Marilyn A. McCubbin

Bio: Marilyn A. McCubbin is an academic researcher from University of Wisconsin-Madison. The author has contributed to research in topics: Coping (psychology) & Social support. The author has an hindex of 21, co-authored 26 publications receiving 3005 citations.

Typologies of Resilient Families: Emerging Roles of Social Class and Ethnicity.

Abstract: The study of resilient families, or the search for characteristics, dimensions, and properties of families which help families to be resistant to disruption in the face of change and adaptive in the face of crisis situations, is a natural and predictable development in the evolution of family science. Current findings from the studies conducted on resilient families are reviewed and summarized with an emphasis on three emerging issues. The importance of social class and ethnicity is accentuated in a review of current studies conducted on military families. Deterrents to and the need for more research on resilient families are discussed in relationship to the value of prevention oriented family programs. The study of resilient families, or the search for characteristics, dimensions, and properties of families which help families to be resistant to disruption in the face of change and adaptive in the face of crisis situations, is a natural and predictable development in the evolution of family science. Families appear to endure even in the face of adversity, and we are pressed to discover why. This line of scientific inquiry was initially characterized by a heavy investment in descriptive research listing those family strengths which authors inferred from family therapists' testimony and questionnaires (i.e., Curran, 1983; Otto, 1963). This was complemented by efforts to uncover those family resources which facilitate adaptation following a major crisis, a catastrophe or chronic illness (i.e., McCubbin, McCubbin, Patterson, Cauble, Wilson, & Warwick, 1983; Patterson & McCubbin, 1983). In recent times, family scientists have turned to theory building and research which move beyond these descriptive accounts, involve tests of the efficacy of these strengths, examine underlying patterns of family functioning referred to as family typologies (Lavee, 1985; McCubbin, 1986). In an effort to advance this line of research and theory building and foster the development of preventionoriented family-based programs, it would be instructive to review and examine the most recent findings to discern the emerging challenges and paradoxes involved in the study of resilient families. On the basis of a systematic review of the research strategies and findings from recent investiaations on resilient families conducted as part of the Family Stress, Coping and Health Project at the University of Wisconsin, we will attempt to shed some light on the emerging themes as well as paradoxes and present the pressing challenges for family life education and practice.

Family stress, perceived social support and coping following the diagnosis of a child's congenital heart disease.

Abstract: Family stress, perceived social support and coping following the diagnosis of a child's congenital heart disease Background. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is now estimated to be the second most prevalent chronic illness. A child's chronic illness may have effects that have pervasive consequences for family life. Recently, attention has focused on resiliency variables, especially social support and coping strategy, regulating the impact of stress. In the resiliency model of family stress, adjustment and adaptation, social support is viewed as one of the primary moderators or mediators between stress and well-being. Aims. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships of family stress, perceived social support, and coping and determine the resiliency factor associated with coping by families who have a child with chronic illness. Design. In a secondary analysis of a large longitudinal study, the sample consisted of 92 families who had a child under age 12 who was newly diagnosed with CHD within the last 3–4 months. Findings. Results from regression analysis revealed that perceived social support operated as a resiliency factor between family stress and both parental and family coping. Child and family characteristics appeared to be the important predictors of perceived social support and parental coping. Although perceived social support appeared to be an important predictor of parental and family coping, neither the moderating nor mediating model was supported in full but partial causal relations were confirmed. Conclusions. Findings provided evidence for the theoretical and empirical significance of perceived social support as a predictor of family coping. Further, these findings suggest that perceived social support is a factor influencing the resiliency of relatively high-risk groups of families who have a child with chronic illness.

Family Resiliency in Childhood Cancer

Abstract: Based on in-depth interviews with 42 parents (25 mothers, 17 fathers) in 26 families who had had a child treated for cancer within the previous 3 years, resiliency factors that helped the family recover were identified. The resiliency factors included internal family rapid mobilization and reorganization; social support from the health care team, extended family, the community, and the workplace; and changes in appraisal to make the situation more comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful.

Searching for the structure of coping: a review and critique of category systems for classifying ways of coping.

