Family Evaluation Scale Research Articles

The social and family evaluation (SAFE) scale for caregivers of individuals with disorders of consciousness: preliminary results.

Caregivers' involvement in the diagnostic and monitoring processes of the level of consciousness of patients with Disorders of Consciousness (DoC) is strongly encouraged by international guidelines, as current literature suggests a better chance to detect behavioural responses when caregivers are involved in clinical assessments. Since caregivers' involvement during clinical assessments can be difficult, the Social And Family Evaluation (SAFE) scale has been recently proposed as a standardised tool that caregivers can autonomously use to collect their opinions about the level of consciousness of patients with DoC, based on the behaviours manifested by the patients in a given time-window. Providing preliminary results concerning SAFE adoption. 22 patients with DoC were assessed through the Coma Recovery Scale-revised (CRS-r), while their caregivers filled-in the SAFE. The SAFE showed a very high internal consistency, very high test-retest reliability, and high criterion validity when correlated to the CRS-r total score. Moreover, in line with the literature, the SAFE allowed the detection of some behaviours indicative of a higher level of consciousness than those detected by clinicians through the CRS-r in more than half of the sample. Overall, these preliminary data are promising for the adoption of the SAFE to collect the opinions of the caregivers about the level of consciousness of patients with DoC, especially in those settings where it would be otherwise difficult to monitor the patients, such as long-term care structures and at home, as a tool for telemedicine allowing the monitoring of patients in remote settings.

The Relationship Between Family Communications and School Adjustment Levels of Male Adolescents Aged 14-19

This study was conducted to descriptive the relationship between family communication and school adjustment levels of male adolescents aged 14-19. This descriptive and correlational study was conducted. The sample of the study consisted of 347 male students. 80% of the universe has been reached. Data were collected using an information form, a family evaluation scale to measure their intra-family communication and a school adjustment scale to measure their school adjustment level. Data were collected from male students by face-to-face survey method. Data were summarized as mean, standard deviation, number, and percentage. T test, One Way ANOVA, Pearson Correlation test were used in the analyses. Obtained results were tested at p

Towards a New Assessment Tool for Caregivers of Patients with Disorders of Consciousness: The Social and Family Evaluation Scale (SAFE).

Monitoring the level of responsiveness of patients with Disorders of Consciousness (DoCs) represents an issue in all the settings where there is not the daily presence of clinicians, such as long-term and domestic settings. The involvement of patients’ informal caregivers (i.e., patients’ family) in such a monitoring process is thus fundamental. However, to date, no standardized tailored-made instruments exist that informal caregivers can use without the presence of clinicians, despite evidence illustrating the good accuracy of caregivers when expressing their opinions about the level of responsiveness of DoC patients. The present work aims to set the foundational knowledge, to create a standardized instrument that is able to assess the level of responsiveness of patients with DoCs by their informal caregivers. After selecting and modifying the items to be included in the new scale from the gold standard to diagnose DoCs (i.e., the Coma Recovery Scale-revised), and following a consensus process, we created the Social and Family Evaluation (SAFE) scale for caregivers of patients with DoCs. Although the SAFE needs a validation process, with the present work we provided its preliminary description along with insights into its clinical utility.

Parental Anxiety and Its Relationship with Headache in Children

We aimed to evaluate the anxiety levels of parents of patients visit to pediatric neurology outpatient clinics due to headaches. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was performed involving 154 participants. Participants were divided into a headache group (n = 80) and a control group (n = 74). The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Family Assessment Scale were used to assess parents' anxiety levels. The mean age of the headache group was 13.4±2.7 years, and the mean age of the control group was 12.2±3.3 years. Females were more common in the headache group compared to the control group (p = 0.017). There were significant differences in the socio-demographic characteristics between the groups. For the headache group, the family assessment scale total score (p = 0.046) from the family assessment scale sub-scores, the behavior control (p = 0.020), and the general functions (p = 0.034) sub-scores were significantly higher than the control group. However, no significant differences were noted with respect to problem solving (p = 0.168), communication (p = 0.520), roles (0.082), emotional reactions (p = 0.654) and showing the required attention level (p=0.943) scores using the STAI I-II (p = 0.509 / p = 0.542). Moreover, the Family Evaluation Scale subscales did not differ significantly between the groups. Childhood headaches can be an indicator of domestic pathology. Accordingly, when considering psychological factors, children with headaches should be evaluated together with familial factors, including physical examinations, laboratory, and imaging studies

