Aspects Of Family Functioning Research Articles

Assessing family function: older adults vs. care nurses: a cross-sectional comparative study.

This study aimed to assess family function in home care for older adults. Understanding family dynamics is essential for providing quality care to older adults choosing to age in place. In a cross-sectional study, 53 patients aged 65 or older receiving home care were evaluated, along with four home care nurses. The General Function of Family Assessment Device (FAD-GF) was used for self-assessment to examine family resources. Only 5.7% of older adults reported good family function. Strong correlations were found between assessments by nurses and older adults. Among the six aspects of family function, "problem solving," "communication," "affective responsiveness," and the overall results showed no disparities between the evaluations of older adults and nurses. Home care nurses can effectively assess family function using the FAD-GF, particularly after six months of care. This assessment can help identify family issues and enhance home care quality through nurse training in FAD-GF application.

Beyond Linear Effects: Multiple Perspectives of Mother–Adolescent Positive Parenting & Adolescent’s Problem Behavior

Discrepancies among family members’ ratings on aspects of family functioning are challenging both, methodological and interpretational. Family members’ perspectives and their discrepancies are indicators of family functioning, affecting adolescents’ psychological development. Previous research focused on linear effects, ignoring that rather extreme than the small differences in ratings might be associated with higher levels of problem behaviors, indicating a negative development. Based on 947 German mother-adolescent-dyads, this study examined how level and discrepant parenting ratings on parental warmth relate to early adolescents’ problem behaviors (3rd–6th), using LCSMs to assess the level as well as linear and quadratic discrepancy effects. This study showed that before secondary school-transition, high mother-adolescent levels in parental warmth negatively predicted emotional and social problems. After the transition, very high levels of discrepancies positively predicted problem behaviors, when modelled as quadratic effects. The study not only highlights the consideration of multiple perspectives but also the type of modeling.

Family functioning and personal growth in Italian caregivers living with a family member affected by schizophrenia: Results of an add-on study of the Italian network for research on psychoses.

To date, the role of family members in caring for relatives affected by schizophrenia has focused largely on the negative aspects of impact of the illness. The present study aimed to: (1) assess family functioning and burden of care in caregivers living in Northern, Central, and Southern Italy who looked after subjects affected by chronic schizophrenia; (2) evaluate the relationship between aspects of family functioning and burden of care, in particular personal growth (PG) of caregivers; and (3) identify variables capable of affecting PG of caregivers. A total of 136 caregivers (mean length of illness of family member more than 20 years) were recruited from 9 Italian research sites and evaluated in terms of "positive" family functioning-problem-solving, communication skills and personal goals Family Functioning Questionnaire (FFQ), burden of care, and PG Family Problems Questionnaire (FPQ). Caregivers reported an overall good family functioning with a relatively low objective and subjective burden of care. The latter was positively correlated with length of illness, with women showing a higher subjective burden than men. Reduced problem-solving skills and ability of each family member to pursue personal goals were both associated with reduced objective and subjective burden which, conversely, were both increased by inadequate support and scarce positive comments from relatives and friends. Approximately 50% of caregivers stated that "they had learned something positive from the situation," highlighting a statistically higher proportion of caregivers in southern Italy than in northern and central Italy. Caregivers' PG was associated with good family functioning, adequate professional support, and positive comments. PG also seemed to be positively influenced by support from relatives and friends (O.R. 14.306). The numerous challenges and positive aspects associated with caregiving should be duly acknowledged by mental health services and integrated into routine clinical assessment and intervention framework.

Giving Birth in Unpredictable Conditions: Association between Parents' COVID-19 Related Concerns, Family Functioning, Dyadic Coping, Perceived Social Support and Depressive Symptoms.

The way postpartum parents' COVID-19-related concerns are associated with the family environment, support resources and depressive symptoms areunder-investigated. Two hundred and forty-three new parents (132 mothers, 111 fathers) completed self-report questionnaires within an 8-week period after birth. Parental concerns for COVID-19-related life changes were assessed with the COVID-19 Questionnaire, perceived social support with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, perceived family functioning with the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales IV Package, dyadic coping behaviors with the Dyadic Coping Inventory and maternal/paternal postnatal depression with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. (a) Higher levels of COVID-19-related concerns about daily life were associated with lower levels of family communication, satisfaction and increased depressive symptomatology in both parents, and with lower levels of family functioning in mothers; (b) Maternal health care COVID-19-related concerns were linked with lower levels of family communication, lower perceived social support and with an increase in maternal depressive symptoms; and (c) COVID-19-related concerns about neonate hospitalization were associated with increased maternal depressive symptoms. Τhese findings suggest that COVID-19-related concerns had a common negative effect on both postpartum mothers' and fathers' mental health and on certain aspects of family functioning.