Abstract: From analyzing 100 assessments of coping, the authors critiqued strategies and identified best practices for constructing category systems. From current systems, a list of 400 ways of coping was compiled. For constructing lower order categories, the authors concluded that confirmatory factor analysis should replace the 2 most common strategies (exploratory factor analysis and rational sorting). For higher order categories, they recommend that the 3 most common distinctions (problem- vs. emotion-focused, approach vs. avoidance, and cognitive vs. behavioral) no longer be used. Instead, the authors recommend hierarchical systems of action types (e.g., proximity seeking, accommodation). From analysis of 6 such systems, 13 potential core families of coping were identified. Future steps involve deciding how to organize these families, using their functional homogeneity and distinctiveness, and especially their links to adaptive processes.

Meaning in the context of stress and coping

Abstract: Although theoretical and empirical work on topics related to meaning and meaning making proliferate, careful evaluation and integration of this area have not been carried out. Toward this end, this...

Validity of Antonovsky’s sense of coherence scale: a systematic review

Abstract: Study objective: The aim of this paper is to systematically review and analyse the validity and reliability of Antonovsky’s life orientation questionnaire/sense of coherence scale (SOC). Design: The study is descriptive and analytical with a systematic integration of the contemporary knowledge base on the salutogenic research published 1992–2003. The review includes 458 scientific publications and 13 doctoral theses. Setting: Worldwide, based on postgraduate scientific publications in eight authorised databases, doctoral theses, and available books. Main results: The SOC questionnaire has been used in at least 33 languages in 32 countries with at least 15 different versions of the questionnaire. In 124 studies using SOC-29 the Cronbach’s α ranges from 0.70 to 0.95. The α values in 127 studies using SOC-13 range from 0.70 to 0.92, and in 60 studies using a modified SOC scale range from 0.35 to 0.91. Test-retest correlation show stability and range from 0.69 to 0.78 (1 year), 0.64 (3 years), 0.42 to 0.45 (4 years), 0.59 to 0.67 (5 years) to 0.54 (10 years). The means of SOC-29 range 100.50 (SD 28.50) to 164.50 (SD 17.10) points and SOC-13 from 35.39 (SD 0.10) to 77.60 (SD 13.80) points. After 10 years SOC seems to be comparatively stable, but not as stable as Antonovsky initially assumed. SOC tends to increase with age. The factorial structure of SOC seems rather to be multidimensional than unidimensional. SOC predicts a positive outcome in a long term perspective, although there are divergent findings reported. The SOC scale seems to be a reliable, valid, and cross culturally applicable instrument measuring how people manage stressful situations and stay well.

Intergenerational solidarity and the structure of adult child-parent relationships in American families

Abstract: The authors investigate the structure of intergenerational cohesion by examining social‐psychological, structural, and transactional aspects of adult child‐parent relations. The authors use latent class analysis to develop a typology based on three underlying dimensions of intergenerational solidarity: affinity, opportunity structure, and function. The same five types are found for relations with both mothers and fathers: tight‐knit, sociable, intimate but distant, obligatory, and detached. Relationship types are also differentiated by sociodemographic characteristics; relations with fathers and divorced parents tended to have the weakest cohesion. The authors conclude that adult intergenerational relationships in American families are structurally diverse but generally possess the potential to serve their members' needs.

Parenting Stress among Caregivers of Children with Chronic Illness: A Systematic Review

Abstract: Objective To critically review, analyze, and synthesize the literature on parenting stress among caregivers of children with asthma, cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, epilepsy, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and/or sickle cell disease. Method PsychInfo, MEDLINE, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched according to inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of 13 studies and qualitative analysis of 96 studies was conducted. Results Caregivers of children with chronic illness reported significantly greater general parenting stress than caregivers of healthy children (d ¼ .40; p ¼� .0001). Qualitative analysis revealed that greater general parenting stress was associated with greater parental responsibility for treatment management and was unrelated to illness duration and severity across illness populations. Greater parenting stress was associated with poorer psychological adjustment in caregivers and children with chronic illness. Conclusion Parenting stress is an important target for future intervention. General and illness-specific measures of parenting stress should be used in future studies.