Search Results (414)

The division of labor in mixed-gender couples has been a popular research topic for several decades, including discussions about household labor, childcare, and paid employment. However, few studies have examined these processes as they apply to highly religious couples, whose perspectives on labor division show some evidence of diverging from those who are less devout. To better understand how successful mixed-gender, highly religious couples from a broad range of faith traditions conceptualize the division of paid and unpaid labor, we employed a strengths-based, qualitative approach, examining data from 103 interviews with highly religious, highly satisfied couples (N = 206 participants). Viewed within an interdependence theory framework, findings across numerous religions and ethnicities revealed evidence of communal relationships, with themes emphasizing partnership, shared responsibility, and varied labor arrangements that required commitment, trust, and sacrifice. While spouses evidenced high levels of agreement with each other, a strong emphasis on a husband’s responsibility to provide financially contrasted with a more nuanced view of women’s roles, with some participants stressing women’s roles at home and some highlighting their right to choose employment and a more flexible household labor division. Difficulties mentioned revolved around traditional labor arrangements and work–life balance for husbands. Full article

This study examines the impact of Kosovo’s matrimonial property and inheritance laws on intergenerational inheritance and family connections. It explores how the division of property during marriage or upon divorce influences inheritance outcomes and the continuity of family lineage. The research employs a comparative approach, including genealogical case studies, to analyze these effects. Findings demonstrate that legal provisions significantly influence the preservation of family property and help prevent intra-family disputes. Well-structured laws ensuring the participation of children and the surviving spouse promote gender and social equality, respect heirs’ rights, and support economic sustainability. Comparative experiences from Germany and France offer practical examples for harmonizing property management in Kosovo. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of accurate property data and the use of genealogical records to maintain continuity in material inheritance and the construction of family history. Overall, matrimonial property and inheritance laws are more than legal instruments; they uphold social order and safeguard families’ material legacies. The study concludes with concrete recommendations for policy and legal practices that address communities’ real needs while acknowledging family history. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hispanic caregivers report higher levels of burden and poorer mental health compared to non-Hispanic caregivers. While problem-solving interventions have shown promise in improving stroke caregiver and patient well-being, they have not been specifically tailored or tested with Hispanic stroke caregivers. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a telephone- and online-based problem-solving intervention that was culturally adapted for Spanish-speaking Hispanics on caregiver burden. Methods: A two-arm parallel randomized clinical trial (NCT03142841) with repeated measures was conducted with 210 Hispanic caregivers of veterans who had experienced a stroke within the past year. Participants were recruited from three VA medical centers. The intervention consisted of 8-telephone sessions using online materials conducted by a trained interventionist. Participants in the standard group received usual VA resources they would have received as part of routine care such as stroke-related information. Chi-square tests and regression analyses were used to assess outcomes at 9 and 21 weeks. Results: Most participants were female (88%), college-educated (49%), and spouses or partners of a veteran (46%). Caregivers in the intervention group showed significantly greater reductions in caregiver burden (p = 0.011; p < 0.001) compared to the standard care group. Conclusions: Similarly to others reporting positive findings with non-Hispanic caregivers, these findings suggest that the problem-solving intervention can potentially alleviate Hispanic Spanish-speaking stroke caregivers’ burden by improving coping skills, problem-solving, and social support. Further research is needed to address gaps in effective interventions and promote equitable care for this population. Full article