Relationship between family functioning and self-transcendence in patients with breast cancer: A network analysis.

For patients with breast cancer, family functioning is an important factor affecting self-transcendence, which is a key source of happiness. However, network analysis studies of family functioning and self-transcendence are lacking, particularly among patients with breast cancer. The present study investigated the network structure of family functioning and self-transcendence in patients with breast cancer and aimed to identify bridge items to provide some theoretical support for the improvement and intervention of self-transcendence in patients with breast cancer. A total of 294 patients with breast cancer were enrolled in our study. Self-transcendence was evaluated with the Self-Transcendence Scale. Family functioning was evaluated with the Family Adaptation, Participation, Growth, Affection, Resolution (APGAR) Scale. Network analyses were used for the statistical analysis. In the network of family functioning and self-transcendence in patients with breast cancer, there were 22 edges across communities, of which the 5 strongest edges connected to the 5 dimensions of family functioning are "Adaptation" with "Enjoyment of hobbies", "Participation" with "Life enjoyment", "Growth" with "Acceptance of bodily changes", "Affection" with "Life enjoyment", "Resolution" with "Help acceptance". "Adaptation" had the highest bridge expected influence value (0.30) in the family functioning community, while "Life enjoyment" had the highest bridge expected influence value (0.27) in the self-transcendence community. Complex patterns of associations existed in the fine-grained relationship between family functioning and self-transcendence in patients with breast cancer. From the perspective of network analysis, the "Adaptation" aspect of family functioning and the "Life enjoyment" aspect of self-transcendence may be the best targets for improving self-transcendence. These results have important implications to clinical practice, which provided potential targets for interventions to improve self-transcendence from the perspective of family functioning.

The New Millennium Family Functioning and Health of Generation Z: From a Socioconstructivist Perspective

Background: From whichever culture a family belongs to, scientific evidence shows the role of family functioning and relationships on the child’s health and well-being. A family can either be a source of an issue or a resource for preventing the problem, especially in a diverse country like India. The foremost step to understanding these aspects is to develop an awareness of the transitional nature of family functioning in the new millennium. Objectives: The study proposes to explore the dynamics of family functioning from the conceptualization of parents of Generation Z and intents to analyze the subsequent outcomes on the health of children and adolescents, presenting it as qualitative network construction. Methods: Rich descriptive data was collected from 60 parents by a semi-structured interview schedule consisting of 4 predecided questions. The analyses were done by ATLAS.ti7 version 7.5.16, Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS). Results: As an upshot, 2 structural networks were constructed. One network depicts the 3 aspects of family functioning, cohesion, flexibility, and communication, studied according to Indian families of the new millennium. The psychological, socioemotional, and physical impact of the functioning accumulated in the second network. The study revealed the underlying aspects, the level, and quality of all the 3 dimensions and the thought-provoking aftermath for Generation Z. Conclusion: The study offers intriguing information about the Indian family functioning of the new millennium and its descriptive association with the health of children and adolescents.

The effect of family cohesion and adaptability on career choice self-efficacy of graduates: The mediating effect of State Anxiety.

BACKGROUND:As one of the most significant background factors affecting individuals’ growth and development, family environment has a specific and essential impact on individuals’ career choices.OBJECTIVE:To examine the effect of family cohesion and adaptability on career choice self-efficacyMETHOD:This study was conducted with 584 graduates. Self-report questionnaires were used to collect data.RESULTS:The results showed that: (1) There is a significant positive correlation between family cohesion and adaptability; (2) State anxiety is significantly negatively correlated with career choice self-efficacy and family cohesion and adaptability; (3) State anxiety plays a completely mediating effect between family cohesion and career choice self-efficacy, and (4) State anxiety plays a partial mediating role in the relationship between family adaptability and career choice self-efficacy.CONCLUSION:The current study focused on the two aspects of family function and revealed the relationship between family cohesion and adaptability and career choice self-efficacy of graduates.

