Up to now, leisure research on the parent-peer orientation of juveniles primarily has focussed on adolescents. The purpose of this study is to investigate the degree to which pre-adolescents as well as adolescents associate with parents and peers in their leisure time. Based on recent theoretical conceptions of childhood sociologists, a questionnaire was designed for children and young teens aged ten to fifteen years. A total of 927 Dutch juveniles from different social classes participated in the current study. A leisure kids typology was constructed by means of Principal Components Analysis for categorical data (PRINCALS). It was found that ten to twelve year old children from higher social classes were family kids. They spend a substantial part of their leisure time with parents and siblings. Fourteen and fifteen year old boys, especially those from higher social classes, strongly focussed on peer groups, whereas girls of the same age had a salient preference for dyadic friendships. Questions on parental attitude towards leisure activities and choice of friends showed that ten to twelve year olds, specially those from higher social classes, experienced most parental interference in their leisure activities. Teenage girls from lower social classes encountered most parental attention concerning peer contacts. Our findings partially support theoretical conceptions regarding the parent-peer orientation of children and teens, but add some important nuances to these general perspectives.
This study explored what contributes to successful family foster care from the perspective of young people by asking them about their most positive memory of family foster care. Forty-four Dutch adolescents and young adults (aged 16–28) participated in this study and shared their most positive memory in a short interview. Their answers were qualitatively analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis, supplemented with an analysis of the structure of their memories. The thematic analysis resulted in the themes Belongingness, Receiving support, Normal family life, It is better than before, and Seeing yourself grow. The structural analysis showed that young people both shared memories related to specific events, as well as memories that portrayed how they felt for a prolonged period of time. In addition, young people were inclined to share negative memories alongside the positive memories. These results highlight that, in order to build a sense of belonging, it is important that of foster parents create a normal family environment for foster children and provide continuous support. Moreover, the negative memories shared by participants are discussed in light of a bias resulting from earlier traumatic experiences. Accepted Version. Published Version Article at Sage: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1359104520978691
The Challenge Me intervention aimed to indirectly involve parents in a school-based intervention, by challenging primary school children to perform physical activity (PA) and nutrition-related activities with their parents. The aim of this study is to gain insight in whether this was a feasible strategy to engage children and parents, especially those of vulnerable populations. An exploratory cross-sectional study design was applied. Four primary schools implemented the intervention. Data consisted of challenges completed (intervention posters) and child and family characteristics (questionnaires and anthropometric measurements). Associations between challenges performed and child and family characteristics were assessed using linear regression analysis. Of the 226 study participants, 100% performed at least one challenge, and 93% performed at least one challenge involving parents. Children who performed more PA challenges were often younger, a sports club member, lived in higher socioeconomic status neighbourhoods, of Western ethnicity and from larger families. Regarding nutrition challenges involving parents, younger children performed more challenges. There was no difference in intervention engagement regarding gender, weight status, PA preference, healthy nutrition preference, or the Family PA and Family Nutrition Climate. Challenge Me has potential in involving parents in a school-based intervention. However, certain characteristics were associated with higher involvement
