Adult siblings' perceptions of family life and loss: A pilot case study

The death of a child with a disability presents unique challenges for individual family members. Whereas parents have received much attention in terms of their needs and challenges, siblings have received less attention. Growing up with a child with a disability who subsequently dies has a profound impact. This paper used in-depth interviews to illuminate the experiences and perceptions of siblings in one family in which a child with cerebral palsy died. The 5 siblings were interviewed about their experiences of family life and their methods of coping during the terminal phases of illness and after their sister's death. Their views on friendships, growing up, vocational choices, their sister's contribution to their lives, and their adjustment to her death are illustrated. Implications for health professionals working with siblings and families are drawn in terms of adult siblings' coping responses and their need for mutual support.

Physical activity as a dimension of family life for lower primary school children

While questions of children's engagement in physical activity are being widely debated, little is known about how physical activity is valued and managed within families. This paper reports on qualitative data from a multi-method study on lower primary aged children. The focus of the broader study was to determine the relationships between young children's physical activity patterns, skills, and recreational interests, and their families' location, income, commitment to physical activity, and other responsibilities. Drawing on interviews with 12 purposively selected families, it was found that physical activity was highly valued across different family contexts, that children's engagement was shaped by their interests, friendships, and safety, and that issues such as income, family configuration, parental work commitments, and transport were potential barriers to further engagement.

Adjustment in mothers of children with Asperger syndrome: An application of the double ABCX model of family adjustment

The present study examined the applicability of the double ABCX model of family adjustment in explaining maternal adjustment to caring for a child diagnosed with Asperger syndrome. Forty-seven mothers completed questionnaires at a university clinic while their children were participating in an anxiety intervention. The children were aged between 10 and 12 years. Results of correlations showed that each of the model components was related to one or more domains of maternal adjustment in the direction predicted, with the exception of problem-focused coping. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that, after controlling for the effects of relevant demographics, stressor severity, pile-up of demands and coping were related to adjustment. Findings indicate the utility of the double ABCX model in guiding research into parental adjustment when caring for a child with Asperger syndrome. Limitations of the study and clinical implications are discussed.

INTERVENÇÕES LÚDICO-MUSICAIS FRENTE AO ESTRESSE DE CRIANÇAS ACOLHIDAS VÍTIMAS DE VIOLÊNCIA DOMÉSTICA

Este estudo investiga o nível de estresse de crianças acolhidas vítimas de violência doméstica, antes e após intervenções lúdico-musicais em grupo, através de pesquisa exploratória descritiva de caráter quali-quantitativo. Caracteriza inicialmente a população da instituição, de 100 acolhidos, seu perfil sócio-demográfico, tipo de violência e motivo do acolhimento. Aplica a seguir, a Escala de Stress Infantil, ESI em 20 sujeitos, selecionados por conveniência. Realiza em seguida, intervenção com oito desses 20 participantes, também selecionados por conveniência, em oito sessões semanais, baseadas em técnicas de musicoterapia, que incluem relaxamento e atividades lúdicas, com abordagem winnicottiana. Ao final, realiza pós-teste da ESI nos 20 participantes. Os dados do perfil sócio-demográfico dos 100 acolhidos revelam 65% por cento do sexo feminino e 35% do masculino; faixa etária média de 6,66; violências sofridas por: negligência (52%); violência física (19%); dificuldade financeira (15%); abandono (12%); abuso sexual (2%). No pré-teste da ESI, foi constatado estresse em 80% dos casos, com predomínio nas meninas, sendo que o pós-teste não mostrou diferença significativa (p=0,944). A análise da intervenção mostrou-se positiva, revelando boa aceitação dos participantes, que expressaram seus sentimentos e emoções num setting acolhedor que promoveu a criatividade e a espontaneidade por meio de jogos sonoros, com abertura para novas experiências e socialização, caracterizando-se como medida de promoção da saúde da criança acolhida, com redução de seu estresse.

Family resemblances? Ligand binding and activation of family A and B G-protein-coupled receptors

In April 2007, the Biochemical Society held a meeting to compare and contrast ligand binding and activation of Family A and B GPCRs (G-protein-coupled receptors). Being the largest class, Family A GPCRs usually receive the most attention, although a previous Biochemical Society meeting has focused on Family B GPCRs. The aim of the present meeting was to bring researchers of both families together in order to identify commonalities between the two. The present article introduces the proceedings of the meeting, briefly commenting on the focus of each of the following articles. ©The Authors.

To move or not to move - a question of family?

Relocation is one organizational phenomenon where the influence of family is prominent. Our paper thus uses it as a backdrop against which to study the work–family interface. In-depth qualitative analysis of 62 interviews with Royal Air Force personnel is used to complement the literature by demonstrating the impact on and the impact of the immediate family in relocation. The analysis provides evidence that relocation influences an employee's role as family member, other family members and the family as a whole. Findings also illustrate that families influence employees' relocation behaviour, organizational tenure and work focus. In summary, this paper supports the bidirectional nature of the work-family interface and also demonstrates that regardless of whether examining the work-to-family influence or the family-to-work influence the effects are not always negative.