Systematic review of family and pediatric constipation: An overlooked piece of the puzzle.

The objective of this review is to summarize pertinent literature looking at family dynamics and/or adherence to treatment in pediatric functional constipation. A structured systematic literature search was conducted on MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science core collection libraries from the years 2000 to 2023 using specific search terms: constipation, treatment adherence, family dynamics, parenting style, and pediatrics. Seventy-one publications were identified and included for review. After screening based on alignment to the review, 20 publications remained. These publications were placed into three categories depending on their intent and findings: (1) recommendations to further increase adherence, (2) studies analyzing factors of adherence, and (3) studies stating a need for a better understanding of family factors. A future area of research is identifying the associations between family factors on adherence to constipation treatment regimens. Results from such studies would increase the amount of positive treatment outcomes and decrease unnecessary healthcare costs.

Childhood Environmental Instabilities and Their Behavioral Implications: A Machine Learning Approach to Studying Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) include a range of abusive, neglectful, and dysfunctional household behaviors that are strongly associated with long-term health problems, mental health conditions, and societal difficulties. The study aims to uncover significant factors influencing ACEs in children aged 0-17 years and to propose a predictive model that can be used to forecast the likelihood of ACEs in children. Machine learning models are applied to identify and analyze the relationships between several predictors and the occurrence of ACEs. Key performance metrics such as AUC, F1 score, recall, and precision are used to evaluate the predictive strength of different factors on ACEs. Family structures, especially non-traditional forms such as single parenting, and the frequency of relocating to a new address are determined as key predictors of ACEs. The final model, a neural network, achieved an AUC of 0.788, a precision score of 0.683, and a recall of 0.707, indicating its effectiveness in accurately identifying ACE cases. The model's ROC and PR curves showed a high true positive rate for detecting children with two or more ACEs while also pointing to difficulties in classifying single ACE instances accurately. Furthermore, our analysis revealed the intricate relationship between the frequency of relocation and other predictive factors. The findings highlight the importance of familial and residential stability in children's lives, with substantial implications for child welfare policies and interventions. The study emphasizes the need for targeted educational and healthcare support to promote the well-being and resilience of at-risk children.

Lifestyle Dimensions of Public Safety Personnel Families: There's No Life Like It.

PURPOSE: The nature and cumulative occupational demands imposed on families of public safety personnel (PSP) are substantial, in many cases non-negotiable, and distinct from the general population accentuating risk factors for family well-being. Despite this reality, the contributions of PSP families are not well understood, and a conceptual framework is needed. The aim of this paper is to summarize contextual factors (lifestyle dimensions) that shape the lives of PSP families; factors supported in the existing, albeit limited, body of research. METHODS: Grounded in the interpretive/constructivist paradigm, a synthesis was central to understanding the lived experiences of PSP families. An interdisciplinary research team engaged in an iterative process of framework analysis to capture the variability and complexity of PSP family life and distilled the overarching lifestyle dimensions. RESULTS: Three lifestyle dimensions-logistics, risks, and identities-emerged from contextual factors and represent distinct aspects of PSP family life. PSP families play a crucial role in that their capacity to accommodate the lifestyle dimensions (i.e., logistics, risks, and identities), without which the PSP could not meet the demands of the profession. CONCLUSION: Promoting awareness of these dimensions and their consequent demands underscores the cumulative demands that put PSP families at risk. Responses from governments, public safety organizations, and communities are required to help PSP families manage non-negotiable elements of the public safety occupation that spill over into family life over which they have no control.

Association Between Egalitarian Gender Attitudes and Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Marriage: Findings from a National Representative Survey.

Egalitarian gender attitudes are linked to increased support for same-sex marriage, with previous studies mainly focusing on Western countries. Limited existing research from Asian countries often relied on non-representative, convenient samples. Taiwan, the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2019, offers a valuable context. Since surveys before 2020 lacked questions on attitudes toward same-sex marriage, we utilized the 2020 PSFD data for a cross-sectional analysis. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between gender attitudes (assessed through six questions) and attitudes toward same-sex marriage, along with examining the moderation effects of socio-demographic variables. The results revealed significant associations between embracing egalitarian gender attitudes and increased support for same-sex marriage (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] ranged from 1.34 to 2.08, 95% CI = [1.15, 2.45]). Moderation analysis indicated that this connection appeared to be more pronounced among younger individuals, those who were not currently married, and those with higher educational attainment. Individuals who are older, less educated, or married and hold negative views on gender equality should be targeted for efforts to enhance their support for same-sex marriage. Advocating for gender equality aligns with principles of equality, nondiscrimination, and recognizing fundamental rights for all, irrespective of sexual orientation.