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was a traumatic experience that brought disruption to people’s lives and required intense changes to be made in a short period of time. The adversity and trauma that COVID-19 brought may have had a negative long-term impact on the lives of widows who lost their spouses during the pandemic, particularly in Africa. However, little attention has been paid to the psychosocial experiences that African widows have encountered post-COVID-19. The objective of this paper is therefore to report the findings of a scoping review that examined the psychosocial challenges that African widows experienced during COVID-19 in low-resourced communities. Eligible sources such as databases were systematically searched for articles published between 2019 and 2023 using keywords related to the challenges experienced by African widows in low-resourced communities. Initially, the database search produced 4021 records. After the screening process, exclusions were made, and the final number of articles eligible for inclusion in the study was four (n = 4). Sources were subject to quality appraisal and data were extracted in line with the review question. The findings suggest that COVID-19 disrupted the widows’ support systems, usually provided by their families, friends and fellow church congregants, which exacerbated the psychosocial challenges experienced by widows such as feelings of neglect, helplessness and stigmatization and restricted the customs and traditions that help with the healing process. This paper concludes by recommending that further research be carried out to improve interventions that enhance the healing processes associated with widowhood to address the psychosocial challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in low-resourced communities. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aims to investigate the association between health literacy (HL) and stress among family caregivers of older adults with dementia. Methods: Older adults and their caregivers were recruited from the geriatric outpatient memory clinic of an Italian hospital. Caregiver stress was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire-12 items (GHQ-12). HL was measured using the Newest Vital Sign (NVS) and the Short Form of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA). Results: A total of 170 (71% females) caregivers, including spouses and offspring, were included in the analysis. According to the NVS, 53% demonstrated adequate HL, while 83% achieved adequate scores on the S-TOFHLA. The median GHQ-12 score was 15, with 48% presenting a score above 14, indicating higher stress levels; women reported significantly higher GHQ-12 scores than men. In a multivariate linear regression analysis adjusted for sex, education, and number of care tasks provided, the S-TOFHLA score showed a borderline association with the GHQ-12 score (B = −1.45; p = 0.064). When characteristics of the care-recipient were added to the model, the S-TOFHLA score emerged as an independent predictor of the GHQ-12 score (B = −1.41; p = 0.048), along with female caregiver sex and behavioral and psychological symptoms in the care-recipients. Exploratory analysis suggested that the association between HL and stress was present among male but not female caregivers. Conclusions: HL was associated with psychological stress in caregivers of older adults with dementia, with the relationship appearing more pronounced among male caregivers. Full article

Amanita muscaria (L.) Lam., commonly known as fly agaric, remains an uncommon yet clinically important cause of acute mushroom intoxication. Although typically associated with mild to moderate neuropsychiatric disturbances, the mushroom’s toxic profile is highly variable and continues to attract scientific, toxicological, and public health interest. This work provides an integrative review of the biochemical composition, toxicodynamics, and clinical manifestations associated with A. muscaria exposure, with particular emphasis on the pharmacological actions of its principal constituents, ibotenic acid and muscimol. The review is complemented by two contemporaneous cases of severe intoxication in elderly individuals, illustrating the real-world clinical expression of the toxidrome and the challenges in diagnosis and management. Both cases presented with rapid-onset gastrointestinal symptoms, profound central nervous system depression, and cholinergic features, requiring intensive supportive therapy, atropine infusion, and continuous monitoring. Full recovery was achieved in both patients. These clinical observations contextualize the broader toxicological framework discussed in the review and underscore the need for increased clinical vigilance, improved public education, and strengthened diagnostic and therapeutic preparedness regarding psychoactive wild mushroom exposures. Full article

The aging population is a global phenomenon that represents a significant demographic shift, with life expectancy closely related to individuals’ functional capacity. Background/Objectives: Identify latent dimensions in self-perceived functional variables among Brazilian older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from module K of the 2019 National Health Survey (NHS) in Brazil. Multivariate statistics were applied using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Results: The sample consisted of 22,728 older adults from all regions of Brazil, with a predominance of females (56%), an average age of 70 years (CI: 69.68–70.03), 61% engaged in weekly physical exercise, and most living with a spouse or partner (56.3%). The multivariate statistical analysis, conducted through PCA, resulted in two distinct macro-dimensions of functionality: Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs). When analyzing each macro-dimension separately, we identified internal micro-dimensions. Within ADLs, two subdimensions stood out: ADLs Upper Limb Function and ADLs Lower Limb Function. Within IADLs, the micro-dimensions included IADLs Health Management and IADLs Independent Outdoor Mobility. Close results in the subdimensions of variable K25 did not allow for a clear distinction between the estimated IADLs. However, given the importance of this variable in explaining the cognitive aspect of the functional capacity construct, we suggest maintaining it as a separate subdimension: IADLs Financial Management. Conclusions: The latent dimensions of functional capacity identified in this study may help guide functional assessment in older adults, inform therapeutic decision-making, shape public policy, and support further research on functional capacity in aging populations. Full article

