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Family Relationships (family + relationships)
Selected AbstractsNavigating Interdependence: How Adolescents Raised Solely by Grandparents Experience Their Family RelationshipsFAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 2 2009Megan L. Dolbin-MacNab This study examined how adolescents raised solely by grandparents navigated their relationships with their parents and grandparents and how these relationships were influenced by the caregiving context. Forty-one adolescents participated in qualitative, semistructured interviews. Findings suggest that relationships with parents were primarily companionate or marked by distance and distrust. Grandchildren had strong emotional bonds to their grandparents, although they also negotiated several sources of stress. Participants also reported feelings of gratitude because of the positive influence their grandparents had on their lives. Caregiving context shaped grandchildren's interdependence with their parents and grandparents in numerous ways. Findings highlight the complexity of grandchildren's family relationships and underscore the value of a systemic approach to understanding youth who are being raised by grandparents. [source] Risk Factors for Potentially Harmful Informal Caregiver BehaviorJOURNAL OF AMERICAN GERIATRICS SOCIETY, Issue 2 2005Scott R. Beach PhD Objectives: Caring for a sick or disabled relative has been linked to compromised caregiver health, and risk factors for negative caregiver outcomes have been studied extensively, but little attention has been given to care recipient and caregiver health as risk factors for potentially harmful behavior by informal caregivers. This article explores such risk factors. Design: Structured interviews from baseline assessment of the Family Relationships in Late Life Study. Setting: Three U.S. communities. Participants: Referred, volunteer sample of 265 caregiver/care recipient dyads. Caregivers were primarily responsible for care of an impaired, community-residing family member aged 60 and older and providing help with at least one activity of daily living (ADL) or two instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Measurements: Self-reported care recipient demographics, cognitive status, need for care, and self-rated health; self-reported caregiver demographics, cognitive status, amount of care provided, self-rated health, physical symptoms, and depression. Care recipient reports of potentially harmful caregiver behavior, including screaming and yelling, insulting or swearing, threatening to send to a nursing home, and withholding food, were the main outcome variable. Results: The following were significant risk factors for potentially harmful caregiver behavior: greater care recipient ADL/IADL needs (odds ratio (OR)=1.12, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.03,1.22), spouse caregivers (vs others; OR=8.00, 95% CI=1.71,37.47), greater caregiver cognitive impairment (OR=1.20, 95% CI=1.04,1.38), more caregiver physical symptoms (OR=1.07, 95% CI=1.01,1.13), and caregivers at risk for clinical depression (OR=3.47, 95% CI=1.58,7.62). Conclusion: Potentially harmful caregiver behavior is more likely in spouse caregiving situations and when care recipients have greater needs for care and caregivers are more cognitively impaired, have more physical symptoms, and are at risk for clinical depression. This risk profile is similar to that for negative caregiver outcomes. [source] Family Relationships and Adolescent Psychosocial Outcomes: Converging Findings From Eastern and Western CulturesJOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, Issue 4 2004Julia Dmitrieva This study investigated the role of parent,adolescent relationships in mediating the association between family-related negative life events and adolescent depressive symptoms and problem behaviors among 1,696 eleventh graders from the United States (n=201), China (n=502), Korea (n=497), and Czech Republic (n=496). Results indicated that perceived parental involvement and parent,adolescent conflict mediated the link between family-related life events and adolescent depressed mood. The path from family-related life events to adolescent problem behaviors was mediated by perceived parental involvement, parent,adolescent conflict, and perceived parental sanctions of adolescent misconduct. With the exception of minor cross-cultural differences in the magnitude of associations among variables, this study revealed considerable similarity in the association of family factors with adolescent internalizing and externalizing symptomatology. The findings contribute to the growing literature on culture-general developmental processes. [source] Ancient DNA and Family Relationships in a Pompeian HouseANNALS OF HUMAN GENETICS, Issue 4 2009Giovanni Di Bernardo Summary Archaeological, anthropological and pathological data suggest that thirteen skeletons found in a house at the Pompeii archaeological site, dated to 79 A.D., belong to one family. To verify this and to identify the relationships between these individuals, we analyzed DNA extracted from bone specimens. Specifically, hypervariable segment 1 (HVS1) of the human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region was amplified in two overlapping polymerase chain reactions and the sequences were compared to the revised Cambridge Reference Sequence. As independent controls, other polymorphic sites in HVS1, HVS2 and in the coding region were analyzed. We also amplified some short tandem repeats of the thirteen specimens. This study revealed that six of the thirteen individuals are indeed closely related. [source] The Anticipated