‘Diagnostic shock’: the impact of results from ultrarapid genomic sequencing of critically unwell children on aspects of family functioning

Rapid genomic sequencing (rGS) is being increasingly used in neonatal and paediatric intensive care units. While there is emerging evidence of clinical utility and cost-effectiveness, concerns have been raised regarding the impact of delivering genomic results in an acute care setting. To help investigate these concerns, we analysed survey data collected from caregivers whose children had received rGS through a national rapid genomic diagnosis program. The impact of rGS on families was assessed through the PedsQL2.0 Family Impact Module and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6). Sixty-one parents/carers completed the survey during the study period (response rate 48%; 61/128). Mean parent and family functioning was reduced in this sample, reflecting the stressful conditions facing families with critically unwell children. We found caregivers whose children had received a diagnostic result through rGS reported a reduced family relationships score compared to caregivers of children who did not receive a diagnosis. These findings have implications for genetic counselling practice in this setting.

GENDER ROLES AND DIMENSIONS OF FAMILY FUNCTIONING AS PREDICTORS OF SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING IN MEN AND WOMEN

Subjective well-being (a positive attitude towards life and positive affectivity) as an important indicator of mental health attracts a lot of attention in the field of positive psychology. For the sake of improving mental health, research was mainly focused on identifying factors related to it. So far, findings indicate there is a need for a better understanding of the characteristics of both individual and family environments. To that end, the aim of this study was to examine gender differences and what contributes to the subjective well-being of men and women. The study examined gender roles, masculinity and femininity, aspects of family functioning, education and the number of children. The sample included 1417 respondents who are married or in a relationship (586 men, 802 women), and the following questionnaires were used: a shorter versions of the Subjective Well-Being Scale, the Masculinity and Femininity Scale and the Family Functioning Scale, as part of the larger PORPOS2 battery. The results showed that masculinity and femininity, and adequate communication in the family are important indicators of a positive attitude towards the life of both genders. Masculinity and satisfaction with communication play a significant role when it comes to the positive affectivity in both men and women. The level of cohesiveness also plays an important role in the subjective well-being of men, and the number of children is a negative predictor of both dimensions of subjective well-being in women. Based on these results, we can conclude that a better understanding of the subjective well-being of men and women requires a more focused approach, which can be important in both research and psychotherapeutic work.

Impact of Fragile X Syndrome on Their Families

espanolEl objetivo del presente estudio es describir las alteraciones conductuales y emocionales en el sindrome de X fragil (SXF) y analizar las reperecusiones de tener un miembro con SXF en diferentes aspectos del funcionamiento familiar. Participaron 79 padres con un miembro con SXF y 80 padres con un miembro con desarrollo tipico. Los resultados mostraron que entre el 17% y el 66% de los ninos y adolescentes con SXF mostraron trastornos conductuales y emocionales significativos y menos comportamientos prosociales. Ademas, despues de controlar las dificultades emocionales y de comportamiento, nuestros resultados mostraron que las familias afectadas por SXF experimentaron un impacto mas negativo en los sentimientos relativos a la crianza de los hijos, las finanzas, los hermanos y el grado de dificultad de vivir con un nino o adolescente con SXF y mas capacidad de adaptacion familiar y cohesion que el grupo de comparacion. Como conclusion, nuestros resultados destacan que en la practica clinica es importante tener en cuenta estas diferencias al apoyar y asesorar a las familias afectadas por SXF EnglishThe aim of the present study is to describe the behavioral and emotional disturbances in the Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and to analize the impact of having a member with FXS on different aspects of family functioning. A sample of 79 parents with a member with FXS and 80 parents with a member with typical development participated in the study. Results showed that between 17% and 66% of children and adolescents with FXS displayed significant behavioral and emotional disturbances and fewer prosocial behaviors. In addition, after controlling for behavioral and emotional difficulties, our results showed that families affected by FXS experienced a more negative impact on feelings about parenting, finances, siblings, and the degree of difficulty of living with a child or adolescent with FXS, and greater family adaptability and cohesion than the comparison group. In conclusion, our results highlight that it is important to consider these differences in clinical practice when supporting and counselling families affected by FXS.

