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Biomedical subjects

Jon Rasbash

Publications and source records attributed to Jon Rasbash.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Predictors of between-family and within-family variation in parent-child relationships.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have found that multiple factors are associated with parent-child relationship quality, but have not distinguished potential sources of between-family and within-family variation in parent-child relationship quality. METHODS: Approximately equal numbers of biological (non-stepfamilies), single-mother, stepfather, and complex/stepmother stepfamilies were selected from a large community study in England. The sample comprised 404 children in 171 families. Parent-child warmth/support and conflict/negativity were assessed using questionnaire and interview methods; family socio-demographic data were collected from parent report. RESULTS: Multilevel model analyses indicated substantial within-family variation in parent-child relationship quality, and greater within-family variation in complex/stepmother families compared to other family types. Within-family variation was largely accounted for by differences in the siblings' biological relatedness to the mother and father and to child-specific factors, notably aggressive behavior. CONCLUSIONS: The findings illustrate how research using multilevel model designs and analytic strategies may enhance our understanding of family process.

Child↗

Change in maternal perception of sibling negativity: within- and between-family influences.

Change in maternal report of sibling negativity was investigated in 313 sibling dyads from 171 families taking part in a longitudinal, general population survey in the United Kingdom. The inclusion of multiple dyads per family allowed for the emergence of 3 novel elements for sibling research: an examination of within-family similarity on sibling relationship quality, modeling within-family similarity as a function of the shared environment and the differentiation of family-wide and dyad-specific predictors. Moderate similarity on sibling negativity was found across different sibling dyads and similarity was higher in 2 versus lone-parent families. Maternal negativity, genetic relatedness, age of the oldest child in the dyad, and the interaction between lone-parent status and maternal differential treatment were found to predict change in sibling negativity.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of the school-based smoking-prevention program "BE smokeFREE".

This article examines the impact of the school-based smoking-prevention program "BE smokeFREE" on adolescent smoking. A national representative sample of 99 schools (195 classes, 4,441 students) was used when the intervention started in November 1994. Schools were allocated to one of four groups: a comparison group (A) and three intervention groups (B, C, and D). Group B received the most comprehensive intervention. A baseline (autumn 1994) and three follow-up data collections (1995, 1996, and 1997) were conducted. There were no significant differences in smoking habits among the four groups at baseline. The smoking habits in the group that was involved in the most comprehensive intervention (group B) changed more favourably than those of students in the comparison schools over the three follow-up data collections. At the third follow-up, the proportion of students smoking weekly or more in the comparison group was 29.2%, compared with 19.6% in the model intervention group. The two less comprehensive interventions (no teacher in-service courses in group C, and no involvement of parents in group D) appeared to be less effective than the model intervention. Multilevel multiple logistic regression analyses, comparing changes in smoking habits between students in group B with those among students in the comparison schools, confirm the conclusion that the comprehensive intervention was the most effective. This school-based intervention, based on a social influence approach, proved to be effective at reducing smoking rates among participants.

Adolescent↗

The role of the shared family context in differential parenting.

This article examines the role of the shared family context in understanding differential parental treatment of children. Child-specific and family-context predictors of differential parental positivity and negativity were examined using multilevel modeling in a population of 8,476 children nested in 3,762 families. Child age was the strongest child-specific predictor of positivity and differential positivity. Lower socioeconomic status (SES), marital dissatisfaction, and larger family size were associated with higher levels of differential positivity. There was evidence of potentiation when risks were combined. Children's temperament was associated with parental negativity and differential negativity. The strength of this association was moderated by SES. Mixed-gender sibships in families with marital dissatisfaction and children in single-parent families received the highest levels of differential negativity. The findings are discussed in the context of shared and nonshared environmental influences on development.

Child↗

Multilevel modelling of medical data.

This tutorial presents an overview of multilevel or hierarchical data modelling and its applications in medicine. A description of the basic model for nested data is given and it is shown how this can be extended to fit flexible models for repeated measures data and more complex structures involving cross-classifications and multiple membership patterns within the software package MLwiN. A variety of response types are covered and both frequentist and Bayesian estimation methods are described.

Algorithms↗

Mutual influence of marital conflict and children's behavior problems: shared and nonshared family risks.

This within-family, longitudinal study including biological and stepfamilies investigated mutual influences between marital conflict and children's behavior problems. Children (4 to 17 years; N=296) residing in 127 families drawn from a general population study were investigated at Time 1 and again 2 years later. These nested data were analyzed using multilevel modeling, controlling for previous child behavior or marital conflict. Marital conflict about children predicted change in children's behavior. Children's behavior also predicted an increase in marital conflict, particularly in stepfamilies. Differences between siblings in exposure to conflict and the extent to which siblings were a source of argument increased more in stepfamilies than in biological families. Boys were exposed to more conflict over time than were girls.

Adolescent↗