Families

A multigenerational group of people who share a close relationship and generally live in the same household, with one or more parents caring for biological or adopted children, families also include adult children who care for their elderly parents. RAND research on families spans various populations and socioeconomic backgrounds in developed as well as developing countries and addresses such topics as child welfare, fertility, marriage and divorce, and household economic security.

  • Report

    Social Fitness and Resilience: A Review of Relevant Constructs, Measures, and Links to Well-Being

    One of a series of reports designed to support Air Force leadership in promoting resilience among Airmen, its civilian employees, and Air Force family members, this report examines social fitness, or the combination of resources from social connections that influence how individuals respond to stressful circumstances. It assesses the current social fitness constructs and measures in scientific literature to identify methods of increasing social connectedness and support among U.S. Airmen and their families.

    Oct 3, 2013

  • finger pressing doorbell

    Tool

    Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating a Home Visiting Program

    Home visiting programs can help parents address the struggles of caring for young children by matching them with trained professionals who can support the development of quality parenting skills.

    Sep 24, 2013

  • Research Brief

    Reintegration After Deployment: Supporting Citizen Warriors and Their Families

    A RAND study of the challenges that reserve component service members and their families face after deployment and the factors that contribute to successful reintegration led to a series of recommendations for the U.S. Department of Defense.

    Sep 17, 2013

  • military woman and man in uniforms

    News Release

    Lengthy Military Deployments Increase Divorce Risk for U.S. Enlisted Service Members

    The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been hard on military marriages, with the risk of divorce rising directly in relation to the length of time enlisted service members have been deployed to combat zones. The negative effects of deployment were largest among female military members.

    Sep 3, 2013

  • Family members rush to greet their Soldiers after a homecoming ceremony for the 109th Transportation Company July 6 at Buckner Physical Fitness Center on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The 109th moved cargo and supplies and mentored Afghan National Army Soldiers in eastern Afghanistan during its yearlong deployment.

    Report

    Support for the 21st-Century Reserve Force: Insights to Facilitate Successful Reintegration for Citizen Warriors and Their Families

    Data collected from families and resource providers offer insights on how well these personnel and their families fare after deployment, the challenges they face during that time frame, the strategies and resources they use to navigate the reintegration phase, and how to ensure that reintegration proceeds as smoothly as possible.

    Aug 28, 2013

  • Parents on sofa cuddling baby daughter

    Brochure

    The time is ripe for evidence-based child policy in the EU

    This note provides an overview of the reasons for greater demand for evidence-based child policy in Europe, and things to take into account in using evidence-based information in this area.

    Aug 21, 2013

  • Italian woman and toddler

    Brochure

    Working to improve child policy in Europe

    This document introduces the European Platform for Investing in Children (EPIC) and the way in which practices are submitted and evaluated for inclusion on the platform.

    Aug 21, 2013

  • sad mother

    Report

    Maternal Depression: Implications for Systems Serving Mothers and Children

    Since women are almost twice as likely as men to experience depression and most women age 15 to 50 have children, maternal depression is an important issue. This report informs policymakers and practitioners of evidence connecting maternal depression and negative outcomes for both mother and child.

    Aug 12, 2013

  • Journal Article

    Journal Article

    Parent-reported Height and Weight as Sources of Bias in Survey Estimates of Childhood Obesity

    Parental reporting of height and weight was evaluated for US children aged 2–13 years.

    Aug 1, 2013

  • Jubilee Family Festival in Hyde Park

    Commentary

    Could Britain See a Baby Boom?

    The royal birth comes at a time when fertility in Britain is increasing after decades of decline. Today, the U.K.'s total fertility rate, a proxy for the average number of children per women in a given year, is the third highest in Europe behind only France and Ireland.

    Jul 31, 2013

  • magnifying glass and charts

    Brochure

    Evaluating Medicare Demonstration Projects

    RAND works closely with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to design, test, implement, and evaluate demonstration projects that span a wide range of care settings and issues.

    Jun 26, 2013

  • father feeding his baby

    Commentary

    Father's Day: The Important Role Fathers Play in Children's Upbringing

    Research shows that engaged fathers have a positive influence on their children. Educational success, better social development, and higher self-esteem are some of the documented effects on children who have dads involved in their everyday life.

    Jun 14, 2013

  • hands holding paper cutout of family

    Report

    Current Developments in Parenting Support in European Member States

    As part of the European Platform for Investing in Children (EPIC), the European Commission's Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion asked RAND Europe to review parenting support initiatives in Europe. The scope, organisation, delivery and funding of parenting support services varies considerably across and within Member States. Nevertheless, a common set of characteristic features of parenting support can be identified in the European context.

    Jun 14, 2013

  • A mother and daughter read a book while sitting in a hammock

    Blog

    Three Summer Learning Tips Parents Can Use

    There’s plenty that parents can do at home to help their kids stay sharp until the new school year begins.

    Jun 10, 2013

  • preschool boy and girl being creative

    Commentary

    Investing in Children

    The historic objective of Children's Day — celebrated in many European countries on the first day of June — was not simply to celebrate children for who they are, but to bring attention to children around the world who suffer from exploitation, violence, and discrimination.

    May 31, 2013

  • An Army family poses for a photograph

    Report

    Strategically Aligned Family Research: Supporting Soldier and Family Quality of Life Research for Policy Decisionmaking

    The U.S. Army wants to develop a research agenda that defines the Quality of Life (QOL) needs of soldiers and families, helps gauge the success of programs, improves coordination of research efforts, and determines how best to allocate resources. Analysis suggests that both domain-specific research and a broader, more holistic understanding of QOL — to put domain-specific research in context — are critical.

    May 31, 2013

  • tags and American flag

    Commentary

    Research Is a Fundamental Component of Suicide Prevention

    While our research has taught us many things about suicide prevention, we think additional research is critically needed in two areas, writes Rajeev Ramchand. The first is gun control. The second area is the quality of behavioral health care available to those who need it.

    May 24, 2013

  • Blog

    At 65, RAND Continues to Make a Difference

    To celebrate our first 60 years, we created 60 Ways RAND Has Made a Difference, an online book to illustrate our most notable contributions. On our 65th birthday, we provide five of the most recent ways in which we at RAND are proud to have made a difference.

    May 13, 2013

  • Couple reviewing finances with an advisor

    Commentary

    The Cost of Dementia: Who Will Pay?

    It is time for the government in partnership with industry to return to the drawing board to craft a plan that will provide protection for the more than 9 million people who will need care for dementia by 2040, writes Michael D. Hurd.

    May 1, 2013

  • Journal Article

    Journal Article

    Fertility Desires Among HIV-infected Men and Women in Los Angeles County: Client Needs and Provider Perspectives

    Combination antiretroviral therapy for persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) has extended life expectancy, and enabled PLHA to live productive lives that can include having children.

    May 1, 2013

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