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AbstractObjectiveThis study investigated how experiencing childhood family violence can affect aspects of adult sibling relationships.BackgroundEstablished evidence shows the long‐term effects of childhood adversity on several domains of adult lives. Few studies, however, have examined the impact that childhood family violence exposure has on sibling relationships later in adulthood. To address this gap, this study examined the latent class structure of childhood exposure to family violence. We also investigated whether and how latent class membership predicted aspects of adult sibling relationships, including geographical proximity, contact frequency, perceived closeness, similarity in outlook, and support exchange.MethodData for the study were obtained from 3921 adult participants in the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. Using the Bolck, Croon, and Hagenaars (BCH) approach of latent class analysis (LCA), we identified five latent classes (prevalence rate noted): No Exposure to Family Violence (75%), Exposed to Intersibling Violence (7%), Exposed to Overall Family Violence (4%), Exposed to Paternal and Interparental Violence (10%), and Exposed to Maternal and Interparental Violence (5%).ResultsChildhood family violence was a significant predictor of adult sibling relationships. Specifically, we found that the Intersibling Violence, Overall Family Violence, and Paternal and Interparental Violence classes showed lower levels of perceived emotional closeness and similarity in values/outlook with their siblings than the No Exposure to Violence class.ConclusionFindings suggest that childhood exposure to family violence may have long‐term negative effects on the emotional aspect of sibling relationships in adulthood.

AbstractObjectivesThis study examined (a) the effect of childhood maltreatment on the trajectory of emotional closeness with siblings and (b) whether and how a history of childhood maltreatment affects the longitudinal association between emotional closeness with siblings and older adults' psychological well‐being.BackgroundPrior studies have suggested that childhood maltreatment may have lasting adverse effects on later‐life relationships with family members of origin, which may include adult siblings.MethodsWe used three‐wave data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study. Latent growth curve modeling was conducted to examine the associations between perceived sibling closeness and the psychological well‐being of 4,736 older adults.ResultsOur findings showed that the trajectory of perceived sibling closeness differed between older adults who experienced childhood maltreatment and those who did not. Perceived sibling closeness was lower at baseline for those who experienced maltreatment and did not change over time, whereas perceived sibling closeness increased over time for those who did not experience maltreatment. Further, older adults who reported greater sibling closeness over time showed less of a decline in psychological well‐being, of which patterns did not differ between the maltreated and nonmaltreated groups.ConclusionChildhood maltreatment was found to have long‐term negative effects on the emotional quality of sibling relationships in late adulthood.ImplicationsMore research is needed to explore potential mechanisms that explain these lifelong associations, which will inform the development of timely interventions that can help reduce the long‐lasting influence of adverse childhood experiences on the dynamics and relationships in later‐life families.

AbstractObjective and BackgroundPrevious research shows the benefits of formal child support to children during their childhood; however, the long‐term effect of child support receipt on outcomes as adults has not been studied. This inquiry examines whether adults who received formal child support as children have different labor market outcomes than those who did not.MethodWe conducted two sets of analyses with complementary strengths to examine young adults' earnings and employment status. Our primary method exploited experimental variation in child support receipt among welfare participants, as part of the Wisconsin Child Support Demonstration Evaluation; the secondary analyses used propensity score matching to construct statistically equivalent comparison groups drawn from a broader population included in Wisconsin Court Record Data.ResultsAcross both studies, we found the receipt of child support was associated with a substantive and statistically significant increase in adult earnings; results for employment status were mixed.ConclusionFindings suggest that formal child support may disrupt patterns of intergenerational disadvantage, reducing the economic vulnerability of children living with resident mothers, and then improving those children's earnings as adults. In addition to contributing to our understanding of the relationship between childhood economic status and adult outcomes, the findings provide critical new information to policymakers assessing family policy.

Objectives. We developed a content review for state policies related to childhood obesity, and we have quantitatively described the predictors of enactment.