Family Functioning and Adjustment in Appalachian Youth: Moderating Role of Extracurricular Participation

Supportive family relationships and parenting practices are linked to healthy adjustment in children and adolescents. We examined the concurrent associations between aspects of family functioning and measures of adjustment in an understudied sample of low-income rural Appalachian adolescents. Also examined was whether school-based extracurricular involvement moderated the associations between these variables. Participants were 367 adolescents from multiple high schools (grades 9–12) in an Appalachian region of rural East Tennessee. Self-report measures were used to assess family relationships, extracurricular activity, internalizing and externalizing problems, and health risk behaviors; truancy data was collected from academic records. As expected, family cohesion and moral-religiosity were associated with positive adjustment in youth, whereas family conflict was associated with worse adjustment. We also found that extracurricular involvement moderated the association between both moral-religiosity and cohesion and adolescent truancy; moral-religiosity and cohesion were negatively associated with truancy when adolescents were involved in extracurricular activity. In addition, the relation between family conflict and substance use was moderated by participation in extracurricular activity; family conflict was positively associated with substance use when adolescents were involved in extracurricular activity. Findings offer preliminary support for the notion that moral-religiosity may serve a particularly important protective role for low-income Appalachian youth. Further exploration is needed with regard to the varied impact of extracurricular involvement on youth adjustment in this sample.

Levels of satisfaction with children's respite services, parental coping and family functioning.

Little is known about how parents' experiences of respite services or 'short breaks' for a child with complex medical needs relate to family functioning and the manner in which parents cope. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between parents' satisfaction with short breaks, family functioning and parental coping and to determine whether these variables change over time. The sample included 32 families receiving short breaks. A repeated measures quantitative design was used, with data collected at baseline and 12months. The main outcome variables were satisfaction with short breaks, family functioning and parental coping. At baseline, descriptive statistics showed positive levels of satisfaction with services and coping, while family functioning scores suggested more negative profiles. Also at baseline, significant negative correlations were identified between the age of the child receiving short breaks and certain approaches to parental coping. At Time 2 (n=17, 73% of possible responses), satisfaction with services was significantly positively correlated with aspects of family functioning and coping. Using dependent t tests, no evidence was found of significant change overtime in satisfaction or family functioning for the sample who completed data collection at both time points. However, a significant decrease in use of certain coping approaches was found over time. While parents' satisfaction levels with short breaks were high across test occasions, there is need for service development aimed at providing interventions that are tailored to ameliorate tension within the family and promote active parental coping over time.

Youth weight status and family functioning in paediatric primary care.

The purpose of this study is to examine the associations between family functioning and youth overweight and obesity in a sample of primary care paediatric patients. Specially, we hypothesize that caregivers of youth with an overweight/obese weight status will report more impaired family functioning. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 329 caregivers of youth ages 2 to 18 seen in paediatric primary care. Caregivers completed the Family Assessment Device General Functioning Scale and clinical demographics, including parent-reported youth height and weight to calculate body mass index (BMI). Family functioning was used as a continuous total variable, and as a dichotomous variable based on clinically impaired or healthy family functioning. Analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlations, and independent t tests. Caregivers who reported impaired family functioning based on the clinical cutoff score were more likely to report that their youth had a higher BMI and BMI z-score. Caregivers with impaired family functioning and who identified as being in two-parent families, with at least a Bachelor's degree, and a moderate to high family income were more likely to report their youth was a higher weight status. Further screening and assessment of family functioning in combination with youth weight status among a larger diverse sample of primary care paediatric patients over time will provide insight into what aspects of family functioning may contribute to maintaining a healthy lifestyle or adopting new health behaviours to prevent and/or treat obesity in youth.

There's no place like home: The associations between residential attributes and family functioning

The purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which actual (e.g., density) and perceived (e.g., crowding and distance) elements of the spatial home environment act as predictors of family functioning. Data were gathered from 164 families whose child was attending a university's preschool/kindergarten facility in a mid-sized community in the Western United States. Structural equation modeling (SEM, AMOS 19.0) was employed to examine the strength of the relations within the model. Results showed that though actual elements of the home (i.e., density) affect family functioning outcomes, perceptions of the home environment (e.g., crowding and distance) were especially influential as mediating the link between density and aspects of family functioning. Findings suggest that how individuals perceive their home environment has more of an effect on family functioning than actual home characteristics.