Utility of Zoos for Developing Moral Concern in ChildrenCURATOR THE MUSEUM JOURNAL, Issue 4 2009John Fraser It proposes a new theory regarding the psychological value of such experiences for the development of identity. The study used a constructivist grounded theory approach to explore parenting perspectives on the value of zoo visits undertaken by eight families from three adjacent inner-city neighborhoods in a major American city. The results suggest that parents use zoo visits as tools for promoting family values. These parents felt that experiences with live animals were necessary to encourage holistic empathy, to extend children's sense of justice to include natural systems, and to model the importance of family relationships. The author concludes that parents find zoos useful as a tool for helping their children to develop skills with altruism, to transfer environmental values, to elevate children's self-esteem, and to inculcate social norms that they believe will aid in their children's social success in the future. [source] Psychodrama: helping families to adapt to childhood diabetesEUROPEAN DIABETES NURSING, Issue 3 2006B Bektas RN. Abstract Effective management of diabetes in children requires a holistic approach that takes into account the roles of diabetes education, treatment and disease management, and the integral role of family relationships. Psychodrama is a group-based psychological support technique that aims to improve the acceptance and understanding of diabetes within the families of diagnosed children. Through group improvisation, role plays and feedback sessions, the families of children with diabetes participate in a cathartic process that helps them to share their problems, benefit from others' insight and feedback and to discuss behavioural changes that will avoid similar problems in the future. The families that participated in this study reported an enhanced understanding of the contribution that relationships with their children have on the successful management of their diabetes. Through recognition of the reasons for their anxieties about their children's diabetes, they were able to address fixed behavioural patterns in a supportive, non-judgmental arena, and to work towards positive change. Their children benefited indirectly through changes in their parents' behaviour and improved communication within their families. A reduction in the children's HbA1c levels was observed through the course of the study, although this could not be considered a direct result of psychodrama. Copyright © 2006 FEND. [source] Black Women and White Women: Do Perceptions of Childhood Family Environment Differ?FAMILY PROCESS, Issue 2 2007CASSANDRA M. CLAY M.S.W. Introduction: Few studies have examined racial differences in perceptions of childhood. Little is known about how Blacks perceive their own families, particularly the family environment that they experienced in childhood. Methods: A community sample of 290 women (55% White, 45% Black) from two-parent families, heterogeneous in age and social class, was examined using a self-administered questionnaire, including the Family Environment Scale (FES), followed by a focused interview. Siblings were used as collateral informants. Results: The psychometric properties of the FES showed remarkably little variation by race: The internal scale reliability, correlations between scales, and factor structures were quite similar. Although both White and Black women reported good childhood family environments, Black women when compared with White women rated their families of origin as more cohesive, organized, and expressive, and lower in conflict. Sibling responses corroborated these findings. Discussion: This study addresses a gap in the research literature and provides important evidence of strengths in Black family relationships as reported by a community sample of women. The psychometric properties of the FES, found to be strong for families of both races, lends support to our findings and those of other researchers who have used this measure. [source] Sacred Practices in Highly Religious Families: Christian, Jewish, Mormon, and Muslim Perspectives,FAMILY PROCESS, Issue 2 2004Loren Marks Ph.D. Quantitative research examining linkages between family relationships and religious experience has increased substantially in recent years. However, related qualitative research, including research that examines the processes and meanings behind recurring religion-family correlations, remains scant. To address this paucity, a racially diverse sample (N=24) of married, highly religious Christian, Jewish, Mormon, and Muslim parents of school-aged children were interviewed regarding the importance of religious family interactions, rituals, and practices in their families. Mothers and fathers discussed several religious practices that were meaningful to them and explained why these practices were meaningful. Parents also identified costs and challenges associated with these practices. Interview data are presented in connection with three themes: (1) "practicing [and parenting] what you preach," (2) religious practices, family connection, and family communion, and (3) costs of family religious practices. The importance of family clinicians and researchers attending to the influence of religious practice in the lives of highly religious individuals and families is discussed. [source] Families and Health: An Empirical Resource Guide for Researchers and PractitionersFAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 4 2009Christine M. Proulx As evidence mounts indicating that the quality of family relationships affects family member health and that the health of