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Medical condition, adherence to treatment regimens, and family functioning. Their interactions in patients receiving long-term dialysis treatment.

Twenty-three medically stable patients receiving long-term dialysis treatment and their families were studied to investigate the relationship between medical condition, adherence to treatment, and patterns of family interaction. We found significant correlations between ratings of overall family functioning and overall medical condition, and a near-significant relationship between ratings of adherence to treatment and overall family functioning. In addition, specific family variables that related either to medical condition or to adherence were identified. Our findings suggest that family assessment can be used for early identification of patients at risk for poor adherence to treatment or poor medical progress. Furthermore, it may be possible to improve medical condition and adherence by working with the family in specific areas of family functioning found to be related to medical condition or adherence.

Adult↗

Family functioning in subjects with pseudoseizures and epilepsy.

The purpose of this study was to identify differences in family functioning between subjects with pseudoseizures and their families, and control subjects with epilepsy. Thirty-one adult subjects with pseudoseizures and 31 controls with intractable epilepsy, whose diagnoses were confirmed using video-EEG, were recruited from the epilepsy unit of a tertiary care hospital over a 4-year period. Each study participant and their first-degree adult family members completed two standardized questionnaires designed to measure family functioning: the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) and the Beavers Self-Report Family Inventory (SFI). Individuals with pseudoseizures, when compared with epileptic subjects, exhibited significantly elevated scores in three scales of the FAD and in one scale of the SFI, indicating greater psychopathology within the family, as perceived by the individual. Statistically significant differences with the FAD were on measures of affective involvement (p = .044), communication (p = .004), and general functioning (p = .013). The SFI revealed significantly greater difficulty with conflict (p = .050). No differences were noted between subjects with both pseudoseizures and epilepsy and subjects with pseudoseizures alone. In comparison with the families of the epileptic group, the families of subjects with pseudoseizures displayed statistically significant elevations in their responses on the roles scale (p = .003) of the FAD. The responses of the family members did not differ in regard to the role they assumed within the family unit (i.e., spouse, parent). In summary, individuals with pseudoseizures view their families as being more dysfunctional, particularly in the area of communication, whereas their family members perceived difficulties in defining roles. This suggests that family education and interventions focusing on these areas, may be an important aspect of the treatment of patients with pseudoseizures.

Adult↗

Family functioning and suicidality in depressed adults.

This study examined the association between suicidality, family factors, and clinical and diagnostic variables in depressed adult inpatients. The subjects were 121 depressed adult inpatients living with a family member or significant other. Demographic, clinical, and diagnostic information about the patient, and subjective and observer ratings of family functioning were obtained. Trained interviewers rated families of suicidal depressed patients as more dysfunctional than families of patients with no history of attempted suicide. In a logistic regression model, earlier age of depression onset, number of psychiatric hospitalizations, and objectively rated poorer family communication were associated with a history of a prior suicide attempt. Also, modest evidence suggested that patients with a prior suicide attempt perceived their families as more dysfunctional than did their respective family members. Variations in family functioning are associated with different degrees of suicidality. However, prospective longitudinal designs would elucidate the causal relation between family dysfunction and suicidal behavior.

Adult↗

Phenylalanine control and family functioning in early-treated phenylketonuria.

The association between effective metabolic control and patients' intelligence test performance and behavior in phenylketonuria (PKU) has been demonstrated frequently. The present study reexamined this relationship in a population of 41 young children with early-treated PKU, and added a dimension of family investigation to determine relationships between dietary phenylalanine control and patient functioning, family functioning and phenylalanine control, and family functioning and patient functioning. Significant correlations were found between concurrent phenylalanine control and patients' intelligence test scores, and lifetime phenylalanine control and patients' social competence. Parent-report measures of family psychological adjustment, stress, interaction, and socioeconomic status showed no significant association with children's dietary phenylalanine control. Family cohesion and adaptability correlated positively with patients' cognitive performance. Results support a policy of diet continuation in PKU, and suggest that family interaction patterns influence patient functioning. Longitudinal study of family factors in PKU is indicated.

Child↗

Parental burden, coping, and family functioning in primary caregivers of children with Joubert syndrome.