Sensory Features and Family Functioning in Families of Children With Autism and Developmental Disabilities: Longitudinal Associations.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (DD) commonly display unusual responses to sensory input. Previous work has suggested concurrent associations linking sensory features with aspects of family functioning, including activity participation and caregiver strain. What is unknown, however, is the extent to which sensory features affect family functioning over time, as well as the influence of received services on these relationships. To assess hypothesized longitudinal associations between sensory features and family functioning and examine interactions by group and service usage (i.e., educational and therapy services). Multigroup longitudinal observational study. Community. A volunteer sample of 81 children (50 with ASD, 31 with DD; 76% male), ages 2-12 yr, and their caregivers participated in assessments at two points, 3.3 yr apart on average. Key measures included the Sensory Experiences Questionnaire, Sensory Profile, Sensory Processing Assessment for Young Children, Tactile Defensiveness and Discrimination Test-Revised, Caregiver Strain Questionnaire, and Home and Community Activities Scale. We also measured the amount of time children received educational and therapy services. Regression analyses confirmed long-term associations linking sensory features with aspects of activity participation and caregiver strain in this population; group and service usage interactions were also identified. Sensory features can affect the everyday experiences of both children and caregivers. It is important for practitioners to understand the potentially enduring effects of children's sensory features on family functioning so as to begin to identify supportive interventions with more optimal long-term effects.

Novija istraživanja porodice u Sociloškom pregledu - doprinos jačanju discipline

The paper analyzes 72 texts relevant to the sociological study of the family, published in the Sociološki pregled/ Sociological Review journal in the period between 2000 and 2017. The analysis includes a quantitative overview of the dynamics of work publishing, characteristics of authorship, representation of topics relevant to the sociological analysis of the family, as well as a qualitative overview of the research context. Special attention is given to papers analyzing the relationship of the family and related concepts (kinship, marriage, reproduction, gender, generations, parenthood), as well as those which focus on the impact of macro social processes and changes on aspects of family functioning. The concusion presents findings on development tendencies within the discipline, as well as the characteristics of sociological study of the family in Serbia.

Understanding Trauma Normativeness, Normalization, and Help Seeking in Homeless Mothers.

Although trauma-informed approaches guide services to families experiencing homelessness, more emphasis is placed on securing housing than addressing underlying trauma contributing to housing instability. Examining the stories of 29 homeless and/or unstably housed mothers within the broader literature on family trauma and violence, chronic illness, and cultural aspects of family functioning, we define the process of trauma normativeness and normalization that may occur with repeated trauma experiences and argue that rehousing efforts must include concomitant attention to trauma and to understanding how individual, family, community, and cultural factors influence help-seeking behaviors in this vulnerable and growing population.

Family dynamics and aggressive behavior in Latino adolescents.

Despite high prevalence rates and evidence that acculturation is associated with adolescent behavioral and mental health in Latino youth, little research has focused on aggressive behavior for this population. The aim of the current study was to fill this research gap by examining the influence of several aspects of family functioning, including parent-adolescent conflict, parent worry, and parent marital adjustment, on aggression among Latino adolescents. Data come from the Latino Acculturation and Health Project (LAHP), a longitudinal investigation of acculturation in Latino families in North Carolina and Arizona. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to estimate a longitudinal rater effects model of adolescent aggression as reported by 258 Latino adolescents each paired with 1 parent for a total of 516 participants across 4 time points over a span of 18 months. Results indicated a general decline in aggression over the study window. In addition, parent-adolescent conflict and parent worry predicted higher adolescent aggression whereas parent marital adjustment predicted lower adolescent aggression. The salience of family risk factors for aggression among Latino adolescents is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

5.7 FAMILY PREDICTORS OF RISK OF DROPOUT IN FAMILY-BASED PSYCHOSOCIAL TREATMENT FOR PEDIATRIC BIPOLAR DISORDER

Family-based psychosocial treatments are critical for addressing psychosocial impairments in youth with pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD), but their effectiveness is limited if families drop out of treatment programs. Family characteristics have contributed to poor engagement in child treatment; however, no prior studies have examined whether indicators of family functioning predict dropout among youth in psychosocial treatment for PBD. By use of data from a RCT of family-based psychosocial treatment for youth with PBD, we aim to address whether aspects of family functioning are associated with risk of dropout.

How adolescents with anorexia nervosa and their parents perceive family functioning?

This study aims at examining whether adolescent girls diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and their parents differ in perceiving the different aspects of family functioning. Moreover, the discrepancy between adolescent girls and healthy controls on Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales dimensions, family communication, and family satisfaction is investigated. The study includes 36 female anorexia patients and their parents and 36 healthy controls. The results showed a different view between mothers and their daughters with regard to the dimension of rigidity. In addition, girls with anorexia nervosa were less satisfied about family environment and rated their families as less communicative, flexible, cohesive, and more disengaged, compared to controls.