Meera Patel: Sticking Together: Investigating the Impact of Family Cohesion on Children's Wellbeing

This study examined associations between family cohesion and children’s socioemotional functioning in families (N = 205) consisting of two-parent mixed-gender couples with an 8-9-year-old child.

Children’s adjustment was assessed using parent-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire scores, and family cohesion through parent reports and observed free-play and family activity interactions. Lower parent-reported family cohesion was associated with poorer child adjustment across all domains, while lower observed cohesion predicted greater conduct, hyperactivity/inattention, and peer problems. Family cohesion also buffered associations between parental depressive symptoms and poorer child adjustment.