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Journal Article
Why do men tend to underutilize mental health services? One reason may be that men are less frequently referred to seek such services. Indeed, male friends and family members may be particularly unlikely to refer men to seek mental health services, as it means going against the traditional male gender role proscription of talking to other men about emotional issues. This study is the first to explore how men’s experiences of gender role conflict may be associated with an increased endorsement of stigmatization around mental health concerns and, subsequently, a decreased willingness to…
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Journal Article
Problem eating is common during childhood, though much of what is known is based on maternal reports. The current study aimed to compare mother and father reports of child mealtime difficulties and associated parenting, by surveying parents of normally developing 1.5–6-year olds. Two samples were procured: The first, 110 mothers and 109 fathers of children with or without problem eating; the second, 44 mother/father pairs that each reported on the same child. Mothers and fathers of problem eaters, and those of non-problem eaters, did not differ significantly on reports of child behavior,…
The birth of a child with a disability, or the discovery that a child has a disability, can have profound effects on the family. In “You are Not Alone,” Patricia McGill Smith offers the insights that she and others have gained through their own experience of having a child with a disability. In this article, we will provide additional information to support the life cycle, health, and well-being of the family when a member has a disability.It is with a great deal of humility that we are even attempting to describe what the future may hold for you and your family. On the one hand, we want…
The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) research that began in the 1990s has been replicated with different populations in a number of states including Minnesota with very similar results. ACEs assess patterns of behavior in family settings that are experienced by children that pose long-term risks for individual health, mental health and social problems. The search for effective prevention strategies has led to an array of programs that focus on different levels of influence. Fathers in specific roles serve as protective factors that have clear connections to risk factors identified in this…
This fact sheet explains South Dakota allows childhood immunization exemptions based on religious belief, but is only one of 31 that do not allow philosophical exemptions. Minimum immunization requirements for entering school or an early childhood program in South Dakota are then reviewed, and research on the effectiveness of vaccinations is shared. Charts are included that illustrate South Dakota and the nation had a 93% rate of polio immunization in 2012, South Dakota trails the surrounding States in any vaccination, and that South Dakota and Wyoming are tied for the lowest percentage of…
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Journal Article
Contemporary norms of fatherhood emphasize the dual demands of breadwinning and daily involvement in child care. Recent qualitative research suggests that working-class fathers find it difficult to meet these demands due to job instability and workplace inflexibility. Yet little quantitative research has examined how employment characteristics are related to fathers’ parenting stress, in comparison with mothers’. Analyses using data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 3,165) show that unemployment and workplace inflexibility, but not overwork, multiple jobs, odd jobs, and…
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Journal Article
Mixed methods were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fathers Offering Children Unfailing Support (FOCUS) program. FOCUS is a diversion program which is designed to offer an alternative to incarceration for fathers who are noncompliant with child support payments. Quantitative data were collected through a pretest/posttest design (n = 55) and qualitative data were collected through telephone interviews with FOCUS instructors (n = 2) and community key stakeholders (n = 5) and focus groups with FOCUS participants (n = 76). FOCUS appears to be benefiting children by increasing their…
This fact sheet discusses the characteristics of grandparent caregivers in the United States and then presents information the number and characteristics of grandparent caregivers in South Dakota. Findings indicate: there were 7 million grandparents in the United States living with their grandchildren, and 2.7 million (39%) were responsible for caring for their grandchildren; there were 11,217 South Dakota grandparents living with their grandchildren, and 5,311 (47%) were responsible for caring for their grandchildren; of grandparents responsible for their grandchildren in South Dakota, 66%…
This fact sheet describes the changes and characteristics of households and families in South Dakota from 1980 to 2010. Information indicates South Dakota has a slightly higher percentage of married couple families than the United States (50% vs 48%). The State also has a slightly higher percentage of male headed families with their own children under age 18 (3% vs 2%). The United States has a slightly higher percentage of female and male headed families, and female headed families with own children under age 18 (13% vs 10%). Historical data indicates the number of female- or male-headed…
This fact sheet focuses on the incidence of infant mortality in the United States and in South Dakota and considers six strategies for lowering the rate. It begins by explaining the three major causes of infant mortality are congenital malformations, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome. The higher rate of infant mortality in South Dakota is noted and the following recommendations are made to reduce the infant mortality rate: improve access to early, comprehensive prenatal care; promote awareness and implementation of safe sleep practices; develop community-based systems of…
