Feetham Family Functioning Survey Research Articles

Factors Affecting Family Management Among Chinese Parents of Children With Leukemia: A Multisite Study.

Effective family management can improve the ability of children's families to cope with the disease. However, the family management styles of children with leukemia are unknown. This study used a family management style framework and structural equation model to determine the direct and indirect predictors of family management of children with leukemia. A total of 496 parents of children with leukemia completed the Family Management Measure, the Feetham Family Functioning Survey, the Social Support Rating Scale, and a demographic family information form. We used structural equation modeling to explore the direct and indirect effects of the study variables on family management styles. Family functioning, family income, parental education level, and geographic location affect family management directly, among which family functioning has the most significant coefficient in the model (0.53). Siblings and social support can affect family management through the mediating effect of family functioning. Employment change can directly affect family management (-0.27) and indirectly affect family functioning (-0.08). Our results support the family management style framework. Individual and family factors such as family income, parental education level, geographic location, employment change, siblings, and social support contribute to the ease or difficulty of family management. In addition, family functioning can also mediate between contextual influences and family management styles. Family functioning plays a vital role in relationships between contextual influences and family management. We can construct family management interventions according to family management influencing factors.

Impact on Family Functioning of Immediate Spica Casting for Pediatric Femur Fractures: An Ecological Study

Background: Traditional treatment for femoral shaft fractures in children aged 6 months to 6 years old is closed reduction and immediate spica casting. Pediatric femur fracture and spica cast treatment place unique burdens and stresses on the family. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact on the family from an ecological perspective of immediate spica casting for femoral shaft fractures in children using appropriate validated family functioning questionnaires. Methods: Families of 46 children aged 0.5 to 6.0 years old who were treated with immediate one and a half leg spica casting for femur fracture were surveyed using the Impact on Family Score (IFS), the Feetham Family Functioning Survey (FFFS), and qualitative comments. The impact of spica cast treatment on family functioning was determined for multiple domains and compared between subgroups. Results: Spica cast treatment for pediatric femur fractures had major impacts on the families of 46 children with a mean age of 2.9 years (range, 0.5–6.0 years) across multiple domains. The IFS demonstrated greater impact of spica cast treatment than treatment for children with major chronic illnesses. There was a greater impact on family for school age children (5–6 years old) compared to younger children (0.5–4 years old) for the overall IFS score, the general impact IFS domain, the disruption of family IFS domain, the coping IFS domain, and the overall FFFS discrepancy score. There was greater impact on family for children of working parent(s) compared to children with a parent at home for the overall IFS score, the general impact IFS domain, the disruption of family IFS domain, the coping IFS domain, the financial impact IFS domain, and the overall FFFS discrepancy score. There was no correlation between duration of time spent in hip spica cast with either IFS or FFFS discrepancy score. Conclusions: Pediatric femur fracture and spica cast treatment can have a major impact on family functioning, particularly in school age children and in families with working parents. Providers should consider the impact of treatment on family functioning and recognize that each patient and family unit require education and varying levels of support. Education to families of children undergoing spica cast treatment may help prepare them for the various ways their household dynamics could be affected throughout their child’s treatment.

Correlation analysis between relocation stress, family function and coping strategy in parents of children transferred from Intensive Care Unit

Objective To investigate and analyze the relationship between relocation stress, family function and strategy in parents of children transferred from Intensive Care Unit (ICU) . Methods Using the method of cross-sectional study, the parents of children transferred from ICU to general ward in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from October 2018 to March 2019 were selected as the subjects of study by convenience sampling. General Information Questionnaire, Family Relocation Stress Scale (FRSS) , Feetham Family Functioning Survey (FFFS) , and the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP) were used to evaluate the relocation stress level and analyze the relationship between scores of FRSS, FFFS, and CHIP. A total of 200 questionnaires were distributed and 179 valid ones were retrieved, yielding an effective recovery rate of 89.5%. Results The total score of FRSS of the 179 ICU-transferred children's parents was (34.52±8.46) , which was in a high level of stress; the total average score of FFFS was (1.27±1.14) ; the total score of coping style use was (144.57±13.57) in CHIP, and the total score of coping style effect was (78.20±14.83) ; correlation analysis showed that each dimension and total score of FFFS was negatively correlated with the level of relocation stress of parents (P<0.05) , and positively correlated with the frequency and role of styles (P<0.05) . Conclusions The relocation stress of ICU-transferred children's parents is serious. Family function and style are closely related to the level of relocation stress. Medical staff should pay attention to the adaptation of families in the process of transfer, encourage parents to adopt more positive ways to cope with diseases and improve the overall health of children and families. Key words: Intensive Care Unit Ward; Parent; Transfer; Relocation stress; Family function; Coping method

