{"title":"Transfronterizo Families at the San Diego–Tijuana Border: Complicating Theories of Family, Migration, and Mobility","authors":"Kimberly Higuera, Karina Santellano","doi":"10.1111/jftr.70016","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jftr.70016","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Transborder or transfronterizo families straddle borders, living their daily lives across nations and commuting across international borders. This article draws on the case of transfronterizo family life at the San Diego, California–Tijuana, Baja California border. Based on existing scholarship, emerging transnational policies, and our own experiences growing up in the San Diego–Tijuana borderland, we suggest a distinction between the form of transnational familyhood often explored in family science: long-distance transnational families with limited in-person interactions and the form of transnational familyhood that transfronterizo families represent. The latter is a short-distance transnational family model, where issues like daily governmental monitoring and time scarcity are highly salient. We examine how inequalities on both sides of the border thwart the economic promise of migration, create the need for transfronterizo family life to achieve economic survival and social mobility, and uniquely shape transfronterizo family dynamics and processes.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47446,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Theory & Review","volume":"18 1","pages":"13-19"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145241171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Context Matters: A Contextualized Approach to Studying Latinx Family Ethnic-Racial Socialization","authors":"Sabrina A. Mendez-Escobar","doi":"10.1111/jftr.70014","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jftr.70014","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Latinx family ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) practices vary based on unique contexts such as racial background, experiences with discrimination, and cultural values. However, researchers often group Latinx families without considering context. By clearly identifying a specific Latinx group of interest, researchers can situate family practices within the group's unique social and historical factors. This article outlines a three-step approach for studying contextualized Latinx family ERS. Following this approach, researchers can identify a Latinx group to establish their social and historical factors. This will inform research practices: forming a representative research team, choosing culturally appropriate methodology, and analyzing and interpreting research findings through a contextualized lens. Using García Coll et al.'s Integrative Model and relying on Hughes et al.'s conceptualization of ERS, the context of one Latinx group (i.e., Dominicans) is defined and the application of the three-step approach is explained. Recommendations are provided for future contextualized research with Latinx families.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47446,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Theory & Review","volume":"18 1","pages":"30-42"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145277418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Positive Youth Development for Youth Living in Structurally Diverse Families","authors":"Jonathon J. Beckmeyer","doi":"10.1111/jftr.70034","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jftr.70034","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Research on family structure diversity and youth well-being has largely aligned with deficit orientations, emphasizing that living in structurally diverse families is a potential risk-factor for youth well-being and development. In this article, I advocate for increased strengths-based scholarship on youth living in structurally diverse families by centering this research with positive youth development (PYD) frameworks. Broadly, PYD frameworks orient scholars toward viewing youth holistically, attending to positive indicators of well-being as well as how youth capacities and experiences intersect with family and community resources to promote flourishing and thriving. Approaching family structure diversity and youth well-being from a PYD perspective provides an important counter to the deficit perspective that dominates research on youth living in structurally diverse families. I review models of PYD and provide specific guidance for how family scientists can incorporate PYD outcomes and processes into family structure scholarship.</p>","PeriodicalId":47446,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Theory & Review","volume":"18 1","pages":"77-89"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jftr.70034","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145609034","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Grandmothering While Black: A Twenty-First-Century Story of Love, Coercion, and Survival. By Lashawnda L. Pittman. University of California Press, Oakland, California, 2023. 336 pp. $92.04 (hardcover). ISBN: 978-0-52-038995-3; $29.95 (paperback). ISBN: 978-0-52-038996-0; $29.95 (ebook). ISBN: 978-0-52-038997-7","authors":"Elliana McKinney","doi":"10.1111/jftr.70036","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jftr.70036","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":47446,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Theory & Review","volume":"18 1","pages":"251-257"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145765089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Theorizing Family Rituals: A Family Systems Model","authors":"Carla Crespo","doi":"10.1111/jftr.70032","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jftr.70032","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Family rituals are universal and spontaneous events carried out by families worldwide. The meaning associated with family rituals can greatly benefit individuals and families. A robust body of research, coupled with ongoing theoretical developments, has paved the way for family rituals to become a well-established construct within family science. I revisit past theoretical core contributions and suggest a new, mid-range theoretical model of family rituals, grounded in family systems theory. This model identifies security and identity as building blocks for creating meaningful family rituals and as general processes through which the meaning of these events is associated with health and well-being outcomes at three different systemic levels. Family cohesion, perceived relational efficacy, and sense of belonging are conceptualized as three additional specific processes that connect the meaning of family rituals to improved outcomes for families, couples/parents, and individuals. In conclusion, I reflect upon the model's potential contributions for advancing further theory and research.</p>","PeriodicalId":47446,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Theory & Review","volume":"18 1","pages":"62-76"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jftr.70032","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145535511","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ashley B. LeBaron-Black, Nathan D. Leonhardt, Sofia C. Suxo-Sanchez, Elise Rich, Fangyuan M. Broadbent