Children with Joubert syndrome have physical and intellectual disabilities. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of Joubert syndrome on parental burden, coping, and family functioning. Forty-nine primary caregivers were surveyed. Forty-three primary caregivers were mothers and six were fathers; their mean age was 34 years. The following measures were used: Beck Depression Inventory, Child Development Inventory, Caregiver Strain Index, Family Assessment Device, and Ways of Coping Checklist-Revised. The data show that caregiver burden is not related to the severity of the child's illness, but that caregivers report significant burden. Higher burden was associated with the use of palliative coping methods, and family functioning was problematic. The results of this study suggest that for parents of children with Joubert syndrome, degree of parental burden depends more on the parents' coping skills and the level of family functioning rather than on the degree of the child's impairment. These findings highlight the importance of assessing caregiver burden, as well as decreased family functioning or coping abilities, since these problems often can be managed with psychologic intervention.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Family functioning in the caregivers of patients with dementia.

BACKGROUND: Caregiver burden has been extensively studied in the dementia population. The marital relationship has been suggested as a mediational model through which variables influence the caregiver and contribute to the experience of burden or reward. OBJECTIVES: This study examines family functioning, caregiver burden and reward and quality of life in 38 family members caring for a relative with dementia. METHODS: Caregivers of out-patients with dementia completed self report questionnaires. RESULTS: 63% of caregivers were female with a mean age of 62 years. Patient mean age was 73 years. The average number of caregiving years was 3.1. Caregivers were more likely to be spouses (61%) than children (29%) or other relatives (11%). Despite the fact that caregivers reported that their relatives were moderately disabled, they perceived more reward than burden. Caregivers who reported poor family functioning had higher ratings of strain and burden. Family functioning in these caregivers was poorest in the dimensions of affective responsiveness, problem solving and communication but it was also impaired in roles and affective involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Assessing a family's functioning may be an important factor in the care of the dementia patient and his/her family.

Adult↗

The relationship between eating pathology and perceived family functioning in eating disorder patients in a day treatment program.

This study examines the perceived levels of family functioning and their relationships with eating pathology across three eating disorder diagnostic groups. Charts of 65 day treatment female patients, ranging in age from 12 to 27 years, were studied by diagnosis and assessed using the FACES-II and EDI-2. Using multiple regression analyses, it was determined that perceived family functioning yielded significant predictions for various EDI-2 subscales within both Anorexia Nervosa and Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified diagnoses. Significant correlations were found between FACESII and the EDI-2 for all three diagnostic groups. Using ANOVA analyses and Bonferroni comparisons, significant differences among diagnoses on the EDI-2 subscales were obtained when studying patients within different family types as defined by FACES-II. These data support previous findings that suggest that as family functioning is perceived to be more dysfunctional the severity level of eating pathology increases.

Journal Article↗

[Community-acquired pneumonia: risk focus and family functionality].

INTRODUCTION: Community-acquired pneumonia is one of the five most prevalent causes of death worldwide; in Mexico, it accounts for more than 10% of the hospital admissions. OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors and the kind of family functionality associated to community-acquired pneumonia among adult patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: With the prior authorization of the research and bioethics committees, a study of cases and controls took place, where both groups were asked about the following variables: alcohol consumption or active smoking, conditions of house and family functionality, anti-flu and anti-pneumococcal vaccination, disablement, and chronic pulmonary disease, among others. RESULTS: It was found that the significant variables were active smoking, disablement, pulmonary emphysema, chronic bronchitis, overcrowding at home, and alcohol consumption; and with a protective effect for this disease: a functional family and anti-pneumococcal vaccination. CONCLUSION: There are risk factors that predispose the development of community-acquired pneumonia, and that allow us to make a population profile in which some preventive strategy could diminish the frequency and lethality of this disease.

Adult↗

Towards a family process model of maternal and paternal depressive symptoms: exploring multiple relations with child and family functioning.

BACKGROUND: Research has focused on maternal dysphoria and child adjustment. However, family process models indicate gaps in the study of paternal dysphoria, broader family functioning, and diverse child outcomes. METHOD: A community sample of 235 mothers and fathers of kindergarten children completed measures of depressive symptoms, family functioning and child adjustment. Teachers also provided measures of child adjustment. RESULTS: Supportive of pervasive effects even in a community sample, increased parental depressive symptomatology was related to increased marital conflict, insecure marital attachment, less parental warmth, more psychological control in parenting, and multiple child problems. Child gender moderated child outcomes differently for paternal and maternal dysphoria. Marital relations, but not parenting, mediated child outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Marital problems may be especially reactive to parental depressive symptomatology, so that mediational processes affecting child functioning become evident even in family contexts of relatively low risk.

