Levels Of Family Functioning Research Articles

Analysis on the status of family function of patients with coronary heart disease and its influence factors

Objective To explore the family function status of patients with coronary heart disease and its related influencing factors, to provide the basis for health education for patients with coronary heart disease. Methods A total of 120 patients with coronary heart disease who were diagnosed and treated in our hospital from November 2014 to October 2015 were selected by means of convenience sampling.In this paper, the family function level was investigated by the family function scale (FAD) after sinicization, and the single-factor analysis and multiple stepwise regression analysis were carried out with demographic data and disease related data. Results The total score of family function of patients with CHD was(16.88±2.88)points, and it was in a higher points than normal human.The main factors were financial burden, unattended care, disease course, disease knowledge and co-habitant. Conclusions The family function level of patients with coronary heart disease is not ideal, there are many factors.The comprehensive intervention should be given to the patients with CHD because of the unsatisfactory family functional status .Nurses should develop the targeted healthy education method for coronary cardiopathy patients with poor family function, and guide family members, relatives and friends to give mental and material support for the patients, to meet the needs of patients with love and belonging, so that the patient's life and treatment will be guaranteed to reduce complications and improve the quality of life. Key words: Coronary cardiopathy; Family function; Relative factors; Investigation

ICTs and Family Functioning: A Study on Portuguese Families with Adolescents and Emerging Adults

Nowadays, information and communication technologies (ICTs) represent an integral part of contemporary family life, introducing changes in families’ functioning. Positive, negative, and mixed aspects of this influence were identified. The present study intends to understand the relationship between ICTs and family functioning among participants from two different family life cycle stages. A total of 157 Portuguese families (307 participants from 97 families with emerging adult children and 169 from 60 families with adolescents) completed measures about the use of ICTs (an adaptation of SEFT/ETEF©) and family functioning (SCORE-15). The number of ICTs and problems related to their use were higher in families with adolescent children. The use of a higher number of ICTs was related to a better level of family functioning in both family groups. However, according to the multiple regression model, the problematic situations related to ICTs use only seem to predict a worse level of family functioning in families with adolescent children. Also, parents and children of each group differed in the number of ICTs used. Some limitations, implications for family therapy, and future research directions are discussed.

Relationships of family conflict, cohesion, and chaos in the home environment on maternal and child food-related behaviours.

This study examined how food-related behaviours differed in mothers and their preschool children by levels of family functioning (cohesion and conflict) and household disorganization (chaos). A nationally representative sample of mothers of preschoolers completed an online survey assessing food-related behaviours of themselves and their children. Maternal and child diet, eating behaviours, and health status; household availability of fruits/vegetables, salty/fatty snacks, and sugar-sweetened beverages; family mealtime atmosphere; and family conflict, cohesion, and household chaos were assessed with valid, reliable scales. Cluster analyses assigned families into low, middle, and high conflict, cohesion, and chaos groups. Participants (n=550) were 72% White, and 82% had some post-secondary education. Regression analysis examining the association of cluster grouping levels on diet-related behaviour measures revealed that positive home environments (i.e., low family conflict, high family cohesion, and low household chaos) were associated with healthier food-related behaviours (e.g., increased fruits/vegetables intake), whereas negative home environments (i.e., high family conflict, low family cohesion, and high household chaos) were associated with unhealthy food-related behaviours (e.g., greater % total calories from fat) even after controlling for sociodemographic and related behavioural factors. Findings suggest family functioning and household chaos are associated with food-related behaviours. This frequently overlooked component of family interaction may affect intervention outcomes and objectives of educational and interventional initiatives.