family members influences the quality of family relationships and family functioning, it becomes crucial for family scientists to determine and understand the mechanisms underlying these associations. An empirical resource guide for researchers and practitioners focusing on the complex relationships between family relationships, context, health, intervention, and treatment is presented. [source] Navigating Interdependence: How Adolescents Raised Solely by Grandparents Experience Their Family RelationshipsFAMILY RELATIONS, Issue 2 2009Megan L. Dolbin-MacNab This study examined how adolescents raised solely by grandparents navigated their relationships with their parents and grandparents and how these relationships were influenced by the caregiving context. Forty-one adolescents participated in qualitative, semistructured interviews. Findings suggest that relationships with parents were primarily companionate or marked by distance and distrust. Grandchildren had strong emotional bonds to their grandparents, although they also negotiated several sources of stress. Participants also reported feelings of gratitude because of the positive influence their grandparents had on their lives. Caregiving context shaped grandchildren's interdependence with their parents and grandparents in numerous ways. Findings highlight the complexity of grandchildren's family relationships and underscore the value of a systemic approach to understanding youth who are being raised by grandparents. [source] Self-reported functional ability predicts three-year mobility and mortality in community-dwelling older personsGERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2002Ryuichi Kawamoto Background:, A comprehensive evaluation of the functions of community-dwelling older persons was conducted in 1988. Three years after the 1988 study commenced, the relationship between these background factors and changes during the subsequent 3 years were examined. Methods: ,The study was a comprehensive evaluation of the daily functions of community-dwelling elderly people, and encompassed age, gender, mode of living, marital status, financial status, family relationships, basic activities of daily living, visual and hearing impairment, a history of disease, self-related feeling, social role, social support, habits and physical exercise and the relationship between independence and survival for 3 years after the basic study. The subjects were 2274 community-dwelling elderly people who participated in the first survey in July 1998 and who were aged 65 years and over at that time. Unassisted questionnaire sheets were used for the first survey and changes since the first survey. Results:, Thirty men and 60 women died during the 3 year period. Data were also gathered about the daily activity levels of 1709 persons (75.2%) with 1499 (87.7%) ranking J for independence and 210 persons (12.3%) ranking A to C for dependence. Age, gender, basic activities of daily living (BADL), history of falls, self-related happiness, participation in community events and physical-exercise habits were found to be explanatory variables for independence after three years; as were age, gender, and BADL for survival. Conclusion: , The explanatory variables relating to independence and prognosis of life of the elderly obtained in this study will be important in future considerations of the issue of care-taking and measures to enable it. [source] Asking fathers: a study of psychosocial adaptationHAEMOPHILIA, Issue 5 2004E. K. Herrick Summary., Although few contemporary studies specifically address paternal adaptation, the theme of paternal estrangement from medical care and from family relationships is pervasive in the psychosocial literature on haemophilia. This estrangement has been shown to have a negative effect on fathers' psychological well-being, marital relationships and the adaptive outcome of their sons who have haemophilia. The goals of this study were to provide contemporary data on the psychosocial adaptation of fathers of boys with haemophilia and to examine specific variables that might influence their adjustment. Eighty-three eligible fathers returned a survey instrument that collected demographic and medical information, as well as scores on self-measures of adaptation in marital and parenting roles. Statistically significant direct correlations (P < 0.01) were found between fathers' scores on the Marital Adjustment Test and the Parenting Sense of Competence subscales (parenting efficacy and satisfaction). Variables specific to rearing a son with haemophilia that negatively affected fathers' marital adjustment scores included: feeling left out of medical decision making by their wives or partners, worry about their sons' having limited activity, and the presence of a secondary diagnosis in the affected child. Scores on the parenting efficacy subscale of the PSOC were statistically significantly reduced (i.e. fathers felt less effective in the parenting role) in men who ,rarely' or ,never' infused their sons (42/80, 53%). Variables that negatively affected scores on the parenting satisfaction subscale included frustrating interactions with medical staff and concern about their sons' potential to contract an infection or secondary diagnosis. This paper presents a model to examine the interrelationships among the data and discusses the clinical implications. [source] The Golden Freeway: a preliminary evaluation of a pilot study advancing information technology as a social intervention for boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and their familiesHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 1 2004Jennifer Soutter BSc PhD Abstract Established information technology was used in an attempt to reduce social isolation by providing each family who had a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy with a personal computer, and e-mail and Internet connectivity. Seventy-four of the 88 families in the north of England (i.e. Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, Teesside, and Tyne and Wear) with a boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy who was diagnosed before January 2000 had the equipment installed. Evaluations of equipment usage and parental perceptions of the project were carried out at 3 and 12 months post-installation. Results from quantitative and qualitative interviews with parents indicated that benefits accrued to the families and to the boys themselves: family relationships can be extended, and the boys can acquire a degree of independence which, according to parents' views, can boost self-confidence and self-esteem. As hoped, social isolation was felt to have been reduced, and an occupation, interest and enjoyment provided. The greatest use of the computer was for schoolwork with siblings sharing in this. Cost proved to be a problem for a number of families. For the project team, there were unexpected aspects: creating an e-community was more difficult than anticipated, more training was required and not all families would ever use the equipment to its fullest. However, families did emphasise the value of the project as a way of opening the world for their sons. [source] Experiences and support needs of siblings of children with cancerHEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, Issue 5 2000BA MA PhD CPsychol Patricia Sloper Abstract The diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer places considerable demands on family life. Siblings have been shown to be at risk for development of emotional and behavioural problems. However, most studies have relied on parents' reports, and less is known about siblings' own views of their experiences. This paper presents findings from interviews with 94 siblings of children with cancer, at 6 and 18 months after diagnosis of the illness. Results show that, six months after diagnosis, siblings reported a number of problems: loss of attention and status; loss of their own and their families' usual activities and routines; loss of certainty and security; and loss of companionship of the ill child. For many, problems had resolved 18 months after diagnosis, but problems remained or had arisen for some. These were not confined to those whose brothers or sisters had relapsed or continued to have treatment. Supportive relationships were reported to be important resources, providing an opportunity for siblings to express their own feelings and needs, and information about the illness and treatment helped them to understand why family life was disrupted. Positive effects were also apparent: gains in maturity, understanding and compassion, and closer family relationships. The findings point to the need for support for siblings to provide information to help them make sense of the situation; opportunities to express their own feelings and reassurance to avoid fear and guilt; attention to feel valued and maintain self-esteem; and help to keep up their own interests and activities. Attention of parents and professionals in contact with the families was generally paid to the ill child. There is a need for health professionals, particularly those in the family's home community, to take a holistic approach to family support, to ensure that information and support is available to siblings. [source] Parental capacities for triadic relationships during pregnancy: Early predictors of children's behavioral and representational functioning at preschool ageINFANT MENTAL HEALTH JOURNAL, Issue 1 2005Kai von Klitzing This study examines associations between parental capacities for triadic (mother,father,child) relationships, assessed prenatally, and the representational and behavioral functioning of their offspring at preschool age. Thirty-eight parental couples were given an intensive psychodynamic interview during their first pregnancy to assess how they anticipated their future parenthood and their relationships as threesomes (mother,father,child). The capacity for triadic relationships ("triadic capacity") was defined as the capacity of fathers and mothers to anticipate their family relationships without excluding either themselves or their partners from the relationship with the infant. Four years later, the representational and behavioral functioning of their children were assessed in depth using child narrative interviews and parental behavior ratings. The coherence of the children's narratives and the number of positive themes they expressed were significantly negatively correlated with the number of behavioral problems. In the longitudinal analyses, there were significant positive correlations between the parental triadic capacities and the coherence/number of positive themes in the children's narratives whereas parental triadic capacities showed a significant negative correlation with the number of the children's externalizing problems. The significance of triadic relational family processes for the development of children's representational world and behavioral functioning is discussed. ©2005 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health. [source] Five-year longitudinal predictive factors for disordered eating in a population-based sample of overweight adolescents: Implications for prevention and treatmentINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EATING DISORDERS, Issue 7 2009Dianne Neumark-Sztainer PhD Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to