Understanding the Dynamics: A Comprehensive Review of Family Therapy's Impact on Expressed Emotions in Schizophrenia Patients.

This comprehensive review examines the impact of family therapy on expressed emotions (EE) within the context of psychiatric disorders. EE, characterized by high levels of criticism, hostility, or emotional over-involvement, have been consistently linked to poorer treatment outcomes and increased severity of psychiatric symptoms. The review explores various family therapy approaches and their effectiveness in reducing high EE levels in families of psychiatric patients. It synthesizes existing literature to highlight the mechanisms underlying the changes in EE, such as modifying communication patterns and enhancing family cohesion. Additionally, the review discusses the implications for clinical practice, emphasizing the importance of integrating family therapy into psychiatric treatment plans and providing psychoeducation to empower families to manage emotions effectively. Future research directions are also outlined, including investigating the long-term sustainability of changes brought about by family therapy and exploring cultural considerations in therapeutic approaches. Overall, the review underscores the pivotal role of family therapy in addressing EE and promoting recovery and resilience in psychiatric patients and their families.

Childcare sharing and family happiness: analyzing parental and child well-being in the actor-partner interdependence model.

Introduction: The exploration of the relationship between parental and child happiness, particularly in the context of shared childcare responsibilities, has not been examined in Korean families. Methods: Using a two-wave longitudinal design and data from 1,403 families from the Panel Study on Korean Children, this study employed the actor-partner interdependence model to examine the dynamics of childcare sharing between mothers and fathers in South Korea. Results: Mothers' childcare sharing was found to have no significant impact on their own and their partner's happiness, reflecting traditional gender norms that undervalue mothers' contributions. In contrast, fathers' childcare sharing had a positive impact on their own and their spouse's happiness, suggesting a growing recognition of fathers' involvement. Furthermore, fathers' active participation in childcare was found to promote their children's happiness through their own happiness. Discussion: This study reflects the complexity of evolving family roles and the covert persistence of traditional gender roles in modern Korean parenting. It suggests the importance of work and family policies that support changes in family dynamics by providing a more nuanced understanding of how changing family roles and responsibilities can enhance overall family well-being.

The Impact of Recurrent Epistaxis on the Quality of Life of Children and the Functioning of Their Families.

Introduction Epistaxis, or nosebleeds, is a common pediatric emergency, impacting their quality of life (QoL). Existing research on epistaxis has predominantly focused on clinical aspects, overlooking its broader impact on the quality of life of affected children and the functioning of their families. This study seeks to fill that gap by assessing the impact of recurrent epistaxis on children's QoL, family dynamics, and parental stress in Saudi Arabia's Eastern region. Methods A survey was conducted involving 168 parents of children with recurrent epistaxis, using the Pediatric Quality of Life InventoryTM (PedsQL 4.0TM) Short Form (SF) for QoL assessment across different age groups, the PedsQL 2.0 Family Impact Module to evaluate the effect of the child's health on family dynamics, and a custom questionnaire for gathering sociodemographic and health-related information. Better QoL and family functioning were indicated by higher scores. Results Recurrent epistaxis was more frequent (>4 times per year) in 58.9% of cases, with unknown causes in 72%. A total of 116 (69%) of the children never needed medical intervention for epistaxis and 52 (31%) visited ER 1-2 times. The lowest scores for both children and parents were in the emotional functioning domains (77.9 and 78.2, respectively). In the study, both parents and children who had no history of ER visits exhibited significantly higher quality of life (QoL) scores compared to those who did, with parents reporting 83.7% versus 77.2% (P=.022), and children showing 84.6% versus 79.9% (P=.049), respectively. Parents of older children, ages 13-18 years, reported a higher Quality of Life (QoL) at 83.9%, compared to those with younger children, ages 2-4 years, who reported a QoL of 57.3% (P=.003). Conclusion The overall QoL scores of families of children with recurrent epistaxis were relatively high, indicating a variable and limited general impact. Significantly higher QoL was observed in families of older children and those without ER visits.

