Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Family Cohesion (family + cohesion)
Selected AbstractsThe impact of food hypersensitivity reported in 9-year-old children by their parents on health-related quality of lifeALLERGY, Issue 2 2008E. Östblom Background:, There are only a few studies on the impact of food hypersensitivity (FHS) in children on health-related quality of life (HRQL). The present study was designed to examine this impact in a population-based birth cohort (BAMSE). Methods:, A nested case,control study was performed within the cohort. The parents of 1378 nine-year-old children filled out a generic questionnaire with 13 subscales (Child Health Questionnaire Parental Form 28 , CHQ-PF28) supplemented with disease-specific questions concerning FHS. There were 212 children with report of FHS. Another 221 children with allergic diseases but not FHS were examined for comparison. Furthermore, the impact of pronounced symptoms of FHS and of increasing levels of food-specific IgE antibodies on HRQL was also analysed. Results:, The children with FHS exhibited significantly lower scores on the subscales physical functioning, role/social limitations , physical and general health in the generic instrument. Furthermore, children with food-related symptoms from the lower airways were scored lower on Self Esteem, Parental Impact , time and Family Cohesion. Sensitization per se did not alter these patterns, but high levels of food-specific IgE-antibodies affected mental health and general health negatively. A physician's diagnosis of food allergy did not affect any of the subscales negatively. Conclusions:, Parents reported that FHS exerts a negative impact on the HRQL of 9-year-old children, in particular in children with symptoms from the lower airways or if the FHS is associated with high levels of food-specific IgE-antibodies. Healthcare-givers must put major effort into improving and maintaining the HRQL of these children. [source] Competence of Children Adopted from the Former Soviet UnionFAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 4 2000Teena McGuinness The former USSR led the way with the most children adopted from overseas into the United States from 1997-1999. This study (a) characterizes overall functioning of adoptees and (b) utilizes hierarchical regression analysis to evaluate both risks and protective influences of adoptive families and their relationships to child competence. Competence levels ranged from challenged to developmentally normal. Family cohesion and expressiveness were significantly associated with higher levels of child competence. [source] Correlates of the categories of adolescent attachment styles: Perceived rearing, family function, early life events, and personalityPSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES, Issue 1 2008Nao Tanaka phd Aims:, To identify the psychosocial correlates of adolescents. Methods:, Unmarried university students (n = 4226) aged 18,23 years were examined in a questionnaire survey. Results:, Four clusters of people (indifferent, secure, fearful, and preoccupied) identified by cluster analysis were plotted in 2-D using discriminant function analysis with the first function (father's and mother's Care, Cooperativeness, and family Cohesion on the positive end and Harm Avoidance and father's and mother's Overprotection on the negative end) representing the Self-model and the second function (Reward Dependence and experience of Peer Victimization on the positive end and Self-directedness on the negative end) representing the Other model. Conclusions:, These findings partially support Bartholomew's notion that adult attachment is based on the good versus bad representations of the self and the other and that it is influenced by psychosocial environments experienced over the course of development. [source] A randomized controlled trial of the impact of therapeutic horse riding on the quality of life, health, and function of children with cerebral palsyDEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & CHILD NEUROLOGY, Issue 2 2009E DAVIS PHD This randomized controlled trial examined whether therapeutic horse riding has a clinically significant impact on the physical function, health and quality of life (QoL) of children with cerebral palsy (CP). Ninety-nine children aged 4 to 12 years with no prior horse riding experience and various levels of impairment (Gross Motor Function Classification System Levels I,III) were randomized to intervention (10wks therapeutic programme; 26 males, 24 females; mean age 7y 8mo [SD 2y 5mo] or control (usual activities, 27 males, 22 females; mean age 8y 2mo [SD 2y 6mo]). Pre- and post-measures were completed by 72 families (35 intervention and 37 control). Children's gross motor function (Gross Motor Function Measure [GMFM]), health status (Child Health Questionnaire [CHQ]), and QoL (CP QoL-Child, KIDSCREEN) were assessed by parents and QoL was assessed by children before and after the 10-week study period. On analysis of covariance, there was no statistically significant difference in GMFM, CP QoL-Child (parent report and child self-report), and CHQ scores (except family cohesion) between the intervention and control group after the 10-week study period, but there was weak evidence of a difference for KIDSCREEN (parent report). This study suggests that therapeutic horse riding does not have a clinically significant impact on children with CP. However, a smaller effect cannot be ruled out and the absence of evidence might be explained by a lack of sensitivity of the instruments since the QoL and health measures have not yet been demonstrated to be sensitive to change for children with CP. [source] Acculturation and Latino Family Processes: How Cultural Involvement, Biculturalism, and Acculturation Gaps Influence Family Dynamics,FAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 3 2008Paul R. Smokowski Abstract: This study investigated how adolescent and