Perceptions Of Family Functioning Research Articles

An exploratory study of the impact of an adolescent's eating disorder on Chinese parents' well-being, marital life and perceived family functioning in Shenzhen, China: implications for social work practice

In this paper, the author reports the results of an exploratory study conducted in Shenzhen, China on how an eating disorder in an adolescent or adult child in the family would affect the parents' well-being, quality of marital life and the perceived family functioning. Out of 33 patients suffering from eating disorders and referred for family treatment, 18 mothers and 15 fathers participated in this study. The data were gathered using a standardized questionnaire comprising three measures, namely the Symptom Check-List-90-R, the Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Family Assessment Device. The results of the study have shown that the parents' well-being was negatively affected, especially for the mothers, whose self-reported depression and anxiety levels were higher than the fathers'. The parents also perceived family functioning to be less satisfactory since the onset of the disorder, with least satisfaction reported on Affective Involvement, Affective Responsiveness, Roles and Behaviour Control. However, the onset had no negative effect on the parents' marital life. Implications of the study for social work practice are discussed.

The Parenting Journey of Mothers of Young Adults with Multiple Impairments

Parenting children with cerebral palsy can impact parental health and life satisfaction but few studies have addressed parenting a young adult with multiple impairments. This mixed methods study examined 21 mothers’ well being at 2 time points; when their child with cerebral palsy was 13–22 years old and when their child was 20–30 years old. Scores on three questionnaires indicated that, on average, mothers’ life satisfaction, social support, and perceptions of family functioning did not change significantly between assessment points. Six mothers reported low life satisfaction at both time points. Qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews at Time 2 revealed that 15 mothers reported physical and/or emotional health challenges as a result of the parenting demands. Their work choices were also affected. For most mothers, their experiences of parenting young adults with extensive impairments had influenced their views of disability, themselves, and life in a positive manner.

Grandmothers and Caregiving to Grandchildren: Continuity, Change, and Outcomes Over 24 Months

Transitions in caregiving, such as becoming a primary caregiver to grandchildren or having adult children and grandchildren move in or out, may affect the well-being of the grandmother. This report describes caregiving patterns at 3 time points over 24 months in a sample of 485 Ohio grandmothers and examines the effects of stability and change in grandmother caregiving roles (raising a grandchild, living in a multigenerational home, or not caregiving to grandchildren). Drawing on the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, the study examined caregiving stress and reward, intrafamily strain, social support, resourcefulness, depressive symptoms, mental and physical health, and perceived family functioning. Caregiver group, time of measurement, switching between caregiver groups, and baseline age, race, education, work status, and marital status were considered as independent variables within the context of a one-way treatment structure in a mixed-model multivariate analysis. There were significant caregiver group effects for all variables, except mental health and resourcefulness. Grandmothers raising grandchildren reported the most stress, intrafamily strain, and perceived problems in family functioning, the worst physical health and more depressive symptoms, and the least reward and subjective support. Across groups, there were significant time effects, with worsening physical health and increased stress over time. Switching to higher levels of caregiving was associated with worsening physical health and increases in stress, intrafamily strain, and perceived problems in family functioning. Recommendations for research and for practice, especially during times of caregiving transition or for grandmothers raising grandchildren, are discussed.

Psychological distress related to patterns of family functioning among Japanese childhood cancer survivors and their parents