Parenting styles and psychological effects on children with alopecia areata: exploring family dynamics, anxiety, and depression.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disease that develops due to inflammation and causes sudden hair loss. Ithas been observed that family circumstances may contribute to the development of AA. This study aims to assessthe relationship between the development of alopecia areata in children, family functions, and depression andanxiety levels in their parents.Thirty-nine participants diagnosed with AA and 41 healthy controls (HC), agedbetween 8 and 18 years, and their parents participated in the study. The assessment of the children included thecompletion of a socio-demographic data form, the Parenting Style Scale (PSS), and the Revised Children's Anxietyand Depression Scale (RCADS). The parents provided information on a sociodemographic form, the BeckDepression Inventory (BDI), and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). The children in the control group scoredsignificantly higher on the PSS acceptance/ involvement subscale than those with AA. In the AA group, the numberof authoritative and indulgent (PSS) families was statistically significantly lower than that of the families in the HC,and the number of neglectful families was statistically significantly higher than those of the control group. Totalanxiety and depression t scores (RCADS) were statistically significantly higher in the AA children than in theHC. Our study demonstrates the importance of considering familial factors and parental mental health tounderstand and address alopecia areata in children. Our findings support the psychosomatic component of AA.Implementing comprehensive treatment strategies that target psychological well-being and family dynamics couldprove crucial.

The association between family dynamics and Positive Youth Development in secondary education students.

INTRODUCTION: The Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework is a strengths-based approach to adolescence that states that adolescents will thrive if nurtured by the right developmental assets. The family is one of the most important developmental assets, but studies about the relationship between family dynamics and the overall PYD of adolescents are scarce. OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to examine the associations between five family dynamics indicators and PYD, while taking into account the role of gender. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with a representative sample of adolescents from the city of Huelva, Spain (n = 1,036). Data were collected in 14 randomly selected secondary education schools. A Structural Equation Model (SEM) was tested to determine the effect of family dynamics on PYD, both for the whole sample and within each gender. RESULTS: The SEM for the whole sample showed a positive effect of the family dynamics factor on the PYD factor, explaining 51.8% of its variance. The indicators of satisfaction with the relationship with the mother, satisfaction with the relationship with the father, frequency of engaging in joint family activities on weekends, and frequency of sharing daily occurrences at home showed factor loadings over 0.50, while the indicator of frequency of contribution to household chores had the lowest loading. The family dynamics factor in the model with the subsample of girls explained 54.8% of the variance in PYD, while in the SEM with the subsample of boys this factor explained 47.6% of it. Additionally, among girls, the relative influence of satisfaction in the relationship with the parents, as well as of frequently discussing the day at home, is higher than among boys. CONCLUSION: These results highlight a strong association between family dynamics indicators and PYD among adolescents and indicate that this relationship is stronger for girls than for boys. Intersectoral policies enhancing improvements in family dynamics (e.g., facilitating the practice of joint family activities on weekends) may have a relevant impact on PYD.

Parenting Amid Shadows: Exploring the Child-Rearing Experiences of Wives of Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder.

INTRODUCTION: The pervasive impact of alcohol use disorder (AUD) within families, particularly on parenting roles in Kerala, India, necessitates an in-depth exploration. This study aims to uncover the unique challenges and coping strategies employed by wives of individuals with AUD against a backdrop of societal stigma and economic hardship. METHODOLOGY: This study, employing a qualitative narrative research design, delves into the experiences of 30 wives of men with AUD in Kerala. The study delves into the complexities of navigating parenting responsibilities amid challenges related to AUD, employing in-depth interviews with the aid of a semi-structured interview guide conducted in Malayalam.​​​​​ The researchers used narrative analysis to extract the themes related to coping mechanisms, resilience, and the impact on children's psychological health. RESULTS: The study highlights significant emotional and social burdens on wives, including solo parenting, financial strain, and social stigma. Despite these challenges, the resilience and adaptive strategies of these women stand out, with extended family support, community resources, and personal beliefs playing crucial roles in their coping mechanisms. The study points out variations in coping strategies across different socio-economic and educational backgrounds. IMPLICATIONS: The findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive support systems sensitive to the socio-demographic differences among families affected by AUD. Tailored interventions that enhance access to professional support, foster community solidarity, and provide economic assistance are critical. Moreover, efforts to reduce stigma and promote understanding are essential for improving the psychological health and overall quality of life of these families.

