Fam. Sci., Volume 2, Issue 1 (March 2026) – 7 articles

This grounded theory study examines how 40 married couples (N = 80) successfully maintained sexual abstinence until marriage, focusing on the strategies, relational processes, and spiritual commitments that sustained this non-normative practice. Because premarital abstinence is statistically uncommon among African Americans, this sample functions as a critical case context—offering a high-contrast environment in which grounded theory can clearly illuminate the relational and spiritual mechanisms that support abstinence maintenance. Using in-depth individual and dyadic interviews, the study explores how couples upheld abstinence in contexts where it was often encouraged within religious settings yet rarely modeled by parents, mentors, or peers. Findings revealed four interrelated processes: (a) a shared spiritual “why” grounded in sacred meaning, (b) mutual commitment and accountability, (c) proactive boundary-setting and trigger management, and (d) grace-based resilience and recommitment after lapses. Together, these processes illustrate the Premarital Sexual Abstinence Sustainability Model through which couples co-manage temptation and align their behaviors with shared spiritual values. Despite limited examples in their communities, many participants reported becoming perceived role models within their families and faith settings, demonstrating how new behavioral templates emerge when social models are absent. Overall, as the first study of its kind to document how abstaining couples sustain their commitment and experience success, this work offers new implications for research, relationship education, counseling, and faith-based program development. Full article

Objective: This exploratory study investigated the 10-year longitudinal associations between Family Alliance (FA) in infancy and various outcomes in adolescence (e.g., psychopathological symptoms, self-esteem, life satisfaction). Background: Extensive evidence suggests that the quality of family relationships plays an important role in children’s development. However, few studies have documented this association using observational assessments of the family both in infancy and adolescence, and fewer studies have used longitudinal designs to explore these effects. Method: Using a convenience sample of N = 38 mother–father–child triads, FA was assessed in infancy (at 3, 9, and 18 months postpartum) and in early adolescence (at age 10–13). Adolescent symptoms, self-esteem, and satisfaction with life were self-reported. Results: Regression analyses showed that FA in infancy predicted neither psychopathological symptoms nor self-esteem, but it did predict scores of life satisfaction. FA in infancy and adolescence was significantly and positively associated. Conclusion: The quality of an infant’s relational environment may predict life satisfaction in adolescents. Implications: In health services, promoting family relationships of high quality in the postpartum period may have long-term effects that persist until adolescence. Full article

The pathway to marriage has changed substantially over the past 20 years or so, with many marrying later or choosing not to marry at all. Yet, many young people report that they do want to marry someday and some marry before the age of 25. There are various influences on the choice to marry or not marry. According to social impact theory, some of these choices may have to do with the immediacy of the source of impact. This study investigates how various influences, from various ranges of immediacy impact important areas of personal and relationship well-being. Results show that pressures to marry early are associated negatively with satisfaction with life and relationship satisfaction, while positively associated with stress and depression. Some results also show the connection of social immediacy impact in that parents’ marrying early positively associates with satisfaction with life, and negatively associates with relationship disillusionment and stress, while siblings marrying early was negatively associated with relationship satisfaction, and friends marrying early was positively associated with relationship satisfaction and negatively associated with stress. Religious influences were only positively associated with satisfaction with life. Implications for practitioners and researchers are provided based on study results and theoretical information. Full article

Retirement marks a pivotal transition not only for individuals but also for their families. Existing research has examined relational aspects of retirement but primarily focuses on how family members influence the retiree’s well-being rather than on the impact of this transition on other family members and the broader family system. To address this imbalance, the present review synthesizes evidence drawing upon Family Life Course Theory and Family Systems Theory. Using a well-established five-stage framework, we conducted extensive database searches and refined our guiding research question. Of the 4034 studies identified, 61 were selected for detailed analysis. Data extraction and thematic coding, supported by MAXQDA 24 software, revealed eight interconnected themes: marital quality and conflict; dyadic adjustments between partners; financial impacts and concerns; time use and leisure; redistribution of domestic roles; health outcomes; emotional and psychological effects on the family unit; and intergenerational dynamics. Across these domains, gender consistently emerged as a central, asymmetrical determinant of adaptation. Ultimately, this review demonstrates that retirement constitutes a relational turning point within families and calls for future research to adopt inclusive, longitudinal designs, and for practitioners and policymakers to develop family-centred interventions that recognize the systemic impact of retirement. Full article

Background/Objectives: Family members are the principal providers of home-based care for migrant older adults. Linguistic, cultural, and structural barriers within health systems exacerbate the caregiver burden across emotional, physical and financial domains. Although home healthcare services may alleviate this burden, variability in access, cultural safety, and care coordination can also intensify it. This scoping review maps the evidence on the burden experienced by family caregivers who deliver home-based healthcare to migrant older adults and examines how these arrangements affect caregivers’ health and well-being. It synthesizes the literature on facilitators and barriers—including access, cultural-linguistic fit, coordination with formal services, and legal/immigration constraints—and distills implications for policy and practice to strengthen equitable, culturally responsive home care. Method: The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scoping review framework was used to conduct the review. A comprehensive search was performed across six databases (CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and Sociological Abstracts) for articles published between 2000 and 2025. Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria focusing on the family caregiver burden in providing home healthcare for migrant older adults. Data extraction and thematic analysis were conducted to identify key themes. Results: The review identified 20 studies across various geographical regions, highlighting four key themes: (1) Multidimensional Caregiver Burden, (2) The Influence of Gender, Family Hierarchy, and Migratory Trajectories on Caregiving, (3) Limited Access to Formal and Culturally Appropriate Support, and (4) Health Outcomes, Coping, and the Need for Community-Based Solutions. Conclusions: System-level reforms are required to advance equity in home healthcare for aging migrants. Priorities include establishing accountable cultural-safety training for providers; expanding multilingual access across intake, assessment, and follow-up; and formally recognizing and resourcing family caregivers (e.g., navigation support, respite, training, and financial relief). Investment in community-driven programs, frameworks and targeted outreach—co-designed with migrant communities—can mitigate isolation and improve uptake. While home healthcare is pivotal, structural inequities and cultural barriers continue to constrain equitable access. Addressing these gaps demands coordinated policy action, enhanced provider preparation, and culturally responsive care models. Future research should evaluate innovative frameworks that integrate community partnerships and culturally responsive practices to reduce the caregiver burden and improve outcomes for migrant families. Full article

This study examines a seven-week informal familycentric rocketry pilot program designed for Latina girls in grades 5 and 6 and their parents. Grounded in Community Cultural Wealth and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy, the program integrated Family Problem-Based Learning to position families as co-educators in science learning. Through activities such as designing NASA-style mission patches, constructing egg-drop devices, and launching rockets, the program sought to center family knowledge, bilingual practices, and cultural values within physical science experiences. Data reported here were collected through mid- and post-program surveys with both parents and daughters. Responses indicate strong engagement from families, with parents reporting increased high confidence in supporting their daughters’ science learning and daughters expressing enjoyment and strong interest in science learning. Both groups valued the use of English and Spanish and the program’s emphasis on collaborative, family-centered participation. Responses highlight the potential of culturally sustaining, familycentric approaches to address the underrepresentation of Latina women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) by fostering a sense of belonging. This study contributes to informal science education by demonstrating how families can be centered in a program focused on physical science. School-based outreach of this kind may also strengthen families and parent–child relationships. Full article