The convergence of youth migration and the nuclearization of families has altered conventional living arrangements in India, indicating a sharp rise in the number of families in which older adults live alone due to the outmigration of their adult children. This study aims to explore the perceptions of left-behind older adults regarding long-distance care practices by their adult children and to describe the practical and functional care deficits that lead to vulnerability and unmet mental health care in migrant households. Twenty older adults above 65 years of age living alone or with a spouse for at least one year due to the out-migration of their adult children were selected purposively. The analysis revealed that distance from migrant children makes older adults feel anxious, miss their family togetherness, and experience increased loneliness and care gaps in later years, contributing to a multifaceted causality of vulnerability while aging alone. Narratives of distance care are often shaped by the bidirectional flow of care across generations through virtual and in-person means, where emotional and functional deprivations continue to challenge the quality of informal distant care among left-behind older adults. Mental health promotion among community-dwelling older adults is crucial for sustaining their functional capacity, thereby delaying psychological morbidities during aging. Full article

Exploring different religions allows us to identify not only differences, but also similarities between them. The search for these similarities and differences regarding such fundamental matters in human life as marriage and family justifies the creation of this article. This comparison of positions considers world religions that have existed for centuries and have a significant number of followers, such as Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Based on holy books, documents of religious communities, and scientific publications, the authors have undertaken to answer the following questions: what are marriage and family, and how are they treated in each specific religion? How are marriages formed? What are the responsibilities of spouses/parents, and what functions do families serve? What moral norms protecting marital and family life do specific religions indicate? The value of human beings and interpersonal relationships, the succession of generations and educational needs, the responsibility of the older for the younger, and also the not uncommon permissive and corrupting trends in the world, oblige us to transmit normative content approved by individual religions that is essential for the life and development of individuals and societies. Full article

This paper presents a thematic literature review of 35 studies to examine key developmental factors influencing expatriate adaptation, including language, identity integration, cultural intelligence, and spousal/family relations, impacting expatriate adaptation and acclimation to the host country. For the purposes of this review, the term “expatriate” refers to individuals who temporarily relocate abroad for education or professional assignments (self-initiated and assigned), often accompanied by spouses or family members. “Adaptation” is defined as the multidimensional process of adjustment to new academic, workplace, and social environments, encompassing both practical adjustment (e.g., communication, work/study tasks) and psychological well-being. This review uses two bibliometric reviews to set the foundation for exploring the impacts of language, identity integration, cultural intelligence, and family, highlighting that interactions with locals foster language development, identity integration, and cultural intelligence, which collectively enhances expatriates’ perceived sense of comfort and belonging. Spousal and family dynamics appear to be particularly influential, with the potential to either support or hinder successful adaptation. Although prior literature often focuses on these factors in isolation, this paper synthesizes them to provide a more holistic understanding of expatriate acclimation. It emphasizes the need for future research to explore the interrelated nature of these variables and their combined impact on expatriate well-being. Full article

This paper builds on findings from the first systematic study of military families in Slovenia (2019–2022) to critically examine how military families are perceived and constructed within broader sociocultural and institutional frameworks. Using perspectives from family studies, military sociology, defense studies, and critical military theory, the study investigates whether these perceptions continue to reproduce the traditional binary logic that positions the family as a feminized, private domain and the military as a masculinized, public domain, or whether late modern discourses have begun to disrupt these dichotomies. The analysis focuses on the intersection of gender roles, family practices, parental responsibilities, and the symbolic and practical meanings ascribed to the notion of the “military family.” We used a reflexive approach to thematic analysis, combining qualitative interviews with young adults (aged > 18) who grew up in military families (14 participants), interviews with military and civilian experts (41 participants), survey data from service members, their spouses, and civilian respondents (411 and 125 open-ended responses from separate surveys). Findings reveal significant differences in how military families are understood and experienced. More critically, the study highlights how military institutional power and its greediness extend into the familial realm, not only through logistical demands, but also through the normalization of military values, hierarchical gendered expectations, and parenting practices. Full article

