Introduction to Family and Relationship Issues
Welcome to our Family and Relationship Issues topic center. Whoever we are, we are all very much shaped by those who raised us, our parents and/or caregivers. We are the product of human relationships, and most of us spend our days within the context of relationships with other people. We need other people to be close to us in our lives, or we tend to get sick. Who we are is very much a function of where we have come from, and who we surround ourselves with.
Despite their vital importance in our lives, relationships can be very difficult to manage. We expect our intimate partners to provide for many of our needs, but often find that differing expectations, frustration, and a need to be right create conditions for conflict and erosion of intimacy. Angels though they may be, our children test us for weaknesses and we don't always pass. Our adult parents grow older and require care, placing a burden on our other responsibilities. A diverse set of communicati...More
News Articles
AHA News: Pandemic Pods Offer Social Relief, But There Are Risks
"There's maybe a false sense of security with these pod arrangements," said Melissa Hawkins, director of the Public Health Scholars Program at American University in Washington, D.C. That's a serious issue as people grow eager for more contact, but vaccinations are months away for most. More...
Saying 'I Understand' Makes a Real Difference, Study Shows
Showing support for a person's upset over something they've experienced can actually help boost their positive feelings, new research shows. More...
Caring for Elderly Loved Ones During a Holiday Lockdown
While everyone is dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults may feel the loss of holiday traditions the most. More...
Give Your Family the Gift of Regular Exercise
Physical activity could be the best gift to give your family this holiday season. And the American Heart Association (AHA) has some suggestions on how to do that. More...
Poll: 1 in 3 Parents Pick Holiday Gathering Over COVID Safety
In a new nationwide poll of 1,443 parents, about one in three said the benefits of gathering with families for the holidays outweighed the risk of spreading the virus. More...
24 MoreCollege Kid Coming Home for Thanksgiving? Here's How to Keep Your Family Safe
As college students prepare to leave their campuses for Thanksgiving or study remotely for the rest of the semester, families should consider their risks and work to reduce them, according to an infectious disease expert. More...
AHA News: Despite the Pandemic, Keep Social Connections Strong This Holiday Season
As the pandemic crashes into the holidays, fewer of us may be getting together with family and friends to celebrate the season. But the bonds of friendship remain key to emotional and physical health. More...
Think 'Virtual' for Family Gatherings During the Holidays
Virtual gatherings are the best choice for family get-togethers this holiday season, an expert says. More...
When Your Spouse Gripes About Aging, It Might Harm Your Health
In older couples, one spouse's negative thoughts about aging can affect the other spouse's health, a new study indicates. More...
Spouses Share a Lot – Including Heart Health, Study Shows
Many married couples or domestic partners share a lot: the same house, bills, pets and maybe children. A new study found they often also share the same behaviors and risk factors that can lead to heart disease. More...
Kids' Hospitalizations Accompany Rising Unemployment Rates: Study
COVID-19 has led to widespread job loss in the United States. And now a new study reports that when unemployment rates rise, so do hospitalizations of children. More...
Most American Families Facing Financial Danger During Pandemic: Poll
More than 60% of households with children in the United States have struggled with serious financial problems during the coronavirus pandemic, a new poll shows. More...
COVID Conflicts Are Putting Big Strains on Relationships
Both sides think they're right. And that's led to friction and frustration among friends and families. More...
Why Some Gifts Are Better-Received Than Others
Those who received a gift that was intended to save them money were more likely to say it made them feel embarrassed, ashamed and bad, compared to those who received a time-saving gift. More...
When Parents, Grandparents Don't Agree on Childrearing Choices
Disagreements between parents and grandparents over parenting choices like discipline, meals and TV time can strain family relationships, a new poll finds. More...
U.S. Grandparents Are Raising Millions of Kids, and It's Tough
Nearly 3 million children in the United States are being raised by grandparents, and life has placed these kids on a rocky road toward adulthood, a new study reports. More...
Child Care Stresses, Hunger Are Harming U.S. Families During Pandemic
With everyday life turned upside down, efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are taking a toll on the well-being and health of American families, a new poll reveals. More...
Many U.S. Homes Too Cramped to Stop COVID-19's Spread
People with COVID-19 are told to keep their distance from family members to protect them from infection. But a new study finds that one-fifth of U.S. homes are too small for that to happen. More...
With Pandemic-Related Stress, Abuse Against Kids Can Surge
Stress from social distancing and isolation to stop the spread of COVID-19 can lead to increased family violence at home, Tulane University experts say. More...
Love During Lockdown: Survey Shows How Couples Have Coped
As U.S. states issued stay-at-home orders in March and April, one of many questions was how couples would fare under lockdown together. Now a new survey offers an initial snapshot: some more arguments, regular declarations of love, and a good dose of same-old, same-old. More...
With Nursing Homes on Lockdown, Stay Connected With Loved Ones
Social restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic can be especially hard for people who can't visit loved ones with Alzheimer's disease who are in nursing homes. More...
AHA News: Instead of a Tie, Think About Healthy Gifts and Gratitude for Father's Day
In this year of social distancing and economic uncertainty, dad probably doesn't need a new tie for Father's Day. Instead, it might be time to mark the occasion with creativity – and a little push in a healthy direction. More...
Pandemic Lockdown Increases Child Abuse Risk
Hunkering down during the coronavirus pandemic has stressed families and raised the risk for child abuse, Penn State researchers report. More...
Keeping Harmony in the Family During Coronavirus Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has families spending plenty of "quality time" together, but living under the same roof 24 hours a day can tax relationships, an expert in child development says. More...
AHA News: If You Hunker Down Against Coronavirus, Don't Stop Reaching Out, Experts Say
"When there's a time of anxiety, that is not a time to pull back from connectedness," said Dr. Franklin Watkins, associate professor in geriatric medicine at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. "That's a time that we actually need to lean into social connectedness and lean into our family members and our friends and acquaintances." More...
12 Weeks of Paid Maternity Leave Benefits Everyone: Study
The argument against paid maternity leave in the United States often focuses on the cost, but a new study suggests that more paid leave would not only be beneficial for families, but also for society. More...
Who's Caring for Family Caregivers? 1 in 5 Says Health Is Poor
Caring for a loved one at home can be rewarding, but it can also be overwhelming and take a toll on your own health, a new study suggests. More...
Kids Raised by Grandparents More Likely to Pile on Pounds: Study
Grandparents can be a bad influence on kids' weight, researchers say. More...
Frozen Donor Eggs May Lead to Fewer Births Than Fresh Ones
But statistics might not tell full story, experts say. More...
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