identify predictors of prevalence and incidence of disordered eating (binge eating and extreme weight control behaviors) among overweight adolescents. Method Five-year longitudinal associations were examined in 412 overweight adolescents who participated in Project EAT-I and II. Results Among both overweight males and females, risk factors for disordered eating included exposure to weight loss magazine articles, higher weight importance, and unhealthy weight control behaviors, while family connectedness, body satisfaction, and regular meals were protective factors, although there were some differences in predictors of prevalence (total cases) versus incidence (new cases) of disordered eating. Among males, poor eating patterns, including fast food and sweetened beverage intake, increased risk for disordered eating, and the use of healthy weight control behaviors was protective. Discussion Attention should be directed toward decreasing disordered eating among overweight adolescents. Findings suggest the importance of promoting positive family relationships, psychological health, and regular meals, and steering adolescents away from overemphasizing weight and using unhealthy weight control behaviors. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2009 [source] Recent evidence on the development and maintenance of constructive staff,family relationships in the care of older people , a report on a systematic review updateINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 2 2010Emily Haesler BN PgradDipAdvNsg Abstract Aim, This paper is an update to a systematic review that presents the best available evidence on the factors that are most effective in promoting constructive staff,family relationships in the care of older people in the institutional healthcare setting. Methods, Systematic review. Results, The updated review supports findings from the earlier review. Additional evidence points to the importance of monitoring care, family involvement in decision-making, staff upholding the uniqueness of the older person, trust, the involvement of the multidisciplinary care team and family dynamics as factors underpinning effective staff,family relationships. Conclusion, A number of factors critical to the development and maintenance of positive staff,family relationships in the institutional setting have been identified. The delivery of quality care is predicated on staff having an understanding of these factors. [source] Factors associated with constructive staff,family relationships in the care of older adults in the institutional settingINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EVIDENCE BASED HEALTHCARE, Issue 4 2006Emily Haesler BN PGradDipAdvNsg Abstract Background, Modern healthcare philosophy espouses the virtues of holistic care and acknowledges that family involvement is appropriate and something to be encouraged due to the role it plays in physical and emotional healing. In the aged care sector, the involvement of families is a strong guarantee of a resident's well-being. The important role family plays in the support and care of the older adult in the residential aged care environment has been enshrined in the Australian Commonwealth Charter of Residents' Rights and Responsibilities and the Aged Care Standards of Practice. Despite wide acknowledgement of the importance of family involvement in the healthcare of the older adult, many barriers to the implementation of participatory family care have been identified in past research. For older adults in the healthcare environment to benefit from the involvement of their family members, healthcare professionals need an understanding of the issues surrounding family presence in the healthcare environment and the strategies to best support it. Objectives, The objectives of the systematic review were to present the best available evidence on the strategies, practices and organisational characteristics that promote constructive staff,family relationships in the care of older adults in the healthcare setting. Specifically this review sought to investigate how staff and family members perceive their relationships with each other; staff characteristics that promote constructive relationships with the family; and interventions that support staff,family relationships. Search strategy, A literature search was performed using the following databases for the years 1990,2005: Ageline, APAIS Health, Australian Family and Society Abstracts (FAMILY), CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Dare, Dissertation Abstracts, Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Social Science Index. Personal communication from expert panel members was also used to identify studies for inclusion. A second search stage was conducted through review of reference lists of studies retrieved during the first search stage. The search was limited to published and unpublished material in English language. Selection criteria, The review was limited to studies involving residents and patients within acute, subacute, rehabilitation and residential settings, aged over 65 years, their family and healthcare staff. Papers addressing family members and healthcare staff perceptions of their relationships with each other were considered for this review. Studies in this review also included those relating to interventions to promote constructive staff,family relationships including organisational strategies, staff,family meetings, case conferencing, environmental approaches, etc. The review considered both quantitative and qualitative research and opinion papers for inclusion. Data collection and analysis, All retrieved papers were critically appraised