Child↗

The effects of a home-visiting discharge education on maternal self-esteem, maternal attachment, postpartum depression and family function in the mothers of NICU infants.

PURPOSE: A quasi-experimental study was performed to investigate the effects of a home visiting discharge education program on the maternal self-esteem, attachment, postpartum depression and family function in 35 mothers of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) infants. METHODS: Twenty-three mothers in the intervention group received the home visiting discharge education while 12 mothers in the control group received the routine, hospital discharge education. Baseline data was collected in both groups one day after delivery. The intervention group received the home visiting discharge education while the control group did the routine hospital-based discharge education. The questionnaire including the data on maternal self-esteem, attachment, postpartum depression and family function were collected within 1 week after the discharge by mail. RESULTS: The scores of maternal self-esteem, and attachment were significantly increased, and the postpartum depression and the family function score were decreased after the home visiting discharge education in intervention group. There were no changes in these variables before and after the routine hospital-based discharge education in control group. CONCLUSION: These results support the beneficial effects of home visiting discharge education on the maternal role adaptation and family function of the mothers of NICU infants.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Prevalence and severity of intimate partner violence and associations with family functioning and alcohol abuse in psychiatric inpatients with suicidal intent.

BACKGROUND: Many medical settings have conducted screenings for domestic violence, but no study has assessed the prevalence and frequency of intimate partner violence (IPV) within the acute psychiatric inpatient population. METHOD: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in adult inpatient acute care units at a psychiatric hospital. Participants completed questionnaire-based assessments of recent and lifetime history of IPV, family functioning, and alcohol use. Recruited patients were aged between 18 and 65 years, were English-fluent and literate, had suicidal ideation, and had been living with an intimate partner for at least the past 6 months. Acutely psychotic patients and patients who were too agitated to complete the questionnaires were excluded. 110 patients completed the assessments. Interpersonal violence was assessed using the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS2), family functioning was measured using the Family Assessment Device, and alcohol use was assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Data were gathered from August 2004 through February 2005. RESULTS: Over 90% of suicidal inpatients reported IPV perpetration and victimization in their relationships in the past year, with the overwhelming majority reporting severe IPV. Male and female patients did not differ significantly on any CTS2 violence perpetration or victimization subscale (all p values >.05). Poor family functioning predicted physical violence victimization in both male and female suicidal inpatients, even after controlling for alcohol use and demographic characteristics. CONCLUSION: Psychiatric inpatients with suicidal ideation or intent would benefit from screening for IPV. Information about IPV and treatment options should be made available to psychiatric inpatients with suicidal intent. Attention to the family functioning of these patients is recommended.

Acute Disease↗

Relationship of family functioning to progress in a post-acute rehabilitation programme following traumatic brain injury.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship of family functioning to patients' progress in a post-acute TBI rehabilitation programme. RESEARCH DESIGN: Cohort study investigating predictors of change from admission to follow-up. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Caregivers of 37 persons with severe TBI consecutively admitted to a residential post-acute rehabilitation facility completed the Family Assessment Device (FAD) within a few weeks of admission. The Disability Rating Scale (DRS) was completed upon admission and approximately 1 month after discharge. FAD scores were used to predict DRS change scores after controlling for injury severity, admit FAD scores, and time from admission to follow-up. MAIN OUTCOMES AND RESULTS: Persons with unhealthy family functioning showed less improvement on DRS total, level of functioning (LOF), and employability (EMP) scores. CONCLUSIONS: The results emphasize that family functioning is an important variable to include in future models predicting rehabilitation outcome, and the importance of family intervention as part of the rehabilitation process.

Activities of Daily Living↗

The relationship between family functioning and demographic characteristics in an epidemiological study.

This paper reports on the characteristics of two dimensions (behavior control and communication) of the McMaster Model of Family Functioning (MMFF) as assessed through the MMFF semi-structured interview in families of the normal nonclinical population of Quebec City (N = 118). Interrater reliability as well as scores distribution are reported. Particular attention is given to the absence of association found between family functioning and socioeconomic status. Exploratory data about the relationship between parental conflict and family functioning are also discussed in terms of future inquiries in child psychiatric epidemiology.