Simultaneous Training for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Their Parents with a Focus on Social Skills Enhancement.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of simultaneous training for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their parents, with a focus on social skills enhancement (STSSE) by evaluating behavioral changes in children with ASD and changes in family functioning. STSSE was conducted on 17 children of elementary school age with ASD and their parents. Changes in scores on the social skills scale for education (SS-scale), the child behavior checklist, the Feetham Family Functioning Survey (FFFS), and the confidence degree questionnaire for families (CDQ) were used to assess the effectiveness of STSSE. Improvements were seen for “Communication Skills” on the children’s SS-scale (p = 0.029). Significant improvements were seen in the mothers’ FFFS scores for “The 4th factor: illness and worries” (p = 0.016) and in the median CDQ scores for one of 18 items after STSSE (p = 0.01). Although additional studies with larger sample sizes will be necessary before these findings are generalizable, the positive changes seen in both parents and children as a result of STSSE are promising.

Identifying Factors Related to Family Management During the Coping Process of Families with Childhood Chronic Conditions: A Multi-Site Study

This study was designed to determine the key predictors for each aspect of family management of families with children who have chronic conditions in China. The participants included 399 caregivers whose children have chronic illnesses. We used the following instruments: Child Behavior Checklist; Feetham Family Functioning Survey; and Family Management Measures. The final modes of the hierarchical regression explained 29-48% of the variance in aspects of family management. More family support should be provided for those with low family income, children with renal and genetic disorders and rheumatic diseases and those living in rural areas. Child and family functioning affects family management.

Discrepancies between couples' perceptions of family functioning in child-rearing Japanese families.

This study examined discrepancies in couples' family functioning scores on the Japanese version of the Feetham Family Functioning Survey, which evaluates both internal and external family functioning, and the relationship of family demographic characteristics to such discrepancies. Participants were 313 husband and wife pairs with child(ren) attending nursery school. The discrepancies were significantly related to: the presence of a family member living with a disease/illness; the number of children; mean age of the children; and annual household income. A possible factor that may explain the discrepancies was question design, that is, use of "you" or "your," and the inclusion of questions concerning intrafamily issues. The findings indicated that family-related perceptions by each individual family member may differ. Nurses should therefore be aware that information from just one family member will not necessarily represent the family's actual situation.

Study on the features of psychosocial behavioural problems and family function of child with cancer

Objective To explore the features of psychosocial behavioural problems and family function of child with cancer. Methods Cluster random sampling was conducted to recruit 240 caregivers whose children with cancer in 8 general hospitals in Beijing and Tangshan from 2012 to 2013.Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL)and Feetham Family Functioning Survey(FFFS)were used to investigate. Results The rate of abnormal behavior was higher in cancerous child (25.4% ) than that in healthy child (12.97% ) (P 3years, and lower relationships between the family and each individual (P<0.05). Conclusion Healthcare professionals should actively provide family support to improve family functioning and decrease psychosocial behavioural in child with cancer. Key words: Neoplasme; Child; Psychosocial behavioral problems; Family function

Changes in family functioning for cancer patients undergoing surgery for the first time and their spouses

The purpose of the present study, involving patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia for the first time and their families, was to examine changes in family functioning during the period before surgery and one month after it. Cancer patients who had never received surgical treatment and their families underwent the FFFS (Feetham Family Functioning Survey) Japanese version I. For both patients and their spouses, the level of importance of family functioning before the patients underwent surgery was higher, compared to after they received treatment. One month after surgery, the importance level of family functioning associated with “the relationship between the family and subsystems” for patients was significantly lower, and the importance level associated with “the relationships between the family and each family member” for spouses was significantly lower. This was because patients undergoing cancer surgery for the first time placed more importance on the relationship with medical professionals (as a subsystem), rather than family members. To cope with the crisis situation - patients undergoing their first surgery for cancer, their spouses desired to help each other with patients and other family members. When a cancer patient receives surgical treatment for the first time, it is important for health care professionals to establish appropriate relationships with them. Health professionals, nurses in particular, are also required to take time to provide intervention, including a proper explanation of treatment and support. It is necessary for medical professionals to help patients’ spouses accept the crisis situation - their families undergoing cancer surgery for the first time, confirm their roles, and support the patients.