for eligibility for inclusion and methodological quality independently by two reviewers, and the same reviewers collected details of eligible research. Appraisal forms and data extraction forms designed by the Joanna Briggs Institute as part of the QARI and NOTARI systematic review software packages were used for this review. Findings, Family members' perceptions of their relationships with staff showed that a strong focus was placed on opportunities for the family to be involved in the patient's care. Staff members also expressed a theoretical support for the collaborative process, however, this belief often did not translate to the staff members' clinical practice. In the studies included in the review staff were frequently found to rely on traditional medical models of care in their clinical practice and maintaining control over the environment, rather than fully collaborating with families. Four factors were found to be essential to interventions designed to support a collaborative partnership between family members and healthcare staff: communication, information, education and administrative support. Based on the evidence analysed in this systematic review, staff and family education on relationship development, power and control issues, communication skills and negotiating techniques is essential to promoting constructive staff,family relationships. Managerial support, such as addressing workloads and staffing issues; introducing care models focused on collaboration with families; and providing practical support for staff education, is essential to gaining sustained benefits from interventions designed to promote constructive family,staff relationships. [source] Factors associated with the coping of parents with a child in psychiatric inpatient careINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING PRACTICE, Issue 5 2001Tiina Puotiniemi MSc The purpose of this study was to establish the parental coping' factors associated with having a child in psychiatric inpatient care. The data were collected from 19 hospitals with child psychiatry units. At the time of data collection, all parents of children in psychiatric inpatient care in these hospitals were recruited. The method of data collection was a questionnaire (n = 79). The data were analysed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows statistical software. The connections between variables were studied with cross-tabulation, and the ,2 test was used to determine significance. Changes in internal and external family relationships and matters related to the upbringing of the child with mental problems statistically correlated significantly with parental coping (P < 0.001). Problem-oriented and emotionally-oriented coping strategies, skills and palliative strategies correlated significantly with parental coping (P < 0.001). Emotional support, support for the care and upbringing of the child in inpatient care, and love and acceptance also had statistically significant associations with parental coping (P < 0.001). [source] The Panel Study on American Religion and Ethnicity: Background, Methods, and Selected ResultsJOURNAL FOR THE SCIENTIFIC STUDY OF RELIGION, Issue 1 2010Michael O. Emerson Surveying 2,610 respondents, the Panel Study of American Religion and Ethnicity is a nationally representative in-home survey of the noninstitutionalized U.S. adult population. The survey is designed to (a) focus primarily on religion and spirituality (with over 200 questions on these topics), (b) include multiple other modules (such as health, family relationships, and social ties), (c) oversample African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics, and (d) follow the same respondents over time. We describe the main design features of the survey, present some characteristics of the sample, and provide basic findings. It is our hope that these data will foster more research and contribute to a better understanding of the role and meaning of religion in the contemporary United States. [source] Transformational experiences in adult-to-adult living-donor liver transplant recipientsJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 1 2010Akemi Watanabe Abstract Title.,Transformational experiences in adult-to-adult living-donor liver transplant recipients. Aim., This paper is a report of a study conducted to explore the transformational experiences of adult-to-adult living-donor liver transplant recipients. Background., Living-donor liver transplant was developed to overcome the shortage of cadaveric livers available for transplantation. However, living-donor liver transplant generates multifaceted psychosocial problems for recipients. Method., Data were collected from 2002 to 2004 through in-depth interviews and participant observations. We adopted a phenomenological approach that examined the experience of 30 recipients. Findings., We classified the experiences into three types: common, innate and unrealized. Analysis of the transcripts revealed four themes, all with associated sub-themes. The first theme, guilt and concrete issues, includes anguish when thinking about survival by hurting a potential donor and problems associated with donor and cost. The second theme, let it happen includes leave it to fate; ambivalence; and worry about the donor candidate and whether he/she will change their mind. The third theme, pain, includes extreme physical and mental pain for me and the donor; and worry about cost. The fourth theme, balancing gains and losses, includes grateful for and hoping to enjoy my new life; burden of new body; difficulty in adapting to modified life plan; and changes in family relationships. Conclusion., Nursing practice should