Parents' Reactions to the Diagnosis of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Associations Between Resolution, Family Functioning, and Child Behavior Problems.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most frequent inherited form of muscular dystrophy during childhood. DMD is a severe and progressive disease. Children initially have no symptoms, but the diagnosis is often delayed until the child is about 5 years old. Although few studies have addressed parent reactions to DMD, parental reactions to other serious childhood conditions have been documented. This study aims to understand the resolution styles that parents use in the context of their children with DMD. Data were collected on 39 parents residing in central Italy, comprising 23 mothers and 16 fathers of children with DMD of a mean age of 12 years. The participants attended a single assessment session lasting 60-80 minutes in which they were interviewed and completed the questionnaire. The participants completed the Reaction to Diagnosis Interview, which is composed of five open-ended questions about parents' memories, thoughts, and feelings about their child's diagnosis. The interviews were videotaped, transcribed, and coded. The Reaction to Diagnosis Interview classifies parents into two main classifications: "resolved" and "unresolved." In addition, the participants responded to questions about their perceptions of family functioning and about the behavioral problems of their children. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to examine the role of child characteristics, disease severity, resolution classification (yes/no), and family variables as predictors of child behavior problems. The proportion of the resolved cases found in this study (41%) was lower than the mean proportion of resolved cases (60%) found in previous studies. Within the resolved category, "thinking oriented" was the most prevalent subcategory. Resolved participants reported significantly higher scores for family functioning and family satisfaction than unresolved participants. No differences were found between the groups in terms of perceptions of family communication. The hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that a lower level of family functioning was the strongest predictor of child behavior problems. Having a higher level of disease severity and being unresolved were also identified as predictors of child behavior problems. Results highlight the relevance of parent resolution in the adjustment process of children. The findings of this study may assist professionals in the medical field to focus on family variables and the parent process of diagnosis resolution as the primary goals in the prevention of child behavior problems.

FAMIlY-CENTRED HEAlTH CARE IN A PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAl FOR CHIlDREN WITH SUICIDAl BEHAVIOR PHENOMENON

The study aims at identifying the organizational and methodological aspects of family-centered care in a psychiatric hospital for children with suicidal behavior. The objectives of the study were to assess the readiness of the parents/legal representatives to participate in correctional and rehabilitation activities in the period of hospitalization of the child, identify the key needs of the family, to formulate practical recommendations on organizational and methodological issues of family-centered care for children with suicidal behavior. The study involved all the girls (57), hospitalized in January-October 2014 about suicidal symptoms in the only psychiatric children hospital in Moscow, and 98 of their parents/legal representatives. There were used anamnestic (including the study of family history a suicide), analysis if diseases histories, clinical and psychopathological methods, system analysis of the level of family functioning and parental questionnaire during the child's hospitalization. 98 % of the parents are willing to be involved in medical activities in a varying degree. Main needs of majority of families are as follows: "Information about the state of the child, especially the development, diagnosis and prospects" (98 %) and "Training in new forms of behavior and education, which can be used at home after discharge" (92 %). Methodological basis and recommendations on the formation of organizational conditions of family-centered medical care for children with suicidal behavior were obtained and stages of family therapy were described. Readiness and needs of the family to participate in correctional and rehabilitation activities in children suggests the need to include families into prevention and treatment of suicidal behavior in children. Implementation of the concept of family-centered health care for a child with suicidal behavior suggests revising the rules adopted in the practice of child psychiatrists, psychotherapists and medical aid organization as a whole. Using not only the rehabilitation potential of the child but also his micro-social environment (the family) creates conditions for qualitative changes in the prevention, treatment and social adaptation of children with suicidal symptoms.

Academic Self-Efficacy, School Engagement and Family Functioning, Among Postsecondary Students in the Caribbean

A neglected area of study in adolescent development is family functioning in relation to adolescents’ sense of self and academic success. This study investigates students’ perceptions of their levels of family functioning (cohesiveness and adaptability) as it relates to their academic self-efficacy and school engagement, and answers the following questions: (1) Are there any significant differences in the academic self-efficacy beliefs and school engagement of Caribbean adolescents based on levels of family cohesion and family adaptability? (2) To what extent does the combination of family cohesion and family adaptability predict the academic self-efficacy and school engagement of Caribbean adolescents? Data were collected from a sample of 523 adolescents (197 males and 326 females) aged 17–19 years, enroled in postsecondary institutions in two Anglophone Caribbean countries (Barbados and St. Lucia). Results indicated that adolescents from families with balanced cohesion held significantly higher academic self-efficacy beliefs and school engagement levels than those from families with low cohesion. Regression analyses indicated that the family functioning model significantly predicted academic self-efficacy and school engagement. Interpretation of these results are discussed.