We describe sources and methods for state legislative research and provide access to the State Legislative Search Guide tool. State legislation creates and regulates chronic disease prevention interventions both directly through programs targeted to reduce the chronic disease burden and legislation affecting environments such as parks and trails that support health behaviors. Researching state legislation helps advocates, policy makers, researchers, and practitioners make informed recommendations to improve chronic disease prevention policies. Several online sources exist for state legislative information, including subscription databases that cover all 50 US states, single-state subscription databases, and public domain state legislative databases administered by each state. The State Legislative Search Guide, in full-length and condensed versions, uses free public domain databases to facilitate comparison of state legislation for all US states. Links to both versions are provided in the article. Legislative research tips on creating search phrases, searching bill content, bill tracking, and selecting databases and also a table of major subscription databases are provided.

Abstract

Objectives
Relying on the linked lives concept within the life course perspective, the current study examined the lifelong associations of sibling relationships and their effects on cognitive functioning in late adulthood.


Methods
Using data from the sibling cohort of the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, we estimated a mediational model, examining the effects of childhood sibling interactions and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), as proxy measures for the parent–child relationship, on cognitive functioning in late adulthood through adult sibling closeness and contact. Respondents' cognitive functioning was assessed using the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status-modified (TICS-m) when they were in their early 80s, on average. We conducted multilevel structural equation modeling.


Results
Positive childhood sibling interactions (e.g., hugging, helping) were associated with increased adult sibling closeness and contact, whereas higher cumulative ACEs were associated with decreased adult sibling closeness and contact. We found significant indirect associations: (a) positive sibling interactions during childhood were associated with more frequent sibling contact across respondents' mid-50s through early 70s, which was in turn associated with higher TICS-m scores in their early 80s; (b) higher cumulative ACEs were associated with less frequent sibling contact, which was in turn associated with lower TICS-m scores.


Discussion
The results suggest that childhood experiences within the family of origin may have lasting effects on adult sibling relationships and the cognitive functioning of older adults. This study highlights the potential cognitive benefits of frequent contact with adult siblings, underscoring the importance of nurturing sibling relationships throughout one's life.

Objective and BackgroundThe current study examines the types of childhood experiences with mothers (i.e., maternal abuse, affection, discipline) among caregivers of aging mothers and investigates whether membership in specific latent classes, particularly maternal maltreatment, is associated with psychological functioning among caregivers.MethodUsing data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS), we used the Bolck, Croon, and Hagenaars approach of latent class analysis to predict distal outcomes.ResultsWe identified four latent classes (prevalence rate noted): "Affectionate and authoritative" (65%), "affectionate and permissive" (11%), "emotionally abusive and neglectful" (8%), and "emotionally/physically abusive and authoritative" (16%). Caregivers in the "emotionally/physically abusive and authoritative" class endorsed high probabilities of both maternal affection and abuse and were most negatively affected across the three psychological functioning outcomes (i.e., self‐rated mental health, psychological distress, and psychological well‐being).ConclusionIn support of the life course perspective, our findings emphasized the importance of examining adult children caregivers' early life experiences with aging mothers and how those experiences can impact the psychological effects of caregiving.ImplicationsThis study suggests specific practice implications; for example, assessment tools for evaluating caregiver burden should consider life course factors, such as caregivers' childhood experiences with aging parents.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the short-term effectiveness of the Cash and Counseling model option of participant-directed home and community-based personal care service programs for Medicaideligible recipients with disabilities requiring long-term care. However, long-term experiences with participant-directed services have yet to be examined for these individuals. We addressed this gap in the literature through participatory action research and qualitative content analysis. Working together as coresearchers with members of the National Participant Network, a peer organization for people interested in or enrolled in participant-directed services, we interviewed 17 adults enrolled in one state's Cash and Counseling-based program. Participants' ages ranged from 40 to 83 years, had been enrolled for at least 5 years, and acted as their own representative within the program. Our major findings show (a) the program's flexibility allowed for adaptation to meet participants' changing needs over time and (b) that program attendants helped connect participants with community in multiple ways. In this article, we provide important policy and practice implications for participant-directed programs for people with disabilities.