Grandparent Caregivers Lived Experiences and Resource Needs/Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This project examined the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on grandparent caregivers, grandchildren, family dynamics, and resources to mitigate and navigate crises. Phone interviews were conducted with 24 grandparent caregivers using a semi-structured interview guide. Caregivers explained that the pandemic had impacted them and their grandchildren by increasing emotional distress, social isolation, financial difficulties, and challenges with education. Helpful resources consisted of financial support, respite care, and support for grandchildren. Thus, there is a need to provide grandparent caregivers with the same resources that foster care providers receive - particularly when faced with challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The history of families at-risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: what are the impacts of genetic counseling and testing?

Introduction: Cancer Genetic Counseling (CGC) and genetic testing (GT) assume a paramount role for hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome families. We assessed the effects of CGC and GT on women affected by cancer who are at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer predisposition syndrome (HBOC). Methods: This study encompasses four time points: before the CGC session, after the CGC session when blood is drawn for GT, after disclosure of GT results, and six months following disclosure of GT results. The impacts of CGC and GT were assessed using psychosocial questionnaires. Additionally, a pedigree, genogram, and ecomap were constructed through a semistructured interview. Results: A total of sixty women were included in the study. Most participants considered their perception of cancer risk to be equivalent to that of the general population, even among those with pathogenic variants. An increased perception of breast and ovarian cancer risks was associated with a heightened inclination toward religious engagement as a coping mechanism. Patients carrying variants of uncertain significance expressed greater concerns about developing another cancer compared to those who had BRCA1 and BRCA2 wild type or pathogenic variants. Qualitative analysis of the genograms and ecomaps demonstrated that the CGC/GT processes facilitate communication within families. The genogram analyses revealed the impact of CGC and GT processes on families at risk for hereditary cancer. Changes in some family relationships were observed, and an improvement in communication was noted following the GT process. Discussion: These findings can assist healthcare professionals considering a personalized approaches in clinical practice.

Older Adults' and Family Caregivers' Technological Arrangements on Risk of Institutionalization.

Internet-enabled resources could facilitate older adults' ability to live in the community longer, but studies have often overlooked how family caregivers utilize the internet to assist older care recipients. We examined whether different family-level arrangements of internet use may affect the risk of institutionalization among older adults. Using the National Health and Aging Trends Study (2015-2020) and National Study on Caregiving (2015), we estimated multinominal logistic regression and inverse-probability weighted Cox proportional hazard models to investigate the determinants of technological arrangements in 2015 (i.e., no internet use, only caregiver use, only care recipient use, both caregiver and care recipient internet use) and how they may affect the risk of moving to an assisted living or nursing facility between 2015 and 2020. The most prevalent technological arrangement in 2015 was the one where neither the care recipient nor their caregiver reported using the internet. Relatively disadvantaged older care recipients (e.g., people of color, fewer years of education, less income, worse cognitive functioning) and caregivers (e.g., older, fewer years of education) were more likely to be in a non-internet use arrangement. Compared to older adults in other categories, older adults who were internet users and had a family caregiver who also used the internet in their caregiving tasks had a much lower risk of relocation during the study period. Findings suggest that digital interventions aimed at serving the older adult population should assess the gap in access and utilization at a family level and consider the role of older adults' social partners.

Birth-order effects on risk taking are limited to the family environment.

Why is the empirical evidence for birth-order effects on human psychology so inconsistent? In contrast to the influential view that competitive dynamics among siblings permanently shape a person's personality, we find evidence that these effects are limited to the family environment. We tested this context-specific learning hypothesis in the domain of risk taking, using two large survey datasets from Germany (SOEP, n = 19,994) and the United States (NLSCYA, n = 29,627) to examine birth-order effects on risk-taking propensity across a wide age range. Specification-curve analyses of a sample of 49,621 observations showed that birth-order effects are prevalent in children aged 10-13 years, but that they decline with age and disappear by middle adulthood. The methodological approach shows the effect is robust. We thus replicate and extend previous work in which we showed no birth-order effects on adult risk taking. We conclude that family dynamics cause birth-order effects on risk taking but that these effects fade as siblings transition out of the home.