Background: Research on psychological abuse among patients with breast cancer and survivors of breast cancer in Saudi Arabia is scarce. This study aimed to identify psychological abuse and its associated factors among these individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 146 patients with breast cancer and survivors of breast cancer. Data were collected from December 2024 to April 2025 using a modified survey instrument based on the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe violence against women module. An online questionnaire comprised two parts: the first collected demographic characteristics, including age, education, employment, breast cancer diagnosis, and mastectomy duration, and the second assessed psychological abuse via four items: insults, belittlement/humiliation, intimidation, and undermining of relationship stability. The association between psychological abuse and sociodemographic factors was assessed using the chi-square test. Significant associations in bivariate analyses were subsequently analyzed using exploratory logistic regression. Results: Approximately 20.5% of participants reported experiencing at least one form of psychological abuse. The most commonly reported behaviors were insults and undermining of relationship stability (both 20.5%), followed by belittlement/humiliation (17.8%) and intimidation (15.1%). Bivariate analyses indicated a greater incidence of humiliation among women whose spouses were unemployed or retired, as well as among those with more than six children. Logistic analysis indicated that spouse unemployment or retirement (OR = 5.36, 95% CI 1.62–17.74, p = 0.006) and having more than six children (OR = 5.84, 95% CI 1.33–25.55, p = 0.019) were associated with belittlement/humiliation, even after FDR correction. No significant correlations were identified regarding patient age, education, mastectomy status, or duration since diagnosis. Model diagnostics demonstrated a satisfactory fit (Nagelkerke R² = 0.22; accuracy = 82.2%) and a lack of multicollinearity (VIF = 1.00–1.03). Conclusions: Psychological abuse affects around 20% of women diagnosed with breast cancer, especially those with unemployed spouses and larger families. These results highlight the need for psychological screening and couple-based therapies in cancer care to mitigate marital stresses and enhance survivors’ well-being. Full article

Background: Apathy is a neuropsychiatric symptom that is frequently present in nursing-home residents, including residents with Korsakoff’s syndrome (KS). Although apathy is common in KS, treatment guidelines are lacking. The Shared Action for Breaking through Apathy (SABA) program, developed for people with dementia, was previously shown to be feasible in that group. The applicability of this program for the KS population seems promising, yet it was expected that the program would need to be adapted. This study aims to 1) explore what is important in identifying and managing apathy in individuals with KS, and 2) investigate the appropriate adjustments to the SABA program. Methods: This qualitative study consisted of semi-structured interviews with people with KS (n = 3), family caregivers (one spouse and one sibling) and professional caregivers (two nurses), and a multidisciplinary focus group meeting with professional caregivers (n = 12) experienced in care for people with KS. The focus group meeting was performed to deepen the understanding of the interview findings and further explore recommendations for adjustments to the SABA program. Thematic analysis was used to process the data. Results: Addressing aim 1, two themes were identified: (1) the challenge to appraise signals of apathy, and (2) the challenge to assess the needs of people with KS. Based on these themes, specific adjustments were formulated to respond to aim 2. Conclusions: The themes that were identified in this study gave direction to a KS tailored SABA program, the feasibility of which needs to be studied next. Full article

Effective transition of youth out of care has been a concern for social workers, policymakers, residential facilities, and other related stakeholders. This paper reports on the livelihood strategies and transition experiences of adolescent girls in and out of two institutions in Harare, Zimbabwe. Using the sustainable livelihood approach, this qualitative research explored and compared the livelihood strategies of 16 girls still in care with 16 who had exited. Framework analysis was used to interpret the data. The findings show that girls in institutions mainly rely on institutional support for their livelihoods, while those who leave employ a wider range of strategies including support from relatives, foster parents, institutions, and spouses. Social networks emerged as a key strategy for both financial and social security. However, differences in the resources available through these networks significantly impacted the girls’ livelihood outcomes, either positively or negatively. Overall, many adolescent girls remained unable to sustain themselves or cope with the challenges of transitioning to adulthood and life beyond institutional care. The study recommends that transition programmes that address early marriage as a means of security, expanding family and fostering care options, reducing institutional dependency, tackling economic exclusion and unemployment be developed. Full article

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of disability on dyadic quality of life (QoL) among stroke survivors and to examine the mediating role of social support in this process. Methods: Outcome measures were collected at four time points: baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-discharge. The Actor–Partner Interdependence Mediation Model was used to analyze the dyadic data. Results: A significant association was observed between a higher degree of disability and more severe depressive symptoms in stroke survivors (β = 0.626) and their spouses (β = 0.426). Survivors’ disability had a negative impact on their own physical health (β = −3.731) and indirectly affected the physical health of the spouse caregiver through the spouse caregiver’s depression (β = −0.198). In addition, disability affects the survivor’s own mental health through depression and social support (β = −0.231) and indirectly through the spouse caregiver’s depression and their own social support (β = −0.156). Conclusions: Survivor disability has a major impact on depression and QoL in couples with stroke. It is recommended that healthcare providers should identify disability early in stroke survivors and then target interventions to improve the QoL of couples affected by stroke who are at high risk of negative emotions. Full article