Aquatic Games Effectiveness in Controlling Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children

This research aims to identify the effect of aquatic games on: all aspectsADHD in children through an evaluation scale (Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity) and learning basic swimming skills. Both researchers used the experimental approach using pretest and posttests on a single experimental group. Participants have been chosen through purposive sampling from ADHD children studying at schools in Helwan and 15th of May cities. The sample consists of 40 children between the ages of 5 and 7. This sample was divided in a pilot study group (20 children) and a main study group (20 children). 5 children have been eliminated due to irregularities in attendance; therefore, the main sample is 15 ADHD children. Results mainly showed statistically significant differences in favor of the post-test in the following: 1. Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and all of its elements as the percentage of improvement reached (31.39%) for family inattention, (23.57%) for family inattention, (24.71%) for family hyperactivity, (26.47%) for school hyperactivity, (26.29%) for family impulsivity, and (27.56%) for school impulsivity. The total of the family evaluation scale achieved (26.67%) improvement, and the school scale reached an improvement of (25.64%), making the improvement of the overall scale (26.15%) 2. There was also a noticeable improvement in favor of the post-test in basic skills like: adapting to the water, breathing, opening the eyes, floating, sliding, moving in the water, jumping and standing in the water. The rate of change in the posttest showed an increase of (236.09%-309.64%).

The Effectiveness of the Communication Training Program for Combating Violence Against Women

Domestic violence (also named as domestic abuse, battering, or family violence) is a pattern of behaviour which involves violence or other abuse by one person against another in a domestic setting, such as in marriage or cohabitation. Domestic violence against women can be categorized as physical, sexual, psychological or economical violence. It can be seen that women exposed to such types of violence develop physical or psychological problems, even in some cases the violence ends up with domestic homicide or suicide. It is thought that an educational program which will enable these women to reconstruct their self-esteem and look to the future with hope with healing and developing skills should be prepared. Therefore, Elimination of Violence Communication Training Program was prepared and it is aimed to find the effectiveness, positive/negative conditions occurring during the application of the program or the shortcomings of the program. In this experimental research, pre and post-test control group design was used. The duration of the application of the study was 16 sessions (48 hours). Quantitative data were gathered through "Family Evaluation Scale", which highlights the dimensions of domestic violence against women within the family; "Violence within the Family Scale", which highlights the violence experiences; "Communication Skills Evaluation Scale", which highlights the communication skills; "Life Satisfaction Scale", which scales the life experiences of the participants. In addition, the quantitative data were supported with observation forms, interview records and forms including participant opinions. The participants of the experimental group showed no meaningful relationship between their pre and post test results in terms of communication skills, whereas the sub-categories of violence within the familyverbal violence, emotional response of family functionality, and behaviour control- showed meaningful relationship in favour of post-test and it was found that the mean of pre and post-test results of the experimental group showed an increase in favour of post-test in terms of all dimensions of the scale.

Şiddet Davranışları Olan Çocuklara Sahip Ebeveynlere Yönelik Şiddetsiz Karşı Koyma Programının Etkisi