Analysis of the Functioning of Families of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Psychometric Study of the Family APGAR Scale.

Normalised family functioning is a predictor of individual well-being. The diagnosis of a family member with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can alter the ordinary dynamics of family systems, having a variable impact on family functioning. This research employed a non-probability convenience sampling method to gather a sample of 327 families with and without children diagnosed with ASD. This study has dual objectives: to analyse the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Family APGAR Scale and to compare family functioning in families with and without a child with ASD. The results reveal several favourable psychometric properties in the application of the APGAR scale within families of children with ASD. The use of the Family APGAR Scale in the selected sample confirms that the functioning of families with children with ASD can be categorized as mildly dysfunctional, attributed to the inherent challenges in caring for and raising a child with ASD. The presence of ASD within family systems presents a challenge to typical family functioning, with significant differences observed between families with and without children with ASD. This underscores the necessity of implementing effective intervention programs based on empirical evidence to improve the quality of life for individuals with ASD and their families.

The family dynamics of children on the streets of Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria.

BACKGROUND:  Children roaming the streets estimated at 1 in 10 by a 2021 United Nation Children's Funds (UNICEF) report is a growing problem, in cities of lower- and middle-income African countries. Studies of street children with no family ties abound, but there is a paucity of studies on children on the street who exist within families and return home daily. We explored the family dynamics of children on the streets of Ibadan, emphasising family structure, resources and relationships. METHODS:  Using an exploratory design based on a qualitative approach 53 participants were interviewed, including children on the streets, parental figures, child-welfare officers and street shop owners. Participants were selected from streets in the five urban local government areas of Ibadan, Nigeria. Recorded data were transcribed, and framework analysis was performed. RESULTS:  The family dynamics included family structural problems, poor family resources and poor parent-child relationships. The family structural problems included: broken homes, large families and ambivalence around polygamy as subthemes. Family resources comprised: poor economic resources, poor social resources, educational challenges, cultural ambivalence and spiritual backdrops. The family relationships patterns included: poor adaptability, economic-oriented partnership, poor growth support, poor emotional connection and poor family bonding. CONCLUSION:  The dynamics driving a family's choice for child streetism in Ibadan, mostly to hawk, are devaluation of family life, parenting irresponsibility, and poor filial relationship, underscored by economic constraints and socio-cultural decadence. The results of this research buttress the need for family-level interventions to forestall the escalating phenomenon of child streetism in Ibadan, Nigeria.Contribution: This research highlights the family dynamics of children on the streets, and buttresses family-level interventions are necessary to forestall escalating child-streetism in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Keeping kin close? Geographies of family networks by race and income, 1981-2017.

Objective: This study examined changes in geographic proximity to family members among race and income groups in the United States from 1981 to 2017. Background: Close geographic proximity to family members can facilitate mutual support and strengthen family bonds. Some scholars argue that institutional sources of support have replaced many core family functions, which might mean that households are likely to live increasingly farther away from family. Advancing technology and changing labor market opportunities might reinforce this pattern. Yet, the ongoing cultural and emotional salience of family might curtail the effects of these factors on the increasing distance to family. Method: We conducted a quantitative analysis of longitudinal data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID). We utilized the multigenerational structure of the PSID and restricted-use geocodes to map kin proximity at every interview from 1981 to 2017. We cross-classified our sample by race and income, focusing on Black and White respondents across income quartiles (n = 171,501 person-periods). Results: High-income White respondents showed the greatest increases in distance from kin over time, whereas proximity to kin among other race-income groups was relatively stable. Conclusion: Proximate kin has become less central in the lives of high-income White households over time, whereas close proximity to kin has been the norm over time for other racial and income groups. These results have implications for racial and income differences in kin relations over time.

Unraveling the link between family of origin and parental responsiveness toward own child.