Empathy as an Essential Foundation to Successful Foster Parenting

Foster parents play a crucial role in providing safe and stable homes to maltreated children placed in out-of-home care and in doing so are tasked with many challenges. Understanding how foster parents are able to overcome the challenges inherent to fostering, to continue to foster children long term, and to maintain a healthy level of family functioning provides insight into key retention and recruitment efforts. Twenty foster families, all of whom had fostered over 5 years and rated as healthy functioning on the Family Assessment Device, participated in in-depth interviews to discuss the strengths their families relied on that allowed them to demonstrate resiliency. Empathy emerged as an essential foundation in the resiliency process. Foster families demonstrated empathy in three specific ways. First, was with the children they fostered, second was with the biological families of the children, and third was with the child welfare workers. Foster parents also attributed the empathy their children (fostered, adopted, and biological) demonstrated to the experience of being a foster family. The findings from this study have implications for both the child welfare workforce and foster families.

Patterns of Family Functioning and Diabetes-Specific Conflict in Relation to Glycemic Control and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Youth With Type 1 Diabetes.

General and diabetes-specific family functioning may be associated with youth’s adaptation to type 1 diabetes (T1D); however, empirically derived patterns of family functioning and diabetes-specific conflict among youth have not been explored in relation to T1D adaptation. Youth (N = 161, aged 12–18) with T1D and caregivers completed measures of family functioning and diabetes-specific conflict that served as indicators in latent profile analyses. Differences in glycemic control (measured by hemoglobin A1cs [HbA1c] and health-related quality of life [HRQoL]) were compared across profiles. Four profiles that varied by levels of family functioning, diabetes-specific conflict, and congruence between youth and caregiver perspectives emerged and related to T1D adaptation differently. Greater agreement between caregiver and youth and lower diabetes-specific conflict was associated with lower HbA1c and greater HRQoL. Person-centered approaches are useful to quantify how many individuals fit into a particular pattern and determine how specific family dynamics may function together differently in relation to T1D adaptation for various subgroups of the population.

Characteristics of Sexually Abused Children and Their Nonoffending Mothers Followed by Child Welfare Services: The Role of a Maternal History of Child Sexual Abuse

ABSTRACTConsidering the importance of mother’s support in the adaptation of a sexually abused child, it is relevant to determine if the mothers and children involved in an intergenerational cycle of child sexual victimization differ from dyads in which only the child has been abused. The purpose of this study was to compare mother–child dyads with sexually abused children according to whether the mother had herself been victim of child sexual abuse. The sample included 87 dyads with sexually abused children aged 3–18 years old and their mothers (44 reporting maternal and child abuse), followed by social welfare services of the province of Quebec (Canada). The two groups of mothers were compared on their past family abuse experiences and past family relations, their mental health history, their current psychological distress, their parenting behaviors, and their current levels of family functioning. Children were compared on their adaptation. Multivariate analyses indicated that mothers reporting child sexual abuse were more likely to report more other maltreatments in their childhood and greater prevalence of lifetime history of alcohol abuse disorders, dysthymia, and panic disorder compared with mothers who had not experienced CSA. Compared to children whose mothers had not experienced CSA, those whose mothers had experienced CSA showed higher rates of problems behaviors and were more likely to report having been sexually abused by a trusted person. These results highlight the specific clinical needs for the assessment and treatment for sexually abused children whose mothers experienced child sexual abuse.

Implications of gambling problems for family and interpersonal adjustment: results from the Quinte Longitudinal Study.