Family functioning appears to be a predictor of psychological distress among childhood cancer survivors and their family members; however, relatively little is known about patterns in those families that are psychologically at-risk. The purpose of this study was to identify distinct clusters of families that include childhood cancer survivors, and to evaluate differences between the clusters with respect to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). Childhood cancer survivors and their parents (247 individuals: 88 adolescent cancer survivors, 87 mothers, and 72 fathers) completed self-report questionnaires. Perceptions of family functioning were assessed using the Family Relationship Index and its three dimensions (cohesiveness, expressiveness, and conflict), and individuals were classified into groups via a cluster analytic approach. State-trait anxiety, depression, and PTSS were assessed to all of the participants. The individuals were classified into three types: One cluster featured high cohesiveness, high expressiveness, and low conflict ('Supportive-type', n=102); a second cluster featured low cohesiveness, low expressiveness, and high conflict ('Conflictive-type', n=32); and a third cluster had moderate cohesiveness, moderate expressiveness, and moderate conflict ('Intermediate-type', n=113). Among the three types, an analysis of variance revealed that 'Conflictive-type' members had the highest levels of PTSS, depression, and state-trait anxiety. These findings suggest that perceptions of family functioning are related to psychological distress in family members of childhood cancer survivors. A family-focused intervention might be a useful approach to targeting emotional distress in these families, particularly for families with a 'Conflictive-type' family member.

Problematic Social Support, Family Functioning, and Subjective Well-Being in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of problematic social support and family functioning to measures of subjective well-being in a sample of women with rheumatoid arthritis. Seventy-three women with rheumatoid arthritis completed questionnaires that assessed problematic support (i.e., negative support, unavailability of emotional support), family functioning, and subjective well-being (i.e., life satisfaction and the absence of negative affect or depressive symptoms). Pearson product moment correlation coefficients and hierarchical multivariable regression analyses were conducted. The latter analyses controlled for age, length of time since diagnosis, education, income, pain and fatigue-two prominent symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The two measures of problematic support were significantly inversely related to family functioning (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001) and life satisfaction (p = 0.02 and p < 0.001), but were not significantly related to each other. Family functioning was positively related to life satisfaction (p < 0.001) and inversely related to negative affect (p < 0.001) and depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). In multiple regression analyses higher symptom severity, greater problematic support, and lower family functioning were associated with depressive symptoms (p < 0.001) and negative affect (p < 0.001), while higher family functioning and a decrease in symptom severity were associated with life satisfaction (p < 0.001), above and beyond demographic variables and length of time since diagnosis. Subjective well-being in women with rheumatoid arthritis is related to perceptions of family functioning and the amount and type of support received from others, above and beyond the pain and fatigue that characterizes rheumatoid arthritis and is negatively associated with well-being.

Relationship between adolescents’ family function with socio-demographic characteristics and behaviour risk factors in a primary care facility

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe family as a unit of care has great effect in tackling adolescent problems and this could be influenced by family functioning.ObjectiveThis study assesses the relationship between adolescents’ family functioning with socio-demographic characteristics and behavioural risk factors.MethodThe research was a cross-sectional, hospital-based study carried out at the General Outpatients Department, University College Hospital (GOPD, UCH), Ibadan, over a period of three months. Four hundred subjects were recruited using a modified Guideline for Adolescent Preventive Services (GAPS) questionnaire, with an incorporated family APGAR (Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, Resolve) score table. The results were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 11 and the findings on the family assessment and behavioural risk factors were relayed to the respondents.ResultsThe ages of the adolescents ranged from 10 to 19 years. Of the subjects, 8% were sexually active. Mean age for first coitus among the respondents was 15 ± 2.4 years. The rate of ingestion of alcohol and cigarette smoking was very low. The family APGAR scores obtained revealed that 84.5% subjects were rated as having a functional family (7–10 points) and 15.5% of the subjects were rated as having a dysfunctional family (0–6 points). There was a significant association between perceived family function and subjects’ occupation (p = 0.01), parent social class (p = 0.00) and subjects’ sexual activities (p = 0.00).ConclusionThe majority of the adolescents were rated as having functional families. Dysfunctional families had significantly sexually active respondents.

Family dynamics across pregnant Latina adolescents' transition to parenthood.

