Wk9 Pre-recorded

Question 1

What are 4 types of families?

Answer 1

Divorce
Same-sex families
Stepfamilies
Maternal employment

Question 2

What are 3 changes in UK families since 1999?

Answer 2

% of married partners have decreased

% cohabiting couples have increased

% families with only one child have increased

Question 3

How can divorce affect a child’s mental health?

Answer 3

Cause mental health problems

Cause low self-esteem

Question 4

What are social/academic child outcomes related to divorce?

Answer 4

Decline in academic
performance

Aggression and antisocial behaviour

Difficulties forming and sustaining relationships

Question 5

What other factors affect children’s outcomes after divorce?

Answer 5

Factors that were present before the divorce such as characteristics of the parents behaviours, parent mental health, and parent beliefs about relationships

Factors that were prompted by the divorce (money problems, parental mental health)

Question 6

How can factors prompted by the divorce affect a child’s outcomes/mental health?

Answer 6

The family may develop money problems and have to move to a smaller house in a poorer area which could affect the child’s mental health

Question 7

Does divorce have bad outcomes for most children?

Answer 7

No. There are risks of bad outcomes however the outcomes for most children are good.

Question 8

If families have high conflict before a divorce, is it better or worse for the parents to divorce?

Answer 8

Better. Outcomes will be better for the child if parents resolve the conflict through divorce.

Question 9

What attachment type do high conflict families lead to?

Answer 9

Insecure attachment relationships with parents

Question 10

How can parental stress influence their relationship with children?

Answer 10

Stressed parents cause parents to be more distant and show less emotional warmth. Less authoritative parenting.

Question 11

How can the age of the child affect the impact of divorce?

Answer 11

Younger children find it hard to understand. They may develop anxiety and blame themselves.

Question 12

Do younger or older children adjust better to stepfamilies?

Answer 12

Younger children have better adjustment.

Can be unsettling for older children who are used to things being a certain way.

Question 13

Do children adjust better with or without stepsiblings?

Answer 13

Children adjust better without stepsiblings (less competition for attention, less conflict)

Question 14

What type of parenting style helps children to adjust in stepfamilies?

Answer 14

Authoritative parenting style (warm but firm) leads to better adjustment

Question 15

Can the attitude of the noncustodial parent towards the step-parent affect the child?

Answer 15

Yes. If the non-custodial parent is hostile, the child may develop psychological and behavioural problems

Question 16

What are characteristics of step-father relationships?

Answer 16

Greater conflict
Less affection
Greater risk of psychological and behavioural problems

Question 17

What are characteristics of step-mother relationships?

Answer 17

Expected to be highly involved in parenting

The children may resent or reject stepmother’s authority

Question 18

How would an evolutionary perspective explain the negative step-father relationship?

Answer 18

Step-father’s aren’t as invested in the success of step-children because it doesn’t secure the survival of his own genes

Question 19

Who’s relationship might be adversely affected by stepfather relationships?

Answer 19

Mother-daughter relationships

Question 20

Do same-sex parent families have effects on developmental outcomes?

Answer 20

No. Other family characteristics and parental behaviours are more important than gender.

Question 21

Is it common for children to experience non-parental childcare care?

Answer 21

Yes. Mothers go to work so children experience childcare.

Question 22

Can maternal employment and childcare affect child outcomes/relationship with mother?

Answer 22

No. There is no evidence that children in childcare were less securely attached to mothers.

Question 23

What is poor quality childcare linked to?

Answer 23

Insecure attachments

Behavioural problems

Question 24

How can single working mothers affect their child?

Answer 24

Children may have higher self-esteem and greater aspirations for school and future careers.

Children may receive less support with school work/day to day problems.

Question 25

Can maternal employment affect child outcomes?

Answer 25

Depends on the context. Generally is okay as long as the childcare is good quality.

Question 26

How can part-time working mothers affect mother-child relationship?

Answer 26

Part-time work may improve mother’s mental health and responsiveness. Leads to a more secure attachment.

Question 27

Can divorce and remarriage put children at risk of negative outcomes?

Answer 27

Yes. However the outcomes are more influenced by characteristics of family members and contextual factors.