Development and Testing of the Survey of Family Environment (SFE): A Novel Instrument to Measure Family Functioning and Needs for Family Support

Hohashi's Concentric Sphere Family Environment Model (CSFEM; Hohashi & Honda, 2011) is a newly proposed family nursing theory for holistically understanding the family environment that acts on family well-being. The purpose of this article is to develop and psychometrically test the Japanese version of the Survey of Family Environment (SFE-J), grounded in the CSFEM, for measuring family's perceived family functioning and family's perceived needs for family support. The SFE-J is a 30-item self-administered instrument that assesses five domains (suprasystem, macrosystem, microsystem, family internal environment system, and chronosystem) and has been subjected to rigorous reliability and validity investigations among paired partners in child-rearing families (N of family = 1,990). Internal consistency reliability was high as measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficients. Temporal stability over a 2-week interval was supported by high (substantial or perfect) and significant intraclass correlation coefficients. The total score for the SFE-J was significantly correlated with the Japanese version of the Feetham Family Functioning Survey (FFFS-J), indicating an acceptable concurrent validity. Construct validity was supported by a confirmatory factor analysis that evaluated the five-factor structure to measure the concept of CSFEM. Results also demonstrate that the SFE-J family functioning scores show no significant differences between paired partners. The SFE-J is a reliable and valid instrument to assess not only intrafamily functioning but also interfamily functioning and, by identifying items/domains with high requirements for family support, serves to facilitate the providing of appropriate support to families.

Family Functioning of Child-Rearing Japanese Families on Family-Accompanied Work Assignments in Hong Kong

Although the number of employees on overseas assignments accompanied by their families has increased steadily, little is known about the effects of this experience on family functioning. Japanese families on family-accompanied assignments living in Hong Kong were compared with families living in Japan (consisting of 135 and 248 paired partners, respectively). Applying an ecological framework, family functioning was examined using the Feetham Family Functioning Survey-Japanese (FFFS-J). Japanese wives living in Hong Kong rated family functioning lower, particularly in the area of "relationship between family and family members." Between paired marital partners living in Hong Kong, the level of satisfaction in the area of "relationship between family and society" was significantly lower for wives than for husbands. This study provides application of the family ecological framework in families in a multicultural environment and identifies potential areas for family assessment and intervention that may of interest to health care professionals who care for families living away from their home countries.

Families with children who are technology dependent: normalization and family functioning.

This cross-sectional study examined family functioning and normalization in 103 mothers of children ≤16 years of age dependent on medical technology (mechanical ventilation, intravenous nutrition/medication, respiratory/nutritional support) following initiation of home care. Differences in outcomes (mother's depressive symptoms, normalization, family functioning), based on the type of technology used, were also examined. Participants were interviewed face-to-face using the Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire, the Functional Status II-Revised Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, a Normalization Scale subscale, and the Feetham Family Functioning Survey. Thirty-five percent of the variance in family functioning was explained primarily by the mothers' level of depressive symptoms. Several variables were significant predictors of normalization. Analysis of variance revealed no significant difference in outcomes based on the type of technology used. Mothers of technology-dependent children are at high risk for clinical depression that may affect family functioning. This article concludes with clinical practice and policy implications.

Validity and Reliability of the Chinese Version of the Feetham Family Functioning Survey (FFFS)

A Chinese version of the Feetham Family Functioning Survey (Chinese FFFS) was developed and psychometrically tested using a sample of 317 child-rearing mothers in Hong Kong. The Chinese FFFS is a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 25 items from which an instrument discrepant score (d score) can be extracted. The results from the confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory factor analysis confirm that the Chinese FFFS has a five-factor structure based on the family ecological model, thereby affirming its construct validity. Cronbach's alpha for d scores was .91, indicating a high internal consistency. In the test-retest study of 39 mothers, the correlation coefficient for "total d score" over a 2-week period was .82, which showed high test-retest reliability. The highest discrepant scores in family functioning were at the level of the marital relationship, which requires family nurses to be skilled at assessing and intervening at this family subsystem.

