Translational Issues in Psychological Science, Vol 11(4), Dec 2025, 373-378; doi:10.1037/tps0000489
Family systems are central to understanding development and well-being across the lifespan. This special section integrates research examining how diverse family processes shape socioemotional functioning, health, and relationships within broader cultural and contextual environments. Across three themes, the articles highlight distinct yet interconnected pathways through which family dynamics influence individual and family outcomes. The first theme, parenting influences on socioemotional outcomes, explores how emotional closeness, parenting strategies, and parents’ early experiences contribute to offsprings’ psychological adjustment. The second theme, cultural and contextual influences on family health and well-being, examines how sociocultural norms, systemic oppression, and contextual stressors intersect with family functioning and well-being. The third theme, relational dynamics in diverse family contexts, highlights the role of parent–child relationships, coparenting quality, and parent racial socialization in shaping outcomes. Collectively, these articles demonstrate how family dynamics are embedded within broader sociocultural and structural contexts. By synthesizing findings across diverse populations and developmental periods, this special section advances understanding of the multifaceted ways family environments contribute to risk and resilience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)