parent acculturation (culture-of-origin and U.S. cultural involvement, biculturalism, acculturation conflicts, and parent-adolescent acculturation gaps) influenced family dynamics (family cohesion, adaptability, familism, and parent-adolescent conflict) in a sample of 402 Latino families from North Carolina and Arizona. Multiple regression and hierarchical linear models suggested that culture-of-origin involvement and biculturalism were cultural assets related to positive outcomes, whereas acculturation conflict was inversely related to positive family dynamics and positively related to parent-adolescent conflict. Parent-adolescent acculturation gaps were inversely associated with family cohesion, adaptability, and familism but were unrelated to parent-adolescent conflict. Limitations and implications for practice are discussed. [source] HUI M,lama O Ke Kai: a positive prevention-based youth development program based on native hawaiian values and activities,JOURNAL OF COMMUNITY PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 8 2009Earl S. Hishinuma Evaluation of after-school programs that are culturally and place-based and promote positive youth development among minority and indigenous youths has not been widely published. The present evaluation is the first of its kind of an after-school, youth-risk prevention program called Hui Mal,ma O Ke Kai (HMK), that emphasizes Native Hawaiian values and activities to promote positive youth development for fifth and sixth graders (N=110) in a rural Native Hawaiian community. Results indicated positive gains on youth self-reports in Native Hawaiian values, self-esteem, antidrug use, violence prevention strategies, and healthy lifestyle in Year 1, and in family cohesion, school success, and violence prevention strategies in Year 2. Parent reports of their children indicated positive gains in selected domains. Implications include the support for a promising culturally appropriate program, expansion to middle-school-aged youths, and parent involvement. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] PREDICTORS OF SUBSTANCE USE AND FAMILY THERAPY OUTCOME AMONG PHYSICALLY AND SEXUALLY ABUSED RUNAWAY ADOLESCENTSJOURNAL OF MARITAL AND FAMILY THERAPY, Issue 3 2006Natasha Slesnick There is a dearth of research that examines the impact of family systems therapy on problems among sexually and/or physically abused youth. Given this void, differential outcome and predictors of substance use change were evaluated for abused, as compared with nonabused, runaway adolescents who were randomly assigned to family therapy or treatment as usual. Abused adolescents reported lower family cohesion at baseline, although both abused and nonabused adolescents showed similar substance use reductions. Utilizing hierarchical linear modeling, we found that substance use changed with change in cohesion over time. These findings link change in family functioning to change in adolescent substance use, supporting family systems theory. Findings suggest that a potent target of intervention involves focus on increasing positive communication interactions. [source] Adherence and health-related quality of life in adolescent liver transplant recipientsPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2008Emily M. Fredericks Abstract:, Adolescence is a particularly high-risk period for non-adherence with post-transplant medical regimens. There remains a lack of research investigating factors related to non-adherence in adolescent LT recipients. The present study empirically assessed the relationship between adherence and HRQOL in adolescent LT recipients. Participants included 25 adolescents (mean = 15.1 yr, range 12,17.9) and their parent/guardian(s). Adherence was assessed using multiple indices including clinician-conducted interviews, rate of clinic attendance, and s.d. of consecutive tacrolimus blood levels. HRQOL was examined using self-report and parent-proxy report on well-validated assessment measures. Results indicated that 76% of participants were non-adherent on at least one measure of adherence, and HRQOL was significantly lower than normative data for healthy children. Tacrolimus s.d. were significant related to poor HRQOL across domains of physical, school, and social functioning. Non-adherent adolescents reported poorer health perceptions, self-esteem, mental health, family cohesion, and more limitations in social and school activities related to physical, emotional, and behavioral problems. These results suggest that empirically based assessment of HRQOL may help identify those at highest risk for behavior, emotional and school difficulties, as well as non-adherence. The examination of tacrolimus s.d. may also help identify patients who may benefit from intervention to promote adherence and HRQOL. Prospective investigations are necessary to further identify the impact of HRQOL on adherence and long-term health outcomes to further guide clinical intervention. [source] That Which Does Not Kill You Makes You Stronger: Runaway Youth's Resilience to Depression in the Family ContextAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 2 2010Gizem Erdem The present study sought to uncover the relationship between risk and protective factors for depressive symptomatology among runaway youth. To that aim, 3 models of resiliency,the compensatory, risk-protective, and challenge models,were tested separately on girls and boys. The data came from a cross-sectional survey on a sample of 140 runaway adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 years who were recruited from the only runaway crisis shelter in a large Midwestern city. Risk factors in the proposed model included primary caretaker's depressive symptoms, family conflict, and adolescent's and primary caretaker's verbal aggression; protective factors included adolescent's report of task-oriented coping and family cohesion. Findings supported the challenge model for predicting adolescent