are an important resource for providing much-needed services to parents aging out, there is currently a lack of evidence-based parenting interventions that address the unique needs of this population. The purpose of this project was to systematically adapt an evidence-based parenting intervention for parents aging out. An established adaptation framework was used to guide this process, and acceptability and feasibility outcomes were evaluated as part of a pilot study of the adapted intervention. Preliminary intervention adaptations included modifications to program delivery and program content. Study findings indicated a high level of parent satisfaction with the adapted intervention but challenges to feasibility because of inconsistent attendance and the substantial effort required for intervention delivery. This study constitutes a critical first step toward increasing the reach of evidence-based parenting interventions among parents aging out of the child welfare system and underscores the need for continued efforts to develop sustainable and effective parenting services for this at-risk population.

But Where Can We Buy an Ounce of Prevention? Sprawl, Access, and Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

Fresh fruit and vegetable consumption (FFV) is integral to a healthy diet and increased longevity, yet 25.8 million Americans live in areas of restricted access, with under-resourced communities particularly vulnerable. To consider how immediate environment influences FFV, this study uses the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey (N = 122,265) to examine the influence of sprawl on FFV consumption. Findings indicate that higher sprawl relates to lower FFV consumption, and this relationship persists net of demographic covariates. Implications offer that social works person-in-environment approach can increase FFV access in under-resourced communities.