AimsTo evaluate (1) whether gambling problems predict overall trajectories of change in family or interpersonal adjustment and (2) whether annual measures of gambling problems predict time‐specific decreases in family or interpersonal adjustment, concurrently and prospectively.DesignThe Quinte Longitudinal Study (QLS) involved random‐digit dialling of telephone numbers around the city of Belleville, Canada to recruit ‘general population’ and ‘at‐risk’ groups (the latter oversampling people likely to develop problems). Five waves of assessment were conducted (2006–10). Latent Trajectory Modelling (LTM) estimated overall trajectories of family and interpersonal adjustment, which were predicted by gambling problems, and also estimated how time‐specific problems predicted deviations from these trajectories.SettingSoutheast Ontario, Canada.ParticipantsCommunity sample of Canadian adults (n = 4121).MeasurementsThe Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) defined at‐risk gambling (ARG: PGSI 1–2) and moderate‐risk/problem gambling (MR/PG: PGSI 3+). Outcomes included: (1) family functioning, assessed using a seven‐point rating of overall functioning; (2) social support, assessed using items from the Non‐support subscale of the Personality Assessment Inventory; and (3) relationship satisfaction, measured by the Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale.FindingsBaseline measures of ARG and MR/PG did not predict rates of change in trajectories of family or interpersonal adjustment. Rather, the annual measures of MR/PG predicted time‐specific decreases in family functioning (estimate: −0.11, P < 0.01), social support (estimate: −0.28, P < 0.01) and relationship satisfaction (estimate: −0.53, P < 0.01). ARG predicted concurrent levels of family functioning (estimate: −0.07, P < 0.01). There were time‐lagged effects of MR/PG on subsequent levels of family functioning (estimate: −0.12, P < 0.01) and social support (estimate: −0.24, P < 0.01).ConclusionsIn a longitudinal study of Canadian adults, moderate‐risk/problem gambling did not predict overall trajectories of family or interpersonal adjustment. Rather, the annual measures of moderate‐risk/problem gambling predicted time‐specific and concurrent decreases in all outcomes, and lower family functioning and social support across adjacent waves.

Mother-Child Discrepancy in Perceived Family Functioning and Adolescent Developmental Outcomes in Families Experiencing Economic Disadvantage in Hong Kong.

Though growing attention has been devoted to examining informant discrepancies of family attributes in social science research, studies that examine how interactions between mother-reported and adolescent-reported family functioning predict adolescent developmental outcomes in underprivileged families are severely lacking. The current study investigated the difference between mothers and adolescents in their reports of family functioning, as well as the relationships between mother-reported and adolescent-reported family functioning and adolescent developmental outcomes in a sample of 432 Chinese single-mother families (mean age of adolescents=13.7years, 51.2% girls, mean age of mothers=43.5years, 69.9% divorced) experiencing economic disadvantage in Hong Kong. Polynomial regression analyses were conducted to assess whether discrepancy in family functioning between mother reports and adolescent reports predicted resilience, beliefs in the future, cognitive competence, self-efficacy and self-determination of adolescents. The results indicated that adolescents reported family functioning more negatively than did their mothers. Polynomial regression analyses showed that the interaction term between mothers' reports and adolescents' reports of family functioning predicted adolescent developmental outcomes in Chinese single-mother families living in poverty. Basically, under poor adolescent-reported family functioning, adolescent development would be relatively better if their mothers reported more positive family functioning. In contrast, under good adolescent-reported family functioning, adolescents expressed better developmental outcomes when mothers reported lower levels of family functioning than those mothers who reported higher levels of family functioning. The findings provide insights on how congruency and discrepancy between informant reports of family functioning would influence adolescent development. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

'Breakfast: how important is it really?' A response.

'Breakfast: how important is it really?' A response.

