Family Sciences

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.

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.

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.