Growth curve models were conducted on assessments of family functioning at four time points from the third-trimester of pregnancy through the first year postpartum for 96 Latino families in which an adolescent daughter was pregnant. Results indicated significant family-level change following an adolescent's childbearing, though there were notable differences between family members in their perceptions of family functioning. Family conflict, as perceived by parenting teens, increased in the latter half of the first year after an initial decline, and family companionship (as rated by mothers and siblings) decreased. Parenting adolescents and siblings perceived significant increases in family cohesion, whereas mothers perceived a significant decline. Unplanned pregnancies, family financial hardship, and expected stress predicted unfavorable family functioning at 1 year. Contrary to expectations, adolescents' greater prenatal efforts to prepare for parenting predicted subsequent family conflict and declines in family cohesion (particularly as rated by mothers). Family members' acculturation level and attitudes of familism, gender roles, and the status attained by parenthood also had predictive effects. Implications of study findings for family adjustment following an adolescent's childbearing are discussed.

Evaluation of family functioning and anxiety-depression parameters in mothers of children with asthma

Background Psychological problems are more commonly observed in mothers of children with asthma when compared to the general population. Smoking in the house and parental cooperation are the other factors which influence psychological status in mothers of children with asthma. In our study, we aimed to investigate family functioning and frequency of psychological symptoms in mothers of children with asthma. Methods The study group consisted of 160 mothers of 4–15 year old children with asthma and the control group consisted of 90 mothers of healthy children. Beck's inventory, continuous anxiety inventory and family assessment device were administered to each group of mothers. Results Results indicated that levels of depression and anxiety symptoms were higher and perception of family functioning was less healthy in mothers of children with asthma compared to those in the control group (p<0.0001). Smoking status at home and level of communication with the father were found to have a significant impact on the evaluation scale in mothers in the case group. Discussion Psychiatric symptoms observed in mothers of asthmatic children might be associated to influencing the functioning of the entire family rather that of the mother alone. Therefore, evaluation of family functioning in mothers of children with asthma might be beneficial in terms of follow-up and control of disease.

Sex Differences in Perceived Family Functioning and Family Resources in Hong Kong Families: Implications for Social Work Practice

Although enhancing family functioning has become a rising concern of social workers in Chinese contexts such as Hong Kong, little has been known on perceived family functioning and family resources. To fill in this knowledge gap, this article reports part of the results of a telephone survey conducted in Hong Kong, aiming to identify the sex differences in these two areas. The results of the study have shown that Chinese women perceived better affective involvement, one of the crucial indicators of family functioning, than Chinese men. However, among the different family resources, men rated better physical and mental well‐being whereas women’s social connection was stronger than men’s. Further analysis have shown that the linkage of three family resources (namely stress coping efficacy, time spent with family and income) to perceived family functioning was statistically significant irrespective of genders. Implications of this study for social work practice are discussed at the end of the article.

Perceived Family Functioning and Family Resources of Hong Kong Families: Implications for Social Work Practice

This article reports the results of a telephone survey (n = 1,015 respondents) that aims to identify the perceived general family functioning and family resources of Hong Kong Chinese families and their linkage to each other in a rapidly transforming society. The perceived general family functioning of the respondents was average, and the five types of family resources—time, income, human capital, psychological capital, and social capital—of the respondents ranged from average to good. The following family resource domains, in descending order, have accounted for significant variance in perceived general family functioning: income, time spent with family, stress coping efficacy, religion, and satisfaction with the living environment. Our findings provide empirical support for policy formulation and social work practice.

Family, Know Thyself: A Workbook-Based Intergenerational Intervention to Improve Parent Care Coordination

This pilot study tested the feasibility, acceptability, and impact of a workbook-based intervention to enhance intergenerational collaboration in elder parent care coordination. Older parents and their adult children completed a written assessment of parent care needs and wishes, along with perceptions of family functioning, communication, and decision-making skills. Responses were assembled into a workbook. A facilitator led the family through a 1-hour education session, teaching skills and highlighting areas of agreement and disagreement. Post-intervention ratings suggested that families found the intervention to be informative and useful. Family members commented that the intervention prompted them to consider new issues in parent care and to discover gaps in their knowledge about parents. This type of intervention may help late-life families have important preparatory conversations about care needs and coordination.