“Şiddetsiz Karşı Koyma” programı, şiddet ve saldırganlık içeren davranışları olan çocuk ve ergenlere sahip ebeveynler, öğretmenler ve bakım veren kişiler için geliştirilmiştir. Ebeveynlerin çocuklarıyla karşılıklı olarak gerilimi tırmandıran etkileşimleri ile etkili bir biçimde baş etmeleri için yardımcı olmayı amaçlayan yeni bir eğitim modelidir. Bu araştırmanın amacı, şiddet davranışları olan çocuklara sahip ebeveynlere yönelik uygulanan "Şiddetsiz Karşı Koyma" ebeveyn programının çocuklarda görülen şiddet ve saldırganlık davranışları, ebeveynlerin yaşadıkları stres, algıladıkları yetersizlik duyguları ve hissettikleri destek düzeyleri üzerindeki etkisini incelemektir. Araştırmanın verileri deney ve kontrol grubunda bulunan ebeveynlere uygulanan ‘Aile Değerlendirme Ölçeği’ Anne Baba Stres Ölçeği’, ve ‘Öznel Rahatsızlık Birimleri Anketi’ aracılığıyla elde edilmiştir. Söz konusu ölçekler deney ve kontrol grubu ebeveynlerine öntest, sontest ve izleme ölçümleri olarak uygulanmıştır. Bulgular incelendiğinde, ebeveynlere uygulanan programların aile içi ilişkilerde değişiklikler meydana getirdiği, çocuklarda görülen şiddet ve saldırganlık içeren davranışları azalttığı, ebeveynlerin stres ve yetersizlik duygularını anlamlı derecede düşürdüğü ve algıladıkları destek düzeylerini ise artırdığı görülmüştür. Bu sonuçlardan hareketle eğitim öğretim ortamlarında ve çocuk ve ergenlere yönelik hizmet veren diğer kurumlarda, şiddetsiz karşı koyma programının anne-babalarla işbirliği çerçevesinde uygulanması önerilmektedir.

Cyberbullying in adolescents, the effect of internet parenting styles and family functioning

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the features of cyberbullying and the relationship between cyber-bullying and internet parental style, and family characteristics. Methods: The participants were given Sociode-mographic Data Form, Cyber Bully/Victim Scale, Internet Parenting Styles Scale and the Family Evaluation Scale. The Sociodemographic Data Form includes questions about marital status, health status, educational level of parents, disciplinary punishment, smoking-alcohol consumptions, internet-mobile phone usage and methods of coping with cyberbullying. The cyberbully/victim scale allows determining whether they are subjected to a cyberbullying and/or victimization and if so, what kind of a bullying they are exposed or applied. The Internet Parenting Scale allows, such as laissez-faire/authoritarian/authoritative/permissive attitudes, to assess how parents approach to adolescents internet usage. Family Evaluation Scale enables assessment of successes and failures of family func-tions in problem solving, communication, roles, emotional reaction capability, capacity of showing interest, behavior control, general functions areas. 386 adolescents, between the ages of 12-14 (6th-8th grades) were taken to study. Results: It is determined that 153 of the adolescents were cyber victims, 93 of the adolescents were bullies, and 78 of the adolescents were bullies and victims. Cyberbullying and/or victimization is found significantly related to disciplinary punishment, threatening/to be threatened, involving in a fight, smoking-alcohol consumption, internet/ mobile phone usage, and psychiatric treatment. The attitudes of families towards internet usage of adolescents and family functioning are also found related to cyberbullying and/or victimization. Conclusion: It is observed that there is a small number of studies examining cyberbullying and internet parenting style and family functioning in the literature of cyberbullying. However, it is thought that the right attitudes of adolescents to the usage of the internet and positive relationships with adolescents can prevent or be effective in coping with cyberbullying.

Emotional and Behavioral Characteristics of Gifted Children and Their Families.

To compare the quality of life, areas of social, emotional, behavioural and mental problems and family functionality of gifted children and children of normal intelligence. The study included 49 gifted children aged 9-18 years and 56 age and gender-matched healthy children of normal intelligence. The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL), and the Children's Depression Rating Scale were applied to all the cases. The Quality of Life Scale for Children, the Depression Scale for Children, the Trait-State Anxiety Inventory, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire- Adolescent Form were completed by all the participants. All the parents completed the Family Evaluation Scale, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire- Parents Form and the Parents Form of the Quality of Life Scale for Children. Compared to children of normal intelligence, gifted children described themselves as more inattentive and lively, social functionality was reported to be low and they had a worse perception of their physical health status. Gifted boys were determined to have more depressive symptoms than gifted girls. The parents of boys of normal intelligence reported lower academic performance than the parents of giftedboys. This difference was not determined for girls between the cases and comparative groups. All the findings obtained in this study suggest that gifted children are at risk in respect of mental health. Therefore, to be able to become healthy adults in a biopsychosocial aspect, it is important for the future of gifted children that this status can be identified at an early age, that they can receive appropriate education, that support and counselling are provided for emotional needs and that parents and teachers are fully informed.