The buffering effect of family functioning on the psychological consequences of headache

The current study aimed to examine whether high family functioning mitigates the association between headache intensity and distress. The sample consisted of 124 patients with chronic or recurrent headache. Patients completed validated questionnaires about headache intensity, family functioning, and distress. Hierarchical regression analyses were performed to examine the interaction between headache intensity and family functioning on distress. Headache intensity was positively associated with distress (r = .28, p = .002). As hypothesized, family functioning moderated this association (B = −.01, p = .023). More specifically, the positive association between headache intensity and distress was significant only among patients with lower family functioning (B = .01, p < .001) and not among patients with higher levels of family functioning (B = .006, p = .075). Functional families appear to buffer the distress level in patients; they showed relatively low levels of distress regardless of the severity of their headache. In contrast, patients with dysfunctional families who experienced more pain reported more distress, presumably because they did not receive adequate help and support from these families. This study underlines the importance of a broader perspective on family dynamics in coping with pain.

Influence of family function and social support intervention on insulin treatment compliance in patients with diabetes mellitus

Objective To discuss the influence of family function and social support on insulin treatment compliance in patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods A total of 368 diabetic patients diagnosed using insulin treatment were selected between March 2013 and May 2014 in outpatient department of endocrinology department. Situations of Insulin treatment compliance, family function, social support were investigated by questionnaire. Results Insulin treatment compliance were good in 202 cases (54.9%), poor in 120 cases (32.6%) and very poor in 46 cases (12.5%). The cases of different levels of family function were 183 (49.7%) with a high level, 82 (22.3%) with a general level and 103 (28.0%) with dereliction of duty level. The cases of low, a general and a high level of social support were 119 (32.3%), 108 (29.3%) and 141 (38.3%). Multiple regression analysis showed that the main factors influencing the compliance of insulin treatment were age, education degree, marital status, occupation, monthly income, payment methods, disease duration, family function and social support. Conclusions When the scores of family function and social support are higher, the treatment compliance is higher too. The nursing staff should improve patient′s family function and social support in order to improve the patients′ insulin treatment compliance, so as to improve patients′ quality of life. Key words: Diabetes mellitus; Insulin; Family function; Social support; Patient compliance

Examination of relation between parental acceptance-rejection and family functioning with severity of depression in adolescents with depression

Objective: Aim of the study was to examine the associations between severity of depression in adolescence and parent attitudes/family functioning. Methods: Thirty adolescents with depression and 30 age and gender matched controls; and their parents participated in this study. Adolescents were evaluated by ‘Disorders and Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version’. Perceived parent attitudes was assessed by ‘The Parental Acceptance-Rejection/Control Questionnaire’. ‘The Childhood Depression Inventory’ was administered to evaluate severity of depression in adolescents. Family functioning was assessed by ‘The Family Assessment Device’ which was filled by both parents. Results: Adolescents with depression perceived their mothers and fathers as more rejecting than did adolescents without depression. There wasn’t a significantly different between perceived parental control levels in two groups. In mother-reported family functioning scores including problem solving, communication, roles, affective, responsiveness, behavior control and general functioning in depression group were higher than those in controls. In father-reported family functioning scores including problem solving and affective involvement in depression group was higher than that in controls. Adolescents’ depression levels were positively correlated with perceived paternal rejection levels and impairment of family functioning levels. There wasn’t a significant relation between adolescents’ depression severity and perceived paternal control levels. Discussion: Our results suggest that adolescent depression was associated with both perceived maternal and paternal rejection and impairment in family functioning. Long-term follow-up studies are required to determine causal/temporal relationships between adolescent depression with parent attitudes and family functioning.

Aggression in Prison Service Personnel and its Causation

Any work in total institutions, including correctional facilities and remand centres, requires special mental and physical qualifications; the personnel are exposed to stress, which, consequently, can lead to various aggressive behaviours. In the article entitles: Aggression in Prison Service Personnel and its Causation its authors have put forward the following research problems: 1. Is there any association between the occupational stress level and the aggression level in Prison Service employees? 2. Is there any association between the level of family functioning and the aggression level in Prison Service employees? 3. Do the factors of dwelling place, workplace, seniority and the position in the chain of command affect dependence between stress, family functionality and aggression level in Prison Service employees? In conclusion, dependences among the defined variables were shown, proving association between stress level and aggressive behaviours in relation to person's dwelling place and workplace, seniority and position in the chain of command as well as respondents' family functionality.

