King et al. (2015), begin by examining some of the previous research supporting their focus of children’s perceptions of family belonging. Little research has focused on the factors that may influence a child’s perception. The Family Systems Theory guided the researchers; therefore, they narrowed in on how perceptions of family belonging were related to the quality of relationships between different family members. Due to the low numbers of children whose fathers have full custody those adolescents did not participate in the study. The participants were also limited to married stepfather homes, not including cohabitating. The researches chose to measure family belonging as a construct of parent-child relationship. The researchers hypothesized
…show more content…
The mother-child relationship as hypothesized, had a strong correlation with a child’s perception of belonging. Though the relationship stepfather-child was not as strong as the mother- child relationship it still significantly influences an adolescents perception of family belonging. Showing that both the mother and father may play independent but important roles in helping the adolescent feel he/her belongs. On the other hand, the quality of the mother-stepfather relationship had no significant influence on the adolescent’s perception of family belonging. The results stated that Hispanic adolescents reported higher levels of family belonging than did Black or White students, though they did not report significantly higher levels of quality of relationships with their mothers or stepfathers. This report may be linked to the Hispanic culture and the emphasis put on family obligations, but further research is suggested to understand more clearly. Additionally, the number or full siblings, the adolescent’s age, and religiosity were significantly but indirectly associated. It was also found that adolescents in lower income families report higher levels of family
The mother-child relationship as hypothesized, had a strong correlation with a child’s perception of belonging. Though the relationship stepfather-child was not as strong as the mother- child relationship it still significantly influences an adolescents perception of family belonging. Showing that both the mother and father may play independent but important roles in helping the adolescent feel he/her belongs. On the other hand, the quality of the mother-stepfather relationship had no significant influence on the adolescent’s perception of family belonging. The results stated that Hispanic adolescents reported higher levels of family belonging than did Black or White students, though they did not report significantly higher levels of quality of relationships with their mothers or stepfathers. This report may be linked to the Hispanic culture and the emphasis put on family obligations, but further research is suggested to understand more clearly. Additionally, the number or full siblings, the adolescent’s age, and religiosity were significantly but indirectly associated. It was also found that adolescents in lower income families report higher levels of family