Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Science

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Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Science

Family Relations primarily publishes empirically-based original research articles, including meta-analyses and program evaluations.

A peer-reviewed academic journal of the National Council on Family Relations, Family Relations is a translational science journal that publishes contemporary scientific content about families for professionals who work with families. The journal’s applied focus means that articles are expected to have clear implications for practice; that is, to provide guidance on how the findings can be used to

address challenges or enhance experiences in families or romantic relationships. Most family scientists view Family Relations as the premier scientific journal for finding this type of applied research on family issues. Indeed, the primary strength of Family Relations relative to other family science journals is that it bridges the gap between family scholars and the educators and practitioners (e.g., family life educators, therapists, policy specialists, nurses, attorneys, etc.) who work with families or family issues in an applied context.

08/07/2025

📦💸 Helping Military Families Navigate Life's Transitions

What happens when financial education meets real-life moments—like deployments, promotions, or becoming a parent? A new study in Family Relations explores how service members are responding to online, asynchronous financial training tailored to key family and career milestones.

The findings? These “just-in-time” trainings are seen as high-quality, relevant, and impactful, especially among enlisted personnel and those with less formal education. Even better, most participants reported sharing what they learned with their significant other, amplifying the program’s reach.

📚 Read more: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fare.12966

06/07/2025

💛 To Every Adoptive Parent Doing the Hard Work—You're Not Alone

Parenting through adoption can bring deep joy—and unique challenges. A recent study published in Family Relations explores the emotional and psychological well-being of long-term adoptive mothers, highlighting both the real struggles and the hard-earned strengths that come with “extreme parenting.”

The mothers in the study shared experiences of ongoing emotional strain, relationship stress, and putting their own needs last. But they also spoke of the healing power of therapeutic parenting, building strong attachments, and finding ways to "offload" the emotional load.

This research is a reminder: your well-being matters, too. Supporting your mental health is essential to supporting your family.

📰 Read more: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fare.12963

03/07/2025

🧠 Therapeutic Insights into the Mental Health of Adoptive Mothers
A study in Family Relations by Charmaine Kohn, Alison Pike, and Richard O. de Visser explores the psychological well-being of long-term adoptive mothers, offering valuable insights for therapists who support adoptive families.

Findings reveal that many adoptive mothers face sustained emotional strain linked to “extreme parenting,” relational stress, and a tendency to deprioritize self-care. At the same time, key sources of resilience include therapeutic parenting strategies, attachment development, and spaces to emotionally offload.

For MFTs and LPCs, this study underscores the importance of addressing mental health holistically—not just in children but in adoptive parents as well. Ongoing validation, assessment, and support for adoptive mothers can improve outcomes for the entire family system.

📖 Full article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fare.12963

01/07/2025

👩‍👧‍👦 Supporting the Mental Health of Adoptive Mothers
New research in Family Relations by Charmaine Kohn, Alison Pike, and Richard O. de Visser sheds light on the emotional well-being of long-term adoptive mothers. Through in-depth interviews, this study explores the enduring psychological demands of “extreme parenting” and the factors that both challenge and support maternal mental health.

For CFLEs working with adoptive families, this research highlights the critical importance of validating maternal mental health, promoting therapeutic parenting practices, and ensuring that adoptive parents have space to offload and access ongoing support.

📖 Read the full article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fare.12963

29/06/2025

📊 Research Alert for Scholars of Family Finance
In Family Relations, Tae-Young Pak, Lu Fan, and Swarn Chatterjee examine how parental modeling of financial behavior predicts financial well-being in early adulthood—with financial capability acting as a key mediator.

Their findings suggest that experiential financial socialization within families may be more influential than formal or peer-based learning, raising important questions about equity and access to financial knowledge at home.

🔍 A must-read for those exploring the intersections of family processes, financial socialization, and economic outcomes.

🔗 Read the full article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fare.12959

25/06/2025

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Money Lessons Start at Home
A new study by Tae-Young Pak, Lu Fan, and Swarn Chatterjee finds that observing parental financial behavior plays a key role in shaping the financial well-being of young adults in Korea. While peers, media, and school had limited influence, financial capability developed through family financial socialization made a lasting impact.

💡 Want to help the next generation thrive financially? Start with everyday financial modeling in the home.

🔗 Read the full article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fare.12959

23/06/2025

📲 Teaching Connection in the Digital Age
In this timely study, Amy Johnson and Marg Rogers examine how Australian military families use digital tools to nurture parent–child relationships during deployment. For CFLEs and family educators, the findings offer practical insights into how social media and communication technology can support family resilience in high-stress contexts.

For those preparing future family professionals, this article is a powerful teaching tool for discussing the intersection of technology, parenting, and family well-being. It highlights both the opportunities and challenges of staying emotionally connected across distance—a reality for many families today.

🔗 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fare.12960

21/06/2025

💻🧠 Therapeutic Insights for Supporting Military Families
In their study, Amy Johnson and Marg Rogers explore how digital communication technologies help military parents maintain emotional closeness with their children during deployments. For family therapists, this research offers key takeaways about the emotional labor of the at-home parent, the psychological benefits of routine digital contact, and the nuanced dynamics of connection across distance.

Whether navigating reintegration or building resilience during separation, this study reminds us that digital communication can serve as a meaningful bridge in the parent–child relationship—and a critical tool in clinical practice.

🔗 Read the full article

20/06/2025

☀️ Happy First Day of Summer! ☀️
Wishing you a season filled with warmth, renewal, and connection—from all of us at Family Relations: Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Science. Whether diving into research, spending time with loved ones, or soaking up some well-deserved rest, we hope your summer is meaningful and restorative.

Here’s to sunshine, fresh ideas, and strong family ties.
🌼

18/06/2025

📱💬 Strengthening Parent–Child Bonds During Deployment
Military absences can take a toll on family well-being—but digital communication offers powerful ways to maintain connection. A new study by Amy Johnson and Marg Rogers explores how Australian Defence Force families use social media and digital tools to support parent–child relationships during deployment.

From video calls to messaging apps, these technologies offer emotional connection, routine, and reassurance—though not without challenges. The findings highlight the critical role of communication access for family resilience and may inform policy decisions around tech use during deployments.

🔗 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fare.12960

17/06/2025

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Lee and her amazing students for their thoughtful, creative, and insightful contributions to our Student Showcase series. Your work interpreting and visualizing current family research brings important scholarship to life in fresh and meaningful ways.

Your talent, care, and commitment to engaging with complex topics—from co-sleeping practices to QTPOC family dynamics—have enriched this project and made its findings more accessible to educators, clinicians, and the broader community.

We’re grateful for your partnership and look forward to celebrating more student voices and perspectives in the future! 👏🎓💡

16/06/2025

🎓✨ Student Showcase – Exploring QTPOC Family Dynamics in College

This student-designed graphic captures key insights from Chan, Thacker Darrow, & Duran’s narrative inquiry into how q***r and trans people of color (QTPOC) college students navigate family bonds during a pivotal time in identity development.

The study highlights how QTPOC students redefine family amidst intersecting forces of race, gender, and sexuality—balancing relationships with family of origin while often cultivating chosen family for support and affirmation. Themes include the evolving definition of family, the impact of family on identity, and the deep interplay between racial and LGBTQ+ identities.

This research offers valuable guidance for educators, counselors, and student affairs professionals committed to inclusive, identity-affirming support in higher education.

📖 Read more: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/fare.13137

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