Browsing by Author "Vaterlaus, J. Mitchell"

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Critical Science: A systematic literature review of empirical research (1979–2022)
(Wiley, 2024-05) Wanago, Nicole C.; Alexander, Karen L.; Vaterlaus, J. Mitchell; Miller, Cynthia L.; Roberson, Kyle L.
The Critical Science Approach (CSA) was developed in 1979 with the intent to create a consistent conceptual identity unifying the Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) profession's philosophy, knowledge, and practice. This systematic literature review examines empirical CSA research published between 1979 and 2022 to better understand what the CSA means for the profession. A total of 71 articles met the criteria with the CSA highly integrated in 22 of those articles. Results illustrate a need for increased CSA scholarship, continuity in keyword usage within the CSA language, and collaboration among preprofessional programs and professional organizations to support and sustain a CSA paradigm shift.
A foster care alumna’s past and present technological experience: A feminist case study approach
(2015-08) Roche, Cesia; Vaterlaus, J. Mitchell; Young, Jimmy A.
Research on technology use and access among youth raised in non-traditional family structures indicates that the youth’s experiences are different from individuals raised in traditional family structures. Foster care represents a non-traditional family structure that warrants research attention in terms of technology. Using a multicultural feminist framework, the present study explores the past and present technological experience of a woman (30 years old) who was raised in the foster care system. The results are presented as a case study documenting her technological experience in foster care, as she transitioned out of the foster care system, and as she has taken on the roles of wife and mother. Results indicated that the participant had limited access to technology while in the foster care system, and this limited technology access related to her current use and perceptions of technology. Directions for future research are provided. The Millennial generation includes people born between 1980 and 2000, and the title denotes the first generation to come of age during the new millennium (Gurau, 2012). A distinguishing feature of the Millennial generation from previous generations is their “technological exceptionalism. . . It’s not just their gadgets—it’s the way they’ve fused their social lives into them” (Pew Research Center, 2010, p. 6). These new technologies have created a reality where people can connect instantaneously across the globe (Courtois, Mechant, De Marez, & Verleye, 2009). Even Millennials who do not have personal access to new technologies share a culture that is heavily influenced by social technologies (Horst, Herr-Stephenson, & Robinson, 2010). Because Millennials have aged concurrently with the evolution of new technologies, some have posited that they are also “digital natives” (e.g., proficient technology experts) and that the previous generations are immigrants who have difficulty adapting to new technology (Prensky, 2001). These terms, originally presented with only anecdotal evidence, have since been discredited as research has emerged that shows different levels of technological proficiency among Millennials (Bennett, Maton, & Kervin, 2008; Helsper & Eynon, 2010). Socioeconomic status (Robinson, 2009), education (Helsper & Eynon, 2010), gender, and family configuration (Notten, Peter, Kraaykamp, & Valkenburg, 2009) have all been identified as factors that make individual Millennials’ technological experiences unique. Hence, caution must be given when making assumptions about technological experiences of a whole generation and it is important to be “mindful that there are as many differences in attitudes, values, behaviors and lifestyles within a generation as there are between generations” (Pew Research Center, 2010, p. 5). The present study was designed to give voice to the technological experiences of a subsection of the Millennial generation. Hundreds of thousands of children are placed in the foster care system within the United States (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2013), and children in foster care are likely to experience several transitions in placements (Strijker, Knorth, & Knot-Dickscheit, 2008). Many of the Millennials who were in the foster care system have now transitioned out of the system and into adulthood. To date, no research is available relating to the perceived influence of foster care on foster care alumni’s technological experiences. As a starting point, this exploratory study sought to identify the current and past technological experiences of one Millennial foster care alumna using case study methodology.
How do contemporary adolescent - parent triads conceptualize the concept of health?