This study investigates the influence of family of origin on parental responsiveness toward own child, taking into account gender differences. A total of 110 triads of mothers, fathers, and their first child aged 6-10 months participated in the standardized Free Play procedure. Parental responsiveness was assessed through observational measures (using Ainsworth procedure) and self-reported scales (Parental Responsiveness Scale). Results revealed correlations between objectively assessed responsiveness and self-reported parental styles in the family of origin, separately for mothers and fathers. Among mothers having daughters, parental sensitivity (an important aspect of observationally measured responsiveness) was positively correlated with having had a liberal loving mother and a negative correlation with an autocratic mother. Cooperation (another aspect of observationally measured responsiveness) was correlated positively with having had a liberal loving mother. Meanwhile, having a liberal unloving mother predicted lover sensitivity and cooperation. Similar correlations were not observed for mothers having sons. Among fathers having daughters, both aspects of observed responsiveness were positively correlated with having had a democratic father and negatively with autocratic or liberal unloving parents. Moreover, having a liberal unloving father and autocratic mother predicted their lower responsiveness toward daughters. These findings highlight the role of family dynamics in shaping parental responsiveness and emphasize the importance of understanding these dynamics in promoting responsive parenting.

Factors Associated with Parenting Adaptability in Facing the First COVID-19 Lockdown: A Study on Portuguese Parents.

Parenting was drastically challenged during the COVID-19 pandemic as families complied with the consequent containment for sanitary and social reasons. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationships among self-report measures (co-parenting, emotional experience and parental support network) and the employment condition (teleworking parents and at-home parents with governmental leave aid) that might be associated with the everyday life change, and their contribution towards family's daily routines during the first COVID-19 lockdown. A sample of 878 parents (90.2% mothers), aged from 21 to 61 years (39.58 ± 6.08), and mainly of Portuguese nationality (97.2%), was gathered through an online survey. Participants completed sociodemographic data and answered questions related to four positive parenting dimensions (Daily routines, Co-parenting, Emotional experience, and Support network) rating on a five-point Likert scale how much their behavior changed during the lockdown. Descriptive statistics and multilinear regression models were tested as well as a mediation model. The results showed that Emotional experience, Co-parenting, and Support network played an important role in family Daily routines, reinforcing that the first COVID-19 lockdown was lived differently by parents according to their employment conditions. Furthermore, the pathways model of factors associated with parental adaptability is suggestive that the direct effect of Emotional experience on Daily routines is partially mediated by Co-parenting and Support network. In line with previous studies on the complexity and dynamic ecology of parenting, the reported indicators showcase the interrelated facets of parenting and its corresponding support needs. Further, clear indicators for the design of family support interventions and family resilience enhancement to stressor events are discussed.

Family Dynamics and Functioning of Adolescents from Two-Child and One-Child Families in China.

Background: To promote the balanced development with the population, China has phased out a one-child policy in 2016, and a two-child policy was launched, which has led to dramatic changes in family structure. The transition could be a huge challenge for adolescents who are in a period of psychological vulnerability. Purpose: This study explored the differences and predictors of family dynamics and functioning between two-child and one-child families in the context of China's two-child policy. Methods: We used the Self-rating scale of Systemic Family Dynamics (SSFD) and Family Assessment Device-General Functioning (FAD-GF) to investigate the family dynamics, family functioning, and family structure and status of 3289 adolescents under the background of China's two-child policy. Results: Results revealed that the mean scores for family atmosphere, personalization, disease concept, overall family dynamics, and family functioning health rate of the one-child families were higher than those of the two-child families. Parental marital status, mother's education, annual household income, and family economic satisfaction in two-child and one-child families was positively correlated with family dynamics and functioning, but not significantly associated with living style, parental age and employment. Family financial satisfaction, parental marital status, and distress in the family were predictors of family dynamics and functioning, and parental preference was also an important factor in two-child families. Conclusion: The findings suggest family atmosphere, personality, disease concept, family dynamics, and family functioning of the one-child families were better than those of the two-child families. Unlike one-child families, parental preference is an important predictor of family dynamics and functioning in two child families. This study increases our understanding of adolescents psychological problems during family structure transitions under the background of fertility policy, providing psychologists with more evidence-based evidence and intervention directions.