Rhonda A. Richardson

Bittersweet connections: informal social networks as sources of support and interference for adolescent mothers

As a part of a larger study 46 adolescent mothers were administered the Inventory of Social Contacts which unlike previous social network measures assesses perceptions of both support and interference derived from family and peers. Results indicate that while subjects derived considerable support from their networks they also experienced interference from those same individuals. The most significant source of interference was found to be from relatives in the areas of child rearing and emotional/personal concern. Family members and friends were equally important as sources of child rearing, emotional, and material support. Implications for practice are discussed.

Intergenerational Sharing Seminars: Their Impact on Young Adult College Students and Senior Guest Students.

A 3‐month intergenerational program was developed on the premise that it is important for young adults, who are in the formative period of career development and direction, to experience the benefits of positive interaction with older persons. Program evaluation findings showed that participation not only influenced the young adults’ interest in gerontology, but also increased their willingness to accept older persons on social and academic levels. Positive changes were documented for the Senior Guest students and included more favorable attitudes toward young adult family members as well as toward the younger generation of college students in general.

Peer relationships as a source of support for adolescent mothers.

Little has been written about the role of the peer group in the lives of adolescent mothers. There has been speculation that an adolescent mothers peer relationships change as a result of pregnancy andparenthood. The literature indicates that peers become less able to provide a support system. Little empirical evidence has been provided to support this speculation. This study assessed a sample of 46 adolescent mothers on the amounts and types of supportprovided byfriends as compared to relatives and examined peer support in relation to parenting stress. The Inventory of Social Contacts measured levels of perceived child-rearing, emotional, and material support and interference from family and friends. The Parenting Stress Index assessed self-reported parenting stress arising from child and parent characteristics. Results of repeated-measures ANOVAs and Pearson correlations indicated that, as compared to family, friends provide more emotional support and less interference. Parenting stress is buffered more effectively by the support that is provided by friends.

Perceived Sibling Relationships of Sexual Minority Youth

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships of sexual minority youth and their siblings. The participants were 56 lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender individuals ranging in age from 18 to 24 years, who reported information about a total of 107 siblings. Respondents completed a demographic data questionnaire as well as adapted versions of the Sibling Closeness Scale (SCS) and the Sibling Approval of Sexual Behavior Scale (SASBS) to describe their relationship with each of their siblings. Analyses examined birth order and gender in relation to outness to siblings as well as sibling closeness and approval. Results provide information about disclosure of LGBT status to siblings, elements of closeness and acceptance in sibling relationships of sexual minority youth, and the significance of gender and birth order in these sibling relationships.

Service-learning in parenting education : Insights from students and parent participants

Abstract The field of family studies is particularly suited to service-learning, but one area that has not received much attention in this regard is that of parenting education. This article highlights a series of parenting education workshops that were incorporated into a parent-child relationships course, utilizing a developmental assets framework. Student reflections and parent evaluations are used to consider the extent to which the service-learning activity enabled students to apply course content to real-world experiences, view themselves as emerging professionals, and have a positive impact on the community. Implications for continuing or replicating similar service learning experiences are included.

Applying a Positive Youth Development Perspective to Observation of Bereavement Camps for Children and Adolescents

ABSTRACT A positive youth development perspective focuses on recognizing psychosocial strengths and providing social environments that contribute to the development of these in children and adolescents. Bereavement camps can provide such an environment as they help children cope with the death of someone close. The purpose of this study was to observe bereavement camps through the lens of positive youth development to determine the applicability of the eight features of positive developmental settings for describing bereavement camps (safety, appropriate structure, supportive relationships, opportunities to belong, positive norms, support for efficacy, skill building opportunities, integration of family and community). Observational notes were recorded by researchers during on-site visits to three different weekend bereavement camps. Results identified how each element of positive developmental settings was exemplified in either typical camp activities or bereavement-focused activities. For example, assigning campers to cabin groups based on age and gender provided opportunities to belong, and giving campers a comfort object and a big buddy provided supportive relationships. Findings were used to create a positive developmental settings observation checklist for use by bereavement camp practitioners to assess the extent to which each camp provides the requisite elements for promoting positive youth development.