depressive symptoms, suggesting that moderate levels of risk can be beneficial for these runaway adolescents. In addition, risk and protective factors differed by adolescent gender. Implications for preventive interventions and future research are discussed. [source] Parental Adjustment, Family Functioning, and Posttraumatic Growth Among Norwegian Children and Adolescents Following a Natural DisasterAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 2 2010Gertrud S. Hafstad This study investigated the degree to which parental symptomatology and characteristics of the family environment related to posttraumatic growth (PTG) among children and adolescents who had been directly exposed to the 2004 tsunami in Thailand. One hundred five 6- to 17-year-olds (M = 11.9 years, SD = 3.3) and their parents (N = 67) were interviewed approximately 10 months and 2 years 5 months after the tsunami. The parents' self-reported PTG was a significant predictor of PTG in their children, suggesting that social processes play a role in the development of PTG in youth. Parental self-reported posttraumatic stress symptoms did not predict PTG in their children nor did youth's ratings of family cohesion, but parental tsunami-related sick leave related to lower levels of PTG reported by their children. Overall, these findings imply that elements of parents' functioning can affect children's positive adaptation after a disaster and highlight the need to assess potential parental influences and those of other sources of support in the child's environment after trauma. Attending to such factors holds salience for efforts to promote adaptation and facilitate PTG. [source] The Role of Culture, Family Processes, and Anger Regulation in Korean American Adolescents' Adjustment ProblemsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF ORTHOPSYCHIATRY, Issue 2 2010Irene J. K. Park Using an ecologically informed, developmental psychopathology perspective, the present study examined contextual and intrapersonal predictors of depressive symptoms and externalizing problems among Korean American adolescents. Specifically, the role of cultural context (self-construals), family processes (family cohesion and conflict), and anger regulation (anger control, anger suppression, and outward anger expression) were examined. Study participants were N = 166 Korean American adolescents ranging from 11 to 15 years old (M = 13.0, SD = 1.2). Results showed that depressive symptoms were significantly associated with lower levels of perceived family cohesion, higher levels of perceived family conflict intensity, and higher levels of anger suppression. Externalizing problems were associated with male gender, a weaker interdependent self-construal, higher levels of perceived family conflict, lower levels of anger control, and higher levels of outward anger expression. The distinction between specific versus common factors associated with depressive symptoms and externalizing problems was discussed with an eye toward prevention or intervention strategies targeting specific coping mechanisms (e.g., generating alternatives to anger suppression) or developing psychoeducational approaches to facilitate family processes. [source] Social contextual links to emotion regulation in an adolescent psychiatric inpatient population: do gender and symptomatology matter?THE JOURNAL OF CHILD PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHIATRY AND ALLIED DISCIPLINES, Issue 11 2009Molly Adrian Background:, The regulation of emotion is essential for adaptive functioning. However, delineating the pathways of emotion regulation (ER) processes that lead to psychological adaptation remains under-studied, with mixed evidence for the specificity vs. generality of ER deficits in relation to specific forms of psychopathology. To examine this issue, this study investigated links among ER, social-contextual factors (family, peer), and psychological adjustment (internalizing, externalizing). Method:, Participants were 140 adolescents (71% female, 83.3% Caucasian, M age = 16.03 years) who were consecutive psychiatric admissions over a one-year period. Adolescents completed measures on family environment and peer relationship experiences. Both adolescents and parents reported on adolescents' characteristic patterns of ER and psychopathology. Results:, Discriminant analyses revealed that two functions, ER skills and impulsivity/lability, differentiated among adolescents who were elevated in internalizing symptoms only, in externalizing symptoms only, in both domains, or in neither domain. Regarding social contextual variables, family cohesion was associated with adaptive ER behaviors for girls along the internalizing dimension and all adolescents reporting externalizing behaviors. Relational victimization predicted difficulties with ER in both symptom domains for all adolescents. Within the internalizing domain, friendship support was related to adaptive ER. Conclusion:, Facets of ER do differentiate between global indices of internalizing and externalizing behaviors and suggest that both general and specific factors contribute to adolescents' unique learning history with emotions and characteristic patterns for managing emotions. [source] Study of the Factors Affecting Health-Related Quality of Life in Adolescents After Liver TransplantationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2009R. M. Taylor The aim of the study was to identify factors affecting health-related quality of life (HRQL) in adolescents after liver transplantation. HRQL was measured using the CHQ-CF87 in 55 adolescents, aged 12,18 years. Factors associated with HRQL included allograft morbidity, psychological and family-related variables measured through standardized questionnaires. The domains of the CHQ-CF87 were reduced using factor analysis to give physical, psychological and social domains. Impacting factors were identified through stepwise, multiple regression