(Montana State Univeristy, 2017-04) DesLauriers, Kathryn; O'Leary, Bryant; Vaterlaus, J. Mitchell
The World Health Organization (WHO; 1948) has defined health in three parts of well-being which include, physical, mental and social, not simply an absence of disease or illness. Adolescence is a period of risky time for the development of obesity, and obesity has many lasting physical and psychosocial consequences (Jones & Vaterlaus, 2014). Family contexts are important for making diet and exercise decisions (Freeland-Graves & Nitzke, 2013) and psychosocial development in general (Bronfenbrenner, 1979, & Lytle, L. 2009). In order to understand adolescent health and behaviors surrounding health a common definition should be identified and used within a family. Studies regarding family health frequently consist of only one person from the family and the health care provider (Persson & Benzein, 2014). Additionally, health research is focused on the adolescent alone or one parent. Much of that literature with respect to adolescents contains a focus founded on specific singular categories of the WHO’s definition like obesity, disease, or mental illness, but are deficient in the entire scope of wellness (Kircaldy, Shephard, &Siefen, 2002; Rolland-Cahera, 2011; Skelton, Buehler, Irby & Grzywacz, 2012). This study is unique in that it investigates health from a triadic versus a dyadic or singular lens. Researching the adolescent-mother-father triad grants another avenue to understanding perceptions of health, through the perspective of the adolescent and the inner circle of their family influences. Adolescents’ perceptions of health are formed from a foundation of their relationship with their parents. The focus of this research was to understand the definition of health from the adolescent’s perspective in relation to that of their parents.
Parent–Child Relationships and the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Qualitative Study with Parents in Early, Middle, and Late Adulthood
(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2021-09) Vaterlaus, J. Mitchell; Shaffer, Tasha; Patten, Emily V.; Spruance, Lori A.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families is currently unknown. Parents and children have experienced a variety of changes as public health interventions have been implemented to slow the spread of the virus. The current exploratory qualitative study recruited parents (n = 365) in early (ages 20–34), middle (ages 35–64), and late (ages 65 and older) adulthood to understand how the early weeks of the pandemic influenced their parent–child relationships. Participants completed an online survey between March 21 and 31, 2020. Three themes emerged through qualitative content analysis: (1) relational steadiness, (2) navigating COVID-19 challenges in relationships, and (3) relational enhancement.
Parents’ Part C Experiences in Rural Areas: Alignment With Recommended Practices
(SAGE Publications, 2020-09-04) Decker, Kalli B.; Meldrum, Jacie; Vaterlaus, J. Mitchell; Foster, Tricia D.
The Division for Early Childhood (DEC) clearly outlined recommended practices for the provision of Part C services. However, there may be challenges in rural areas associated with services aligning with these recommended practices. Therefore, this study focuses on how families experience Part C services and the extent to which services align with specific areas the DEC recommended practices in the large, rural state of Montana. We interviewed parents ( N = 30) about their children’s Part C services. Deductive qualitative content analysis was used. Parents’ reports suggest that while some aspects of their Part C services align with specific recommended practices, others do not. There were some meaningful differences regarding alignment with these recommended practices depending on type of provider being described. The environments in which services take place are discussed, as these may influence aspects of collaboration and building family capacity.
Women’s longitudinal social media behaviors and experiences during a global pandemic
(Informa UK Limited, 2023-03) Vaterlaus, J. Mitchell; Spruance, Lori A.; Patten, Emily V.
This longitudinal mixed-methods study explored women’s (n = 124) lived experiences with social media in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Women completed surveys at two points in time (March 2020 and April 2021). Follow-up interviews were also conducted with 33 women in April 2021. A longitudinal qualitative approach was used to identify three themes: (a) social media “works as an echo chamber,” (b) connection and community, and (c) information and misinformation overload. Women significantly decreased their social media behaviors focused on connecting with others, active engagement with COVID-19 content (e.g., creating a personal post, liking a post), and passive engagement with COVID-19 content (e.g., reading a post) between March 2020 and April 2021.
Young Adults’ Closest Sibling Relationships and Interactive Technology
(Taylor & Francis, 2022-11) Vaterlaus, J. Mitchell; Dodson, Madison; Bock, Sarah H.
Sibling relationships are conceptualized as one of the longest lasting relationships, but empirical information about young adults’ sibling relationships is limited. The current study aimed to understand how young adults (n = 239) conceptualized sibling closeness and how interactive technology influenced their self-identified closest sibling relationship. Through qualitative content analysis, three themes were identified regarding experiences with sibling closeness: (1) determinate and steady features, (2) congruence in relationship expectations, and (3) communication. In a second qualitative content analysis, participants’ perceptions of how interactive technology influenced their closest sibling relationship were represented in three themes: (1) functionality, (2) technology that promotes quality communication, and (3) technology is not a benefit for sibling relationship.