Conocimientos, Actitudes y Prácticas sobre la Sexualidad en una Población Adolescente Escolar

Assessing the relationship between knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding high-risk sexual behaviour in adolescent sexuality as well as the structure and perception of family functionality. Cross-sectional research was carried out on a population of 13,699 adolescents (ages ranging from 10 to 19) attending 12 public schools from the conurbation of Suba. A self-questionnaire was administered, focusing on sexual behaviour, knowledge, attitudes and the structure and perception of family dynamics. Average age was 13.5. Sexual activity prevalence was 17%. 8% of households suffered from severe dysfunction. 39% of households were incomplete nuclear ones. Females reported less sexual activity than males (0.53 OR; 0.47-0.59 95%CI). Sexual activity was more common when adolescents perceived family dysfunction (2.06 OR; 1.72-2.48 95%CI). Perception of family function was more important than structure as a risk factor in youngsters' sexuality.

Family Secrets and Family Functioning: The Case of Donor Assistance

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between adult offspring's perception of family functioning and of parental use of topic avoidance to maintain secrecy regarding the use of donor assistance to conceive. A cross-sectional design was used to study a convenience sample of 69 young adult donor offspring who completed a demographic questionnaire, a topic avoidance scale relative to each of their rearing parents, and the Beavers Self Report Family Instrument. Findings indicated that participants perceived both parents as avoiding the topic of donor assistance more than other topics, mothers as avoiding all topics less than fathers, and topic avoidance was negatively associated with family functioning. Mothers' general topic avoidance was the strongest predictor of family functioning. Parents' disclosing together was predictive of higher family functioning. Implications for practice and future research are suggested.

Hopelessness, Family Functioning and Suicidal Ideation Among Chinese Adolescents in Hong Kong§

Based on the responses of 5,557 Chinese secondary students in Hong Kong, the relationship among hopeless- ness, perceived family functioning and suicidal ideation was examined in this study. Results showed that while hopeless- ness had a positive relationship with suicidal ideation, perceived global family functioning had a negative relationship with Chinese adolescent suicidal ideation. Different dimensions of family functioning were differentially related to suici- dal ideation, with conflict and harmony, parental concern and parental control showing stronger prediction of adolescent suicidal ideation than did mutuality and communication. It was further found that family functioning moderated the rela- tionship between hopelessness and adolescent suicidal ideation. The present study underscores the importance of family functioning in the psychological well-being of Chinese adolescents. The theoretical and practical implications of the find- ings are discussed. Previous research has shown that hopelessness was re- lated to adolescent suicidal ideation. Several studies found that there was a significant relationship between hopeless- ness and suicidality (1-3) and hopelessness was found to be the strongest of cognitive variables in concurrent association with suicidal ideation (4). Researchers also reported that hopelessness was the best predictor of suicidal ideation in students and adolescents experiencing bipolar disorder (5-7). However, the existing studies are predominantly Western studies and there are no related systematic studies in the Chinese contexts.

The psychosocial well-being of children from Australian military and fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) mining families

This study investigates the effects of employment-related father absence on children's psychological well-being and home based mothers’ perceptions of family functioning. Ninety primary school aged children and their mothers residing in Perth in Western Australia participated in this study. The sample consisted of three groups: children whose fathers were employed in fly-in/fly-out (FIFO) mining (n =30), children whose fathers were in the military (n =30) and a community sample (n =30) of children, whose fathers’ employment was not military or mining based and who did not have extended periods of absence from home. Children's psychosocial well-being was measured by the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) and Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS). Children's and mothers’ perceptions of family function were assessed with the Family Assessment Device (FAD). Results indicated that there were no significant differences between the groups on all measures of child well-being, and all groups were functioning at healthy levels. However, mothers from the FIFO families reported significantly more stress than the military and community groups with respect to communication, support and behaviour control within the family. It was concluded that despite mothers’ perceptions of disruption to family routine, the well-being of children in this small sample was not affected.