analysis. Adolescents had significantly lower HRQL in every domain except for role/social-behavior and family cohesion compared to the general population. Adolescents experienced median 18 (range 4,31) symptoms related to immunosuppression, 40(75%) had one or more chronic illnesses related to immunosuppression and 12(22%) had a history of emotional difficulties. Self-esteem and emotional health were similar to the general population but behavior and aspects of family function were lower. Following regression analysis, the factors associated with HRQL were: age at transplant, secondary chronic illness, symptom distress, headaches, history of emotional difficulties, self-esteem and family conflict. These explained 57% of the variance in physical function, 61% of psychological function and 39% of social function. HRQL is significantly reduced in adolescents after transplantation, which could be related to immunosuppression and psychosocial factors. [source] Psychological Functioning, Nonadherence and Health Outcomes After Pediatric Liver TransplantationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 8 2007E. M. Fredericks The present study empirically assessed the relationships between adherence behaviors and HRQOL, parent and child psychological functioning and family functioning, and investigated the relationship between adherence behaviors and health outcomes in children who were within 5 years of their liver transplantation. Participants included 38 children (mean = 8.5 years, range 28 months to 16 years) and their parent/guardian(s). HRQOL and psychological functioning were examined using well-validated assessment measures. Measures of adherence included the rate of clinic attendance and standard deviations (SDs) of consecutive tacrolimus blood levels, which were collected and evaluated retrospectively. Measures of child health status included the frequency of hospital admissions, liver biopsies, episodes of rejection and graft function for the year prior to study participation. Results indicated that nonadherence was related to lower physical HRQOL, more limitations in social and school activities related to emotional and behavioral problems, parental emotional distress and decreased family cohesion. Nonadherence was also related to frequency and duration of hospitalizations, liver biopsies and rejection episodes. These results suggest that empirically based assessment of HRQOL, parenting stress and family functioning may help identify patients at risk for nonadherence, and may allow for the need-based delivery of appropriate clinical interventions. [source] Temperament and stress response in children with juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndromeARTHRITIS & RHEUMATISM, Issue 10 2003Paola M. Conte Objective To examine temperament, stress response, child psychological adjustment, family environment, pain sensitivity, and stress response differences between children and adolescents with juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome (JPFMS), children with arthritis, and healthy controls. Parental psychological adjustment was also measured. Methods Subjects included 16 children with JPFMS, 16 children with arthritis, and 16 healthy controls. Participants completed the Dimensions of Temperament Survey-Revised (DOTS-R), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Children's Depression Inventory, Family Environment Scale (FES), Sensitivity Temperament Inventory for Pain (STIP), and Youth Self-Report. Responsiveness to an acute stressor was assessed by measuring salivary cortisol levels before and after venipuncture. Parents were asked to complete the parent versions of the DOTS-R, FES, STIP, Child Behavior Checklist, and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. Results Children and adolescents with JPFMS demonstrated more temperamental instability, increased levels of depression and anxiety, less family cohesion, and higher pain sensitivity compared with the other 2 groups. Parents of children with JPFMS, in rating themselves, also reported higher levels of anxiety and depression, and lower overall psychological adjustment compared with parents of children in the other groups. Conclusion These results suggest that a psychobiologic perspective may contribute to an increased understanding of JPFMS in children and adolescents, facilitating an approach to investigating the interaction of factors that appear to place a child at risk for development of a pain syndrome. Because temperamental instability, sensitivity to pain, vulnerability to stress, psychological adjustment, family context, and parental psychopathology are individual risk factors, the interaction of these factors may explain the breadth of symptoms associated with this pain syndrome, as well as its severity. [source] Family correlates of adolescents' emotional/behavioural problems: evidence from a Greek school-based sampleACTA PAEDIATRICA, Issue 8 2009G Giannakopoulos Abstract Aim:, To investigate the associations of some family characteristics with adolescents' self-reported emotional/behavioural problems. Methods:, Questionnaires were administered to a Greek nation-wide random sample of adolescents (N = 1194) aged 11,18 years and their parents (N = 973) in 2003. The present analysis included the questionnaires completed by mothers and their offspring (639 families). Adolescents' emotional/behavioural problems, as measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, were assessed in relation to family socioeconomic status and residence type, parental marital status, educational attainment and subjective mental health, family cohesion and parent,child relations. Results:, The analysis showed that parental marital status other than being married, poor parent,child relations and low levels of maternal subjective mental health were independently correlated with significantly more adolescents' emotional/behavioural problems. Conclusion:, Family factors are potential