Analyzing The Relationship Between Parent’s Irrational Beliefs and Their Children’s Behavioral Problems And Family Function

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between parent’s irrational beliefs about being parent and their children’s behavioral problems and family function. The participants of the study were 520 mothers-fathers, whose children are studying primary school (7-12 years old), were eight different cities in Turkey. The parent’s irrational beliefs about being parent, was evaluated through “Parents Thought Scale”. The family function is evaluated via “Family Evaluation Scale”. And, the other dependent variable, children’s behavioral problems, was evaluated through “Behavior Evaluation Scale for Children and Youngs Aged 4-14”. Present study is a descriptive one. While analyzing the data, stepwise regression analysis and Pearson Product - Moment Correlation Coefficient were applied. In the study, positive, meaningful and mid-level relationship was found between the sub-dimension of Parents Thought Scale, expectations, and the sub-dimensions of Family Evaluation Scale, giving emotional response (.34), showing the needed care (.31), and controlling behavior (.31). The relationship which is not meaningful was found between the Behavior Evaluation Scale for Children and Youngs Aged 4-14 and the sub-dimensions of Parent’s Thought Scale, expectations (.21), perfectionism (.12). Moreover, the sub-dimension of Parent’s Thought Scale, expectations, was found as an intermediary variable in the relationship between the sub-dimension of Family Evaluation Scale, communication, and Scale for Children and Youngs Aged 4-14.

COMMUNICATION IN THE FAMILY AND THE SENSE OF COHERENCE IN MOTHERS OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY

Background: The aim of the research is an analysis of the functioning of mothers of mentally-handicapped children and adolescents. Given the absence or inconsistencies in the results of hitherto research emphasis was placed on the sense of coherence and communica tion in the family as factors conditioning the organisation of intra- and interpersonal functioning. Material/Methods: Tested were 58 mothers with handicapped children. The sense of coherence was measured using the Life Orientation Questionnaire devised by A. Antonovsky (SOC-29). To measure the quality of family communication as well as the balance within the family system employed was the Family Evaluation Scale in its Polish adaptation FACES IV (D.H. Olson). A unique questionnaire devised by the authors was employed to eva luate the child’s disability and for assembling socio-de mographic data. Results: The results of those tested for their general sense of coherence and of the components: feelings of intelligibility and reasonableness are noticeably lower than those obtained in the po pulation as a whole. The child’s age as well as the concurrent occurrence of mental disability is significant for the mothers’sense of coherence, though it is of no significance in the evaluation of the quality of family communication. In addition in balanced family systems, mothers perceive their life situation as a calling and not as a threat. Conclusions: Comprehensive family support covers supporting the development of a child with a handicap as well as individual help for the family especially in the initial phase – before and after diagnoses as it is difficult to foresee a child’s future development. Such activity helps to create a stable base to work with a handicapped member of the family.

Non-suicidal self-injury and its relationship with family characteristics among adolescents in Izmit, Turkey

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between non-suicidal self-injury and family functioning, and family characteristics. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the participants were given the sociodemographic data form and the Family Evaluation Scale. The sociodemographic data form was included questions about family characteristics like health status, marital status, educational level, smoking-alcohol-substance use of parents and parents’ occupation. Family Evaluation Scale enables assessment of successes and failures of family functions in some areas like problem solving, communication, roles, emotional reaction capability, capacity of showing interest, behavior control, general functions. Scales were applied to 555 students of 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th grades from Izmit (Turkey) central county were included in this study. Results: The prevalence of non-suicidal self-injury among young participants of this study was found 11.4%. Non-suicidal self-injury was determined in 41 girls and 22 boys of total 63 adolescences. These rates are lower than other studies reviewed in the literature. The age at onset of non-suicidal self-injury was 12.4±1.87 years. A significant difference was found between groups with and without non-suicidal self-injury in family characteristics like alcohol use of father, important event experienced by the family in the last year and chronic disease in family. Also, a significant association was found between non-suicidal self-injury and high score levels of family evaluation scale’s all subscales. Conclusion: In studies reviewed in literature it was observed that most studies include high school students and very few community studies include the period of early and mid-adolescence. Considering the age of onset of behavior, findings show that determination of preventive measures or regenerative methods in terms of family functioning is important in preventing occurrence of non-suicidal self-injury in adolescents or prevention of progression of this behavior.