Teaching and Learning Guide for: Family Leisure and Changing Ideologies of Parenthood

Teaching and Learning Guide for: Family Leisure and Changing Ideologies of Parenthood

The Influence of Culture, Self‐Reported Multicultural Counseling Competence, and Shifting Standards of Judgment on Perceptions of Family Functioning of White Family Counselors

This study examines the perceptions of 163 White family counselors who reported their overall impressions of family functioning in response to a fictitious case report. On the intake summary, the family was identified as either Latino or White. Aside from the names used for family members, the cases were identical. Participants assigned significantly higher (i.e., healthier) ratings to the Latino family as compared with the White family. However, this effect was moderated by self‐reported multicultural counseling knowledge and awareness. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Physical abuse during adolescence: Gender differences in the adolescents’ perceptions of family functioning and parenting

Objective To examine the relationship between physical abuse of adolescents and parenting by mothers and fathers and whether the association differs by gender. Methods Subjects were adolescents, 51 girls and 45 boys, documented by Child Protective Services (CPS) as physically abused during adolescence. Comparison subjects were non-abused adolescents, 47 girls and 48 boys, from the same suburban communities. Subjects completed the following: Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale, Parental Bonding Instrument, modified Conflict Tactics Scale (assessing physical abuse/punishment by each parent). Results Although CPS generally cited fathers as the abuse perpetrators, abused boys and girls often reported experiencing physical maltreatment from both parents. Not surprisingly, comparison subjects rated parents more positively than abused subjects. For both groups, mothers were perceived as more caring and less controlling, were reported to have closer relationships with their adolescents, and were less likely to use abuse/harsh punishment than were fathers. Differences between the adolescents’ perceptions of mothers and fathers were more pronounced for abused than for comparison subjects. Boys’ and girls’ perceptions of parenting were generally similar except that girls, especially the abused girls, reported feeling less close to fathers. Abused girls also viewed mothers as less caring than the other groups viewed mothers. Abused girls were also less likely than abused boys to perceive that either parent, but particularly fathers, had provided them with an optimum style of parenting. Conclusions Adolescents who experienced relatively mild physical abuse reported dysfunctional family relationships, which may place them at risk of poor adult outcomes. Adolescents’ reports suggest that CPS reports may underestimate physical maltreatment by mothers.

The Impact of Socio-economic Status and Mobility on Perceived Family Functioning

Perceptions of current family functioning in relation to current household income level, educational status, social-class at birth and social mobility over the lifecourse were investigated in a group of 483 individuals at age 50. Subjective report of family functioning was assessed using the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) with socio-economic information obtained from a self-report Health and Lifestyle Questionnaire. Results indicated significant relationships between household income, social mobility and FAD scores for men but not for women in this sample. For men, lower current income and downward social mobility over the lifecourse were associated with a more negative perception of family functioning. Further research is required to understand the gender differences observed and delineate cause versus effect mechanisms.

Familial Effects of BRCA1 Genetic Mutation Testing: Changes in Perceived Family Functioning

This study expands recent research that examines how the receipt of BRCA1 genetic test results affects family adaptability and cohesion 1 year after genetic risk notification. Study participants were members of a large Utah-based kindred with an identified mutation at the BRCA1 locus. The final sample, 90 men and 132 women, contributed information before genetic testing (baseline) and 4 months and/or 1 year after receipt of genetic test results. After controlling for other factors such as family coping resources (Family Crises-Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale) and strains (Family Strains Index) and the tested individual's anxiety levels before genetic testing (state anxiety subscale), men and women reported significant declines in family cohesion 1 year after genetic risk notification (P < 0.01). There is suggestive evidence that carrier men reported increasing adaptability 1 year after risk notification (+0.21 points per month; P < 0.10). Having a carrier sister had a positive influence on women's perceived family cohesion and adaptability levels, whereas a personal history of cancer, having a great deal of caregiving involvement for a female relative with cancer, anxiety, and some types of coping resources had a negative effect on men's perceived family cohesion and adaptability levels. Although results showed that tested parents are perceiving a decline in family functioning after genetic risk notification, there is no evidence to suggest that the decline is due to carrier status. In fact, it is other life circumstances that exist at the time of the genetic testing process that seem to influence the degree to which families adjust to the experience and test results.