Family structure changes experienced by children are likely to shape their transitions into young adulthood, including the formation of their own romantic relationships. This study examined links between children's family structure trajectories from childhood through adolescence and their timing of entry into cohabitation as young adults, a transition with implications for future relationship instability through adulthood. Repeated measures latent class analysis identified configurations of family structures and family structure changes from birth through age 15 among 10,706 young people in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 Children and Young Adults. A Cox proportional hazard model then used the resulting classes to predict timing into cohabitation over the period from age 15 to age 38. Both timing of family structure transitions and the type of transitions (e.g., early transitioning into a stepfamily home) were associated with earlier entry into cohabitation. Notably, links between family structure trajectories and the timing of cohabitation differed by gender and race/ethnicity (Latinx, African American, White), such as a faster entry into cohabitation by women who experienced early entry into stepfamily structures. Regardless of gender, Latinx and White young adults were faster to enter into cohabitation if they lived in a stepfamily structure during early childhood. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

In the United States, pregnant women have low concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are essential for fetal development. Although maternal blood provides accurate polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) concentrations, venipuncture is expensive and not always accessible. PUFA-containing foods consumption, both omega-3 ad omega-6 is supposed to reflect in the status (plasma, RBC, adipose tissue) of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). De novo synthesis of DHA and EPA during pregnancy is supposed to be higher compared to pre and/or post-pregnancy periods. Thus, this study aimed to determine the association between maternal self-reported dietary intake of foods high in DHA and EPA, along with vegetable oils as a source of omega-6 fatty acids, with maternal blood DHA and EPA concentrations. Pregnant women (13–16 weeks gestation) were recruited and asked to complete a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and blood draw at enrollment and 36 weeks. Circulating concentrations of DHA and EPA were quantified and change scores were calculated. Correlations were done to determine associations between FFQ results and EPA/DHA maternal blood concentrations. Regression analyses were run to examine significant predictors of the main outcomes. Overall, PUFA-food consumption and RBC’s DHA levels decreased from early to late pregnancy; self-reported PUFA-rich food consumption positively correlated with DHA and EPA levels. DHA concentration was predicted by self-reported PUFA-rich oils (sunflower/soy/corn/olive) consumption, but EPA concentration was predicted by maternal BMI. These findings suggest that EPA and DHA consumption decreased across pregnancy and the FFQ can be utilized as an effective method for estimating PUFA blood concentration during pregnancy.

Objective: This exploratory mixed‐methods study examined the perceptions of parental experience, coping, and resiliency of 690 parents in the United States during the pandemic.Background: In response to being faced with additional stressors from the onset of COVID‐19 pandemic, many families tapped into coping strategies and resilience.Results: A survey administered during July–September of 2020 determined that parental stress, difficulties with COVID‐19, and family functioning significantly impacted overall parental experience. Health concerns did not have a significant impact on parenting. Qualitative data were coded and analyzed to answer two open‐ended questions regarding parents coping and positive effects of the pandemic. Four subthemes emerged: (a) readjusting connections, (b) intentional wellness, (c) family cohesion, and (d) deceleration of time.Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that parents were able to develop coping strategies and find positives even during the early stages of the pandemic.Implications: This study provides support for Walsh's (2020) description of “bouncing forward” versus the traditional notion of “bouncing back” in the face of change and uncertainty, especially for higher resourced families. A common experience for participants was the reported use of intentional strategies that aided in processing, healing, and hope during this time of uncertainty.