The impact of parental alcohol dependence on the development and behavior outcome of children in a tertiary care hospital

Parents play a pivotal role in upbringing a child and shaping their future. However, children of alcoholics (COAs) suffer due to their parent's dependence pattern. The various domains affected encompass cognitive, behavioural, psychological, emotional and social spheres. This study was designed to assess the impact of alcohol dependence in the parent on the development and behavior of their children, so that further steps could be taken to minimize the negative influences. Aims: To study the impact of parental alcohol dependence on the development and behaviour outcome of children in various domains, alongwith the effect of the family environment. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional observational study conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital on 25 children between 6 and 18 years of age, whose atleast one parent was diagnosed as alcohol dependant. The other parent was assessed using a general health questionnaire-28. Child behaviour checklist and family evaluation scale (FES) were then applied. Statistical Analysis Used: The analysis was done according the manuals provided with the respective scales to calculate the score. Results: Both male and female COAs had high externalizing and internalizing scores. The girls have higher internalizing scores while the boys of such parents have higher externalizing scores. The FES showed dysfunction in all the three dimensions, namely the relationship, personal growth and the system maintenance. Conclusions: Our study corroborates the findings of the studies done in the past on COAs. The COAs face various affective, anxiety, somatic, attention deficit/hyperactivity, oppositional defiant conduct problems.

Parentification in late adolescence and selected features of the family system

<b>Background</b><br /> Parentification is a pattern of family interactions when either a child or an adolescent accepts roles and obligations fulfilled by adults. Being burdened with duties and taking care of parents makes separation, as well as fulfilment of development tasks and acceptance of roles suitable for a child, difficult. Simultaneously parentification might constitute a factor which forms resilience and functional coping manners. The aim of the study was to broaden the knowledge about parentification and its connections with the features of the family system.<br /> <br /> <b>Participants and procedure</b><br /> The participants were 89 people divided into triads including the youngster in his/her late teens and his/her parents. The youngsters filled in Hooper’s Parentification Inventory and Olson’s Family Evaluation Scale (FES), in Margasiński’s adaptation, and assessed the bond with family members using a drawing scale. The parents also filled in the FES, and additionally they evaluated the level of conflict intensity and tension in a partner relationship by means of a modified version of the Cantril Ladder.<br /> <br /> <b>Results</b><br /> Perception of the benefits of parentification differentiated the adolescents from well-balanced and ill-balanced families. Additionally, the stronger the bond the adolescents shared with their parents and the higher they assessed their satisfaction with family life and communications in the family, the more positive was their view of the effects of parentification. The predictor for the perception of the benefits of parentification by adolescents turned out to be the family’s cohesion.<br /> <br /> <b>Conclusions</b><br /> The assessment of the functioning of the family system is essential. When, according to adolescents, the family system is functioning effectively, they can use the family resources and positively reformulate even negative experiences concerned with parentification.

Life satisfaction and family functions as-predictors of problematic Internet use in university students

One goal of this research was to analyze problematic Internet use in university students according to such variables as gender, grade point average, satisfaction with one’s department, mother’s/father’s education level, smoking, alcohol consumption, gambling behavior, relationship between parents, length of Internet use, amount of time spent on the Internet daily, and using the Internet for academic purposes. Another goal was to analyze family functioning and life satisfaction as predictors of problematic Internet use in university students. The study sample comprised 663 university students from Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir. The Problematic Internet Use Scale, Family Evaluation Scale, Life Satisfaction Scale, and a questionnaire requesting demographic information were administered. The results revealed that the family functioning dimensions of problem solving, roles, and behavioral control, as well as gender, age, gambling behavior, perception of the relationship between one’s parents, number of years of Internet use, amount of time spent on the Internet daily, and using the Internet for academic purposes explained 48% of the total variance in Internet use. There was also a significant relationship between university students’ life satisfaction and total Internet use, rate of Internet overuse, and the social benefits and negative consequences of Internet use.

