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Published on: September 19, 2019
Demographic Predictors of Family Functioning and Its Change Over the First 5 Years Postpartum: Findings From the
Sinthu Vivekanandarajah1, Li Ming Wen, Louise Baur
1The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia (Dr Vivekanandarajah and Dr Baur); Health Promotion Service, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, Australia (Dr Wen); School of Public Health (Drs Wen and Baur) and Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health (Dr Baur), Health Promotion Unit, Sydney Local Health District; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia; and School of Public Health, Fudan University, and Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China (Dr Wen).
There are very few longitudinal studies examining family functioning in early childhood. This was a prospective cohort study to identify maternal sociodemographic factors associated with family functioning over the first 5 years postpartum, using data from the Healthy Beginnings Trial. Family functioning was measured using the General Functioning Subscale of the McMaster Family Assessment Device. A total of 667 first-time mothers participated, of which 369 remained at 5 years. Family functioning did not change significantly over the 5 years. Mothers being Australian born, being employed, and having a partner were predictors for healthy family functioning. Targeting support for immigrants, low-income and single-mother families may therefore improve family functioning.
There are very few longitudinal studies examining family functioning in early childhood. This was a prospective cohort study to identify maternal sociodemographic factors associated with family functioning over the first 5 years postpartum, using data from the Healthy Beginnings Trial. Family functioning was measured using the General Functioning Subscale of the McMaster Family Assessment Device. A total of 667 first-time mothers participated, of which 369 remained at 5 years. Family functioning did not change significantly over the 5 years. Mothers being Australian born, being employed, and having a partner were predictors for healthy family functioning. Targeting support for immigrants, low-income and single-mother families may therefore improve family functioning.
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Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative...