determinants of adolescent emotional/behavioural problems and therefore are potential targets for prevention and/or intervention. [source] Maternal parenting stress and its correlates in families with a young child with cerebral palsyCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2009S. Glenn Abstract Objective To investigate factors predicting parenting stress in mothers of pre-school children with cerebral palsy. Method Eighty mothers and children participated. Mothers completed the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) and the following measures of family functioning: family support, family cohesion and adaptability, coping strategies, family needs and locus of control. Children were assessed using the Griffiths Scales and the Gross Motor Function measure. The child's home environment was assessed using Home Observation for Measuring the Environment. Results Mothers had higher mean total PSI scores than the means for the typical sample; 43% had total PSI scores above the threshold for clinical assessment. Cluster analysis demonstrated five distinct clusters of families, more than half of whom were coping well. High stress items were role restriction, isolation and poor spouse support, and having a child who was perceived as less adaptable and more demanding. Lower stress items indicated that this sample of mothers found their children emotionally reinforcing and had close emotional bonds. Regression analysis showed that the factors most strongly related to parenting stress levels were high family needs, low family adaptability and cognitive impairment in the child. Conclusions The results confirmed the individuality of families, and that individual characteristics of coping and feeling in control, together with family support and cohesion, are associated with variation in amount of stress experienced in parenting a child with cerebral palsy. [source] Development of a questionnaire to collect public health data for school entrants in London: Child Health Assessment at School Entry (CHASE) projectCHILD: CARE, HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 1 2005S. Edmunds Abstract Background, To develop a multiprofessional consensus about the relative contributions of the components of children's health and well-being and to develop a questionnaire that can be used to assess these in London's children. Methods, Semi-structured interviews with health, education and social services professionals were used to identify areas to include in the questionnaire. These ideas were used as the basis for a wider Delphi consultation, with 79 experts in the area of child health. Round 1 of the Delphi asked panellists to rate 54 items as to whether they should be included in the questionnaire or not. Responses were divided into four categories: item to be included measurement method agreed, item to be included measurement method not agreed, no consensus, or excluded. In round 2, consensus was sought for the categories where there was none following round 1. Results, Themes identified by the interviews were: economic factors, ethnicity, environment, nutrition, hygiene and physical activity, growth, suffers from chronic/serious illness, development, disability and learning, accidents and hospital attendances, self-regulation, psychological well-being, significant life events. After Delphi round 1, items included, where quality measurement method was agreed, were: deprivation index (from postcode), child's ethnicity, temporary accommodation, care status, registered with general practitioner, dental visits, height, weight, special educational needs status, baseline educational assessment result, immunization status, visual and hearing function. Following round 2, items relating to chronic illness, mental health, physical functioning, general health, self-esteem, family cohesion and accident status were agreed for inclusion with a measurement method also agreed. The questionnaire was acceptable to parents. Conclusion, The validity, reliability and feasibility of this questionnaire must now be examined. This data set, if collected across London, would substantially increase the public health data available and allow trends in health to be monitored. [source] Resilience in relation to personality and intelligenceINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF METHODS IN PSYCHIATRIC RESEARCH, Issue 1 2005Oddgeir Friborg Abstract Resilience is a construct of increasing interest, but validated scales measuring resilience factors among adults are scarce. Here, a scale named the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA) was crossvalidated and compared with measures of personality (Big Five/5PFs), cognitive abilities (Raven's Advanced Matrices, Vocabulary, Number series), and social intelligence (TSIS). All measures were given to 482 applicants for the military college. Confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the fit of the five-factor model, measuring ,personal strength', ,social competence', ,structured style', ,family cohesion' and ,social resources'. Using Big Five to discriminate between well adjusted and more vulnerable personality profiles, all resilience factors were positively correlated with the well adjusted personality profile. RSA-personal strength was most associated with 5PFs-emotional stability, RSA-social competence with 5PFs-extroversion and 5PFs-agreeableness, as well as TSIS-social skills, RSA-structured style with 5PFs-conscientiousness. Unexpectedly but interestingly, measures of RSA-family cohesion and RSA-social resources were also related to personality. Furthermore, the RSA was unrelated to cognitive abilities. This study supported the convergent and discriminative validity of the scale, and thus the inference that individuals scoring high on this scale are psychologically healthier, better adjusted, and thus more resilient. Copyright © 2005 Whurr Publishers Ltd. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||