Resolving a therapeutic impasse between parents and adolescents in multidimensional family therapy.

This study explored the process of resolving an in-session impasse between a parent and an adolescent in family therapy. Focusing on altering the content and affective tone of a discussion, the "shift intervention" was used to direct a family's conversation away from trying to solve behavior management problems and toward a discussion of fundamental relationship problems. Task analysis was used to specify problematic family interactions, the intervention strategy, and successful and unsuccessful outcomes. Descriptive analyses of 5 successful and 5 unsuccessful interventions yielded a detailed performance model of therapist and family behaviors involved in breaking the impasse. The Beavers Timberlawn Family Evaluation Scale was used to verify the presence of the shift intervention in the data set and to embellish the performance model. The model suggested that adolescents became more cooperative and engaged in treatment when parents shifted from trying to control them to trying to understand them. A detailed performance map for accomplishing this shift is offered.

Resolving a therapeutic impasse between parents and adolescents in multidimensional family therapy.

This study explored the process of resolving an in-session impasse between a parent and an adolescent in family therapy. Focusing on altering the content and affective tone of a discussion, the "shift intervention" was used to direct a family's conversation away from trying to solve behavior management problems and toward a discussion of fundamental relationship problems. Task analysis was used to specify problematic family interactions, the intervention strategy, and successful and unsuccessful outcomes. Descriptive analyses of 5 successful and 5 unsuccessful interventions yielded a detailed performance model of therapist and family behaviors involved in breaking the impasse. The Beavers Timberlawn Family Evaluation Scale was used to verify the presence of the shift intervention in the data set and to embellish the performance model. The model suggested that adolescents became more cooperative and engaged in treatment when parents shifted from trying to control them to trying to understand them. A detailed performance map for accomplishing this shift is offered.

Family interactions within incest and nonincest families

The study addressed the questions, What are the interactional patterns in families in which incest occurs? and Do these patterns differ from those of families with other clinical problems? The families for the study were chosen from two outpatient clinics; the C. Henry Kempe, National Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect provided access to families with incest, and the nonincest families each had a child seen in a university child psychiatry clinic. In each of these settings, 30 families were selected in the order of referral for evaluation. All families agreed to participate. Each family was given two tasks to perform during a structured interview. The interviews were videotaped, and 15-20-minute segments were rated independently by two of the authors, who used the Beavers-Timberlawn Family Evaluation Scale to assess interactional behaviors within each family. The incest families were significantly more dysfunctional in all but one area of family interaction. The distribution of power within a family did not differentiate the two types of families. The incest families dysfunctional patterns that seemed to support and maintain the incestuous behavior were a rigid family belief system, a dysfunctional parental coalition, parental neglect and emotional unavailability, and the inability to nurture autonomy in family members.

Monitoring Family Therapy in Clinical Practice A Note on the Use of the Beavers‐Timberlawn Family Evaluation Scale

This paper is based on a thesis completed for the degree of Master of Psychological Medicine at Monash University, Melbourne. The aim was to determine if an instrument could be used to determine changes in family dynamics quantitatively and objectively during the course of family therapy. A sample of six families was evaluated on several occasions during therapy using the Beavers‐Timberlawn Family Evaluation Scale. The results are discussed in the light of the literature as it relates to outcome studies of family therapy. Certain conclusions are made regarding the process of therapy.

Family measurement techniques: Beavers-timberlawn family evaluation scale

Abstract Over the past 20 years, the clinical evaluation of family systems has been spearheaded by Robert Beavers and his colleagues at the Southwest Family Institute in Dallas, Texas. Out of their research and clinical work has evolved the Beavers System Model for Family Assessment (BSM). The BSM is a collection of three instruments the first of which was the Beavers-Timberlawn Family Evaluation Scale (1972) featured in the widely popular book, No Single Thread (Lewis et al, 1976). The Centripetal/Centrifugal Family Style Scale shortly followed (1974), and more recently (1983) the Self-Report Family Instrument was added to the BSM. Although the focus of the following critique is on the Beavers-Timberlawn Family Evaluation Scale (BT), the measure is designed to be used in conjunction with the other scales to more fully identify the health/competence of a particular family.