As part of The Family Institute's mission, we are committed to using clinical science to improve the effectiveness of our interventions. Clinical Science Insights distills our research expertise in a way that is relevant to both clinical practice and everyday life.
In this forum, our postdoctoral fellows, clinical staff and affiliates share their expert knowledge on a variety of topics relevant to families today – from child development, to innovative treatments for depression and anxiety, to best parenting practices, to the latest research on what works in couples therapy – just to name a few. These succinct summaries of the latest empirical research and theory on issues relevant to families are written for professional and lay audiences alike.
Co-Parenting After Divorce
About half of all American children will experiencetheir parents’ divorce, and 25% will also face divorce in a parent’s second marriage (Copen, Daniels, Vespa,& Mosher, 2012). While divorce is often stressful for families, a great deal of variability exists in children’s adjustment to divorce. One important factor linked with child outcomes after divorce is the quality of the divorced couple’s co-parenting relationship.
Disaster Response and Recovery
This article will discuss the mental and emotional impact of disasters; present a brief overview of research on disaster response; and offer practical suggestions for preparing for and responding to the psychological consequences of disasters.
When the Kids aren't Kids
As more couples divorce at mid-life or beyond, adult children of divorce represent a significant and growing segment of the population. While research and intervention efforts have focused on young children who still live in the family home at the time of their parents’ divorce, adult children who experience the pain of their parents’ divorce after leaving the family home also experience difficulty.
The Influence of Marital Satisfaction on Father Involvement and Child Development
Much research has been devoted to discovering the components of a satisfying marital relationship. Typically, researchers measure marital quality by asking spouses to rate their global marital satisfaction, which is defined as “an attitude of greater or lesser favorability toward one’s own marital relationship” (Roach, Frazier & Bowden, 1981, p. 537).
Ethnic Identity in Emerging Adulthood
Emerging adulthood, a developmental period situated between adolescence and young adulthood, is an “age of explorations:” a time in life in which one of the tasks is to determine who one is and how one fits into society (Arnett, 2000, 2006). The concept of emerging adulthood refers to a period in which young people are legally adult but do not yet see themselves as fully adult, and have not taken on the range of responsibilities that are characteristic of adulthood in…
Problem Gambling
This article will provide a description of problem gambling, its impact on couple and family relationships, and current family based treatment options. The goal is to raise awareness about problem gambling, and provide families with resources if they are concerned about their own or a family member’s gambling behavior.
More Than Just a Trophy
Researchers have begun to closely consider the developmental consequences of extracurricular activity participation. Converging evidence suggests that adolescents’ participation in extracurricular activities is linked with higher academic achievement as well as other aspects of positive development (Eccles, Barber, Stone, & Hunt, 2003).
What to Expect When Expecting
The transition to parenthood can be an exciting time for couples, full of anticipation and hope for the future. In preparing to become parents, couples often focus on childbirth and childrearing. Hospitals, bookstores, and the Internet offer extensive resources on childbirth, breastfeeding, and infant care. However, less attention is given to the couple’s relationship, and the considerable changes it will experience when a child enters the family.