Child Behavior Disorders↗

Family functioning, neurocognitive functioning, and behavior problems in children with sickle cell disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the independent and combined contributions of neurocognitive and family functioning to mother-reported behavior problems in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and evaluate the factor structure of the Family Environment Scale (FES) with African American families. METHOD: The study sample included 289 children enrolled in the multisite Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease. The study protocol included neuropsychological evaluation and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the children, and mothers completed the Child Behavior Checklist and Family Environment Scale. RESULTS: With child and maternal demographic parameters controlled, conflicted family functioning, but not neurocognitive functioning, accounted for a significant portion of the variance in mother-reported behavior problems. The factor structure of the FES for families of children with SCD was found to be similar to that for other families. CONCLUSIONS: Family functioning may be a salient target for fostering adaptation to chronic childhood illness.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Burden, reward and family functioning of caregivers for relatives with mood disorders: 1-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal caregiver studies of patients with mood disorders report no consistent pattern in burden over time. This naturalistic study of caregivers of patients with mood disorders assesses caregiver perceptions of burden, reward and family functioning at hospitalization and at 1 year follow-up. METHODS: Thirty-nine caregivers of patients with mood disorders were recruited during their relative's in-patient psychiatric hospitalization. Caregivers were given an assessment packet to complete at the time of enrollment and identical assessment packets were mailed to the caregivers at 1 year. RESULTS: Caregivers of bipolar disorder relatives reported less reward, more subjective burden and worse family functioning than depression caregivers, at recruitment. Bipolar caregivers showed a significant reduction in burden 1 year after their relative was discharged from the hospital, whereas depression caregivers showed no change at 1 year. At 1 year, overall family functioning was unchanged and was in the unhealthy range in all dimensions except for behavior control. Limitations of the study include the small sample size, the selective recruitment from a hospital setting where family members did not actively seek out help and the high drop-out rate. CONCLUSIONS: Caregivers of relatives with mood disorders show a different pattern of burden and reward, over time, depending on the patient diagnosis. In all cases, however, family functioning was significantly impaired. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Short-term family interventions can be offered at the time of hospitalization to try to reduce caregiver burden and increase caregiver reward.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Patient correlates of caregivers' distress and family functioning after traumatic brain injury.

This study examined the relationship of patient variables to caregiver distress and family functioning after TBI in 62 families. An extension of Kreutzer et al. 1994 (in press), the present investigation used four categories of predictor variables: indices of injury severity, neuropsychological tests, neurobehavioural problem checklist scales, and kinship of caregiver (i.e. spouse vs. parent). Caregiver distress and family functioning were measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and Family Assessment Device (FAD), respectively. Regression analyses revealed that indices of injury severity did not predict BSI scores. Time post-injury predicted several FAD subscales. The number of the patient's neurobehavioural problems predicted BSI subscale scores most consistently, particularly the Global Severity Index, Somatic, Obsessive-Compulsive and Depression scales. Scores on the behaviour problem subscale predicted BSI scores better than other kinds of problems, and also had some relation to several FAD subscales. Of the 10 neuropsychological test scores, those which measured verbal abilities were more predictive of caregiver's BSI scores. Kinship (i.e. being a spouse) predicted Depression scores, even when other variables were partialled out. Research findings are integrated with European studies and clinical implications for understanding caregiver distress are discussed.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Poststroke family function: an evaluation of the family's role in rehabilitation.

Stroke affects long-term quality of life and well-being for not only the patients themselves but also their families. However, the focus of most rehabilitation programs has been on managing the acute stage of stroke and evaluating the effectiveness of short-term treatments. Families usually share in treatment, especially in the long term, and they are ultimately responsible for the patient's welfare. This article reviews the literature as it relates to the clinical problems that make rehabilitation a family issue.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Psychological adjustment and family functioning of boys with learning disabilities.

This study examined parent reports of behavioral and family functioning for 59 boys with learning disabilities (LD) and 65 nondisabled boys (NLD) of ages 6 to 12 years. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES III). Boys with LD were reported as having significantly more behavior problems of both the Internalizing and Externalizing types than NLD boys. Individual scales yielded group differences indicating higher scores (more problems) for the group with LD on the Hyperactive, Schizoid or Anxious, Depressed, and Obsessive Compulsive scales, but no differences on the Aggressive or Social Withdrawal scales. Furthermore, families of boys with LD tended to score more frequently in the extreme (disturbed) range of family functioning. However, boys of families in the extreme range did not have more behavior problems than the boys of other families. The findings suggest that a greater than average proportion of boys with LD are at risk for developing psychological adjustment problems.

Activities of Daily Living↗