Abstract
Family building (FB) is a building where residents of different flats are close relatives. Being quite common in metropolitan areas, these unique psychosocial environments remain underexamined. We aimed to research into the interactions within the family and psychosocial features of FBs. One hundred and one children living in FBs and FB-experiences of their parents were assessed by semi-structured interviews using K-SADS-PL. Mothers scored their satisfaction from FB-lifestyle in the scale of 0-100. The sample consisted of 35 girls and 66 boys. Mean age was 108±37.4 months. ADHD and anxiety disorders were the common diagnoses. Eighty-two families lived with paternal relatives. Number of relativeneighbors in the building changed between 2-10. Forty-one mothers scored ≤50 for their satisfaction; 58% believed FBs affected their children’s symptoms negatively. Examining the perceived advantages and disadvantages of FBs, ‘extreme criticism’ and ‘social support’ were the decisive items to predict mothers’ satisfaction levels. Having both positive and negative effects, FB-lifestyle seem to complicate interpersonal relations within the family. This study has revealed some preliminary findings, but further studies are required in the field.
Highlights
Bringing two continents together, Turkey has a great multiplicity of cultures
The study was conducted among patients who were admitted to Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Outpatient Clinic in Marmara University Hospital. 101 families that live in Family building (FB) volunteered to take part
As a unique sociocultural environment in Turkey, it was important to have a better understanding on the FBs, and their impact on children and families
Summary
People living in urbanized areas have European life styles; whereas in the suburbs of big cities and rural parts of the country, people live more traditional and conservative lives.[1]. Primitive FBs were formed, as the shanty owners built second and third floors to accomodate comings of migrated relatives and newlyweds. Later on instead of their shanties, constructers started to build FBs for these families. FBs today are jerrybuilt buildings with several floors and apartment units where relatives live in seperate apartments. Childhood family environments have a crucial role in mental and physical health development.[4]. This unique environment needs to be acknowledged further. In this study we aimed to research into the life in FBs; in terms of childrens’s psychopathology, psychosocial features and interactions within the family
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