Factors Influencing Family-function in Families of Pathological Gamblers

Purpose: This study was done to identify levels of family function, codependency, depression, and self-esteem, and to identify factors influencing family function in families pathological gamblers. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used. Participants in the survey for this study were 103 families pathological gamblers from gambling counseling G center in Gyung-gi province. Data were collected from January to December, 2012 using self-report structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and Stepwise regression with SAS program. Results: Codependency, depression, self-esteem and family function showed strong correlations (p<.001). Family status, type of housing tenure, codependency and self-esteem were identified as factors influencing family function in families pathological gamblers. These variables explained 27% of family function. Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that these variables should be considered in developing nursing intervention programs to improve family function in families pathological gamblers.

Contribution of the family environment to depression in Korean adults with epilepsy

PurposeDepression is common in adults with epilepsy and an important factor that affects quality of life in these individuals. However, there are few studies on the interactions between epilepsy and family factors in adults and we here investigate this association. MethodsThis cross-sectional, multicenter study collected data on 391 adults with epilepsy and their caregivers recruited from 27 hospitals throughout Korea. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Stigma Scale, and Caregiver Burden Inventory (CBI) were used to evaluate the study population. Multivariate analysis was conducted using hierarchical linear regression. The Sobel test and structural equation modeling were used to examine interrelationships among the potential factors. ResultsThe mean patient BDI score was 16.3 (SD=11.1). Depressive symptoms (BDI≥10) were in 68.3% and 57.0% in patients and their caregivers, respectively. Hierarchical linear regression analysis only identified caregiver BDI (β=0.219; p<0.001) as an independent factor related to patient BDI. The mediational model suggested that caregiver BDI mediated the effects of other family factors on patient BDI: caregiver's educational level (p=0.002), caregiver's CBI score (p<0.001), caregiver's Stigma Scale score (p<0.001), and family APGAR score (p<0.001). In addition, structural equation modeling showed that the relation between caregiver and patient BDI was unidirectional. ConclusionCaregiver depression is the most important contributor to depression in adults with epilepsy. The other family factors such as caregiver's perception of burden and the level of family function are indirectly correlated with patient depression via the mediating effects of caregiver depression.

The Influence of Culture-Specific Personality Traits on the Development of Delinquency in At-Risk Youth.

The association between culture-specific personality variables and family factors, and juvenile delinquency, was assessed in a sample of 402 adolescents of Chinese ethnicity between 12 and 17 years of age (Mage = 15.13, SD = 1.41; 135 girls), a subgroup of whom were considered at risk for juvenile delinquency owing to addictive behavior tendencies. Culture-specific personality variables were assessed using the Chinese Personality Assessment Inventory-Adolescent version Interpersonal Relatedness factor. The General Function subscale of the Chinese version of the Family Assessment Device was utilized to assess the influence of perceived levels of family functioning. Both culture-specific personality variables and non-culture-specific familial factors were significantly and negatively associated with self-reported juvenile delinquency (p < .001). However, in a sample of at-risk adolescents, only a culture-specific variable measuring orientation toward the family was able to predict self-reported juvenile delinquency (p < .001). Implications of the current results are discussed.

Prevalence of Pathological Internet Use in a Representative German Sample of Adolescents: Results of a Latent Profile Analysis

Background: Pathological internet use is of increasing significance in several industrial nations. Sampling and Methods: We surveyed a representative German quota sample of 1,723 adolescents (aged 14-17 years) and 1 caregiver each. We conducted a latent profile analysis to identify a high-risk group for pathological internet use. Results: Overall, 3.2% of the sample formed a profile group with pathological internet use. In contrast to other published studies, the results of the latent profile analysis were verified not only by self-assessments of the youth's but also by external ratings of the caregivers. In addition to the pathological internet use, the high-risk group showed lower levels of family functioning and life satisfaction as well as more problems in family interactions. Conclusions: The results showed a considerable prevalence of pathological internet use in adolescents and emphasized the need for preventive and therapeutic approaches.