The impacts of distance to hospital on families with a child with a chronic condition

Children with chronic conditions and their families face many similar challenges that can be stressful for the family including, daily caregiving activities, financial difficulties caused by unexpected expenses, and increased use of health services to treat and help manage the condition. Many of these families, in addition to facing daily caregiving responsibilities, must travel substantial distances to access some of the necessary aspects of their child's health care. In this study, the Burke et al. (1994–1996) data of repeatedly hospitalized children and their families are used to explore a geographical dimension of family impact, distance. Outcome measures from the Feetham Family Functioning Survey and the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress are analyzed using exploratory and multivariate analysis. Results show that distance to hospital plays a role in the two areas of family life regarding relationships within the immediate family, and issues surrounding the ability to maintain the child in the family home. The implications of the results for family, health care intervention, and government policies and guidelines are discussed.

Effects of Stress-Point Intervention With Families of Repeatedly Hospitalized Children

Parents of repeatedly hospitalized children with chronic conditions are considered veterans of the health care system. Yet each hospitalization presents unique problems, can be more stressful, and has potential for lasting problems. A family-focused, supportive intervention, Stress-Point Intervention by Nurses (SPIN), was designed to reduce family problems. It was hypothesized that parents who participated in SPIN compared with those with usual care would have more satisfaction with family functioning and better parent coping after their children’s hospitalizations. A three-site clinical trial with random assignment of 23 ambulatory clinic nurses and their respective child-patients and families to experimental SPIN or usual care control groups was employed with 115 children aged 1 through 15. The Feetham Family Functioning Survey and Coping Health Inventory for Parents were completed before hospitalization and 3 months after discharge. SPIN parents were more satisfied with family functioning and had better parental coping after hospitalization than parents who received usual care.

Deaf and Hearing Parents?? Perceptions of Family Functioning

The purpose of this descriptive study was to compare Deaf and hearing parents' perceptions of family functioning. The Feetham Family Functioning Survey (FFFS) was administered in American Sign Language on videotape to 40 Deaf mothers and fathers and in its original written English form to a comparison group of 40 hearing mothers and fathers. There were no statistically significant differences in FFFS discrepancy (D) subscale scores among Deaf versus hearing parents. Deaf and hearing parents' scores on the FFFS importance (C) subscale items were used to identify the 10 areas of family functioning most important to the parents. Agreement among Deaf and hearing parents was noted on 7 of 10 items ranked as most important. One difference was that Deaf parents ranked leisure/recreational activities as more important than hearing parents.

Deaf and Hearing Parents?? Perceptions of Family Functioning

The purpose of this descriptive study was to compare Deaf and hearing parents' perceptions of family functioning. The Feetham Family Functioning Survey (FFFS) was administered in American Sign Language on videotape to 40 Deaf mothers and fathers and in its original written English form to a comparison group of 40 hearing mothers and fathers. There were no statistically significant differences in FFFS discrepancy (D) subscale scores among Deaf versus hearing parents. Deaf and hearing parents' scores on the FFFS importance (C) subscale items were used to identify the 10 areas of family functioning most important to the parents. Agreement among Deaf and hearing parents was noted on 7 of 10 items ranked as most important. One difference was that Deaf parents ranked leisure/recreational activities as more important than hearing parents.

Impact on families caring for an infant with apnea.

This study investigated the impact on the two primary caretakers of infants with apnea in a monitored and nonmonitored (Theophylline) population. Twenty-one caretaker pairs were surveyed at three time points using the Profile of Mood States Survey, Feetham Family Functioning Survey, and Impact-on-Family Scale. Results indicated no significant difference between the two groups on any of the three time points. Significant differences were found between individuals within the same caretaker pair. Issues over care of a new infant were most difficult for new mothers. Family and friend support was found most helpful.

Assessing Family Functioning Across Three Areas of Relationships

The construct of family functioning is of interest to nurses. This article describes the Feetham Family Functioning Survey (FFFS), its theoretical premises, content, format, and scoring. Also presented is the analysis of preliminary data which addresses the instrument's reliability and validity. The