{"title":"Parent Financial Socialization and Financial Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis","authors":"Ashley B. LeBaron-Black, Nathan D. Leonhardt, Sofia C. Suxo-Sanchez, Elise Rich, Fangyuan M. Broadbent","doi":"10.1111/jftr.70037","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jftr.70037","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We present a meta-analysis of the associations between parent financial socialization during childhood/adolescence and financial outcomes in emerging adulthood, synthesizing results from 39 studies presented in 36 articles. The articles were identified via a systematic review. Parent financial socialization was positively associated with financial outcomes generally and with financial attitudes, financial behavior, financial knowledge, and financial wellbeing specifically, but not with financial capabilities. The association with financial outcomes generally depended on study location, sample gender, sample parental income, sample parental education level, and sample socioeconomic status (SES). To improve emerging adults' financial wellbeing and other financial outcomes, practitioners and policymakers should support parents in providing high-quality financial socialization to their children and adolescents. Parent financial socialization may be especially important for lower-SES children/adolescents (based on overall SES) but may not be as effective for those whose parents do not have sufficient education (based solely on parents' education level).</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47446,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Theory & Review","volume":"18 1","pages":"230-250"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145770608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ronja F. Held, Aline Moore Lorusso, Ann L. M. P. Hogenhuis, Esther S. Kluwer, Ruud Hortensius
{"title":"Understanding Family Dynamics Through a Neurocognitive Lens","authors":"Ronja F. Held, Aline Moore Lorusso, Ann L. M. P. Hogenhuis, Esther S. Kluwer, Ruud Hortensius","doi":"10.1111/jftr.70018","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jftr.70018","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Individual family members impact each other and the family system at the physiological, brain, behavioral, phenomenological, and social level. Previous research used established methods, such as self-report and behavioral observation, to provide thorough insights into family dynamics. Here, we complement existing methods and argue for a neurocognitive approach in family research. Neurocognitive tools can provide detailed insights into complex family dynamics by capturing behavioral and brain processes at the individual and family level. By measuring neural activity and the alignment of brain activity between family members, scholars can uncover complex recurrent and situation-dependent interactions that so far have remained hidden. This approach can increase the scope of family research, especially when measuring family members across generations with different levels of verbal ability. The neurocognitive approach allows researchers to study interconnected family members across multiple generations. Measuring the behavior and brain activity of multiple family members simultaneously is a promising method to reveal additional factors contributing to family well-being and inform theory and practice. As mobile neuroimaging advances, studying family interactions in natural settings, such as the home, becomes more feasible. The neurocognitive approach fosters understanding of known and unknown factors contributing to family dynamics, bringing it closer to home.</p>","PeriodicalId":47446,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Theory & Review","volume":"18 1","pages":"43-55"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jftr.70018","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145314512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Sterling T. Shumway, Thomas G. Kimball, Spencer D. Bradshaw, Soon Cho, Kai-Tang Chang
{"title":"The Systemic Model of the Brain Disease of Addiction: A Holistic and Comprehensive Theoretical Perspective","authors":"Sterling T. Shumway, Thomas G. Kimball, Spencer D. Bradshaw, Soon Cho, Kai-Tang Chang","doi":"10.1111/jftr.70030","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jftr.70030","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Addiction is a complex biopsychosocial phenomenon impacting not only individuals but also their proximal family members. We introduce a theoretical model that integrates research and clinical insights across biopsychosocial domains to explain the development, manifestation, and systemic effects of addiction. Rooted in the understanding of addiction as a brain disease, the model emphasizes the role of neurochemical processes in the midbrain, particularly dopamine-driven survival mechanisms, in the progression of both substance and behavioral addictions. Genetic predisposition, coupled with internal wounds and external behaviors, accelerates compulsive and impulsive behavioral response patterns. Through the family systems theory perspective, this theoretical model can be extended to family dynamics and highlights how family members, through exposure to fear, stress, trauma, and attachment wounds often exhibit comparable compulsive and impulsive behaviors. This model underscores the systemic impact of addiction on individuals and families, offering a foundation for improved treatment interventions rooted in family systems theory.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47446,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Theory & Review","volume":"18 1","pages":"158-169"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145599215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Quantify or Classify? Recommendations for Ambiguous Loss Versus Boundary Ambiguity","authors":"Pauline Boss","doi":"10.1111/jftr.70011","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jftr.70011","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The theory of ambiguous loss is a psychosocial theory born out of my interdisciplinary interests and training in human development, family science, psychology, sociology, and psychiatry/family therapy. Historically, qualitative and mixed methods advanced this theory; today, an ambiguous loss scale is wanted. What can and cannot be measured? Why are perceptions of ambiguous loss quantifiable while the phenomenon itself is not? Recommendations and critical aspects are presented for new generations who hopefully will further theory development. Instead of the usual epistemological questions about truth and measurement, we ask, “How do people left behind perceive the agonizing stress of missing loved ones?” The goal of ambiguous loss intervention is not to cure or fix (because we cannot), but paradoxically, to build enough resilience in those left behind to move forward with life despite unanswered questions. Today, this theory is applied globally; novel applications are emerging.</p>","PeriodicalId":47446,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Theory & Review","volume":"18 1","pages":"7-12"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jftr.70011","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145382258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Bioecological Framework for Supporting Mothers From Pregnancy to Workforce Reintegration","authors":"Letícia Barbano","doi":"10.1111/jftr.70039","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jftr.70039","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This conceptual article develops a bioecological framework to explain how multiple forms of support shape mothers' transitions from pregnancy through maternity leave and workforce reintegration. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner's Process–Person–Context–Time (PPCT) model, the framework reconceptualizes emotional, instrumental, informational, appraisal, social, and structural supports as proximal processes that operate across micro-, meso-, exo-, and macrosystems. By specifying how these supports evolve through the chronosystem's temporal phases, the model advances family theory by linking ecological systems to maternal adaptation and labor force retention. This integrative framework offers new directions for research and policy on maternal well-being, family dynamics, and gendered work–family transitions.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":47446,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Family Theory & Review","volume":"18 1","pages":"118-129"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145760056","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}