be developed to (1) give support to patients and their families during decision-making; (2) give support for the dramatic life change; (3) help recipients accept the reality of the transplant; and (4) help achieve the essential balance between feelings of attainment and loss. [source] Determinants of perceived health in families of patients with heart diseaseJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 2 2004Päivi Åstedt-Kurki PhD RN Background., Heart disease is a severe long-term illness, which often requires lifestyle changes and self-care and affects the life of the whole family. Perceived family health is highly complex. It combines people's values and everyday experiences, such as knowledge about their own health, what they do to promote their health, how their life progresses, and how they feel physically and emotionally. Aim., The aim of this paper is to report a study to describe the perceived health of families of patients with heart disease and to ascertain factors related to family health. Methods., Data were collected by questionnaire with a convenience sample of 161 family members of patients receiving treatment on two medical wards of a university hospital in southern Finland. Data were analysed using means and medians and tested by parametric and non-parametric tests. A stepwise regression analysis was also used. Results., The most important predictors of family health were family structural factors, effect of illness symptoms on daily life, and family relationships. The strongest predictor was family structural factors. It was found that the better the family structure and relationships, the better the family health. Similarly, the greater the effect of the illness on the patient's daily life, the worse the family health. Conclusion., The findings suggest that supporting family functioning in the families of people with heart disease is an important challenge for family nursing. [source] Interaction between caregivers and families expecting a malformed childJOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING, Issue 1 2003Hanna Maijala MNSc RN Background. Earlier research has shown that the care of families expecting a malformed child should be intensified and that the topic is understudied. Aim. This study aimed at generating a practical nursing theory of interaction between caregivers and families expecting a malformed child, as experienced by families. Methods. A grounded theory study was undertaken at a university hospital, Finland. Data consisted of semi-structured interviews with 29 mothers and fathers, analysed using the constant comparative method. Findings. The interaction process starts with the confirmation of the diagnosis. It usually comes as a shock to the parents, and gives rise to questions about the nature of the malformation, family members' relationship with themselves, family relationships and relationships with people outside the family. These questions are crucial to the family's coping and form the core of interaction. Families' own coping strategies are either reinforced or undermined by caregivers' actions and are reflected in parents' expectations about caregivers, which in part account for their actions and experiences of interaction. The care system as an interactive environment is part of a process which results in the experiences of being helped or being left without help. The core of the interaction process comprises two dimensions: gaining strength and losing strength in relation to malformation issues. Conclusions. The findings of the study are consistent with earlier research and complement it by providing a detailed delineation of the interaction from the perspective of the family. They can be used to formulate recommendations for improving caregivers' interactive skills and awareness of the topic through training. The care system should be developed to ensure that families receive psychological support and that the family as a whole receives proper care. Consideration of the viewpoint of siblings is a challenge for further research. [source] Factors Associated With Self-Concept in Children With AsthmaJOURNAL OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSING, Issue 2 2000Angela M. McNelis PhD(C) PURPOSE. To investigate the relationship of demographic asthma, family, and child factors with self-concept in children with asthma. METHODS. Data were collected twice approximately 4 years apart from both the afected children and their mothers (N = 134) via interviews and self-report questionnaire. FINDINGS. Children who demonstrated more negative attitudes toward their illness, had less satisfaction with family relationships, and used more negative coping behaviors had the poorest self-concepts. Over time, the greatest improvement in self-concept occurred in children whose attitudes and satisfaction with family relationships improved and whose use of negative coping behaviors decreased. CONCLUSIONS. Results suggest that some children with asthma, especially girls with severe asthma, appear to be at risk for poor self-concept [source] ADHD couple and family relationships: Enhancing communication and understanding through Imago Relationship TherapyJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, Issue 5 2005Carol Ann Robbins This article reviews the relationship deficits experienced by many individuals who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and proposes effective strategies, based on Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT), to assist them in communicating more effectively. The neurological underpinnings of the disorder often contribute to the development of poor social and communication skills and can lead to a lifetime of relationship difficulties. IRT, a brain-based approach, is compatible with the neurological challenges of living with ADHD because it slows the communication process, provides structure, reduces reactivity, and helps individuals to be fully present so that their loved one can feel fully heard and understood. The couple's dialogue strengthens relationships by encouraging the development of stronger listening skills, better self-control, and problem solving. Two case examples illustrate the clinical methods used. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol/In Session 61: 565,577, 2005. [source] Working systemically with family violence: risk, responsibility and collaborationJOURNAL OF FAMILY THERAPY, Issue 4 2001Arlene Vetere In this article we describe a project which aims to ensure prevention and continued protection from violence for family members. We outline our theoretical approach to assessment and working with violence in family relationships and the associated ethical problems. We identify three recurrent themes: risk, collaboration, and responsibility. We focus on our work with couples, where the man is violent towards the woman. Within this discussion we identify other important clinical issues. [source] Family quality of life among families with a member who has an intellectual disability: an exploratory examination of key domains and dimensions of the revised FQOL SurveyJOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH, Issue 6 2009S. Werner Abstract Background The Family Quality of Life Survey (FQOLS-2006) was developed as the result of increased interest in family quality of life (FQOL) among families with a member who has an intellectual disability (ID). The instrument includes nine life domains and six dimensions reflecting the main areas and characteristics of FQOL. The aim of the current study was to provide a descriptive analysis of the domains and dimensions of the survey and to explore their relationship to one another and to global satisfaction. Method A convenience sample of 35 participants with a family member who had ID completed the FQOLS-2006 in a large urban centre in Canada. The data were analysed using descriptive analyses. Results The findings showed that although participants differentiated between different domains and dimensions, as reflected in their variability, stability was also found. For example, support from others was rated lowest across most dimensions, while family relationships and health of the family were generally rated higher. Conclusions The findings strengthen the importance of examining both the overall perception of FQOL as well as the perceptions in individual life domains. Moreover, they highlight the need to examine each life domain according to its various dimensions. In sum, the results call for further examination of the FQOLS-2006 as a useful tool for assessing FQOL and for implementing services based on it. [source] Resource Configuration in Family Firms: Linking Resources, Strategic Planning and Technological Opportunities to PerformanceJOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, Issue 1 2008Kimberly A. Eddleston abstract We apply the resource-based view of the firm to the study of family firms by investigating how a family specific resource (reciprocal altruism) and a firm specific resource (innovative capacity) contribute to family firm performance. We then examine how the impact of these resources is moderated by strategic planning and technological opportunities. Our findings suggest that family firms can benefit from emphasizing the positive aspects of kinship and from developing innovative capacities. As such, we demonstrate that not only do firm specific resources contribute to family firm performance, but also that family relationships can be a source of competitive advantage for a family firm. In addition, we found a heightened importance of reciprocal altruism in environments rich in technological opportunities, and that strategic planning is more important for those family firms that lack innovative capacities. [source] Generative Uncle and Nephew RelationshipsJOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY, Issue 5 2005Robert M. Milardo This study investigates generativity, or a concern for future generations, in the relationships between uncles and nephews. Using in-depth interviews, 21 uncles and 31 nephews were interviewed in Wellington, New Zealand and Bangor, Maine. Uncles describe themselves as supplements to parents, as friends, or as surrogate parents. Uncles act as mentors by providing nephews with advice and sometimes criticism. They act as intergenerational buffers and family historians by engaging in family work with nephews, providing insights into the behavior of parents or siblings. In turn, nephews provide uncles with insights into the behavior of family members. This study contributes to the literatures on generativity, men and caregiving, and more broadly third-party influences in family relationships. [source] Children's adjustment to their divorced parents' new relationshipsJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 4 2002AR Isaacs Abstract: With new relationships common after divorce, researchers have tried to determine the factors that predict how well children adjust to their stepfamily. The many potential factors are often grouped into the categories of family process, individual risk and vulnerability, and ecological variables. Family process is concentrated on the impact of disrupted family relationships; positive outcomes are associated with low conflict and authoritative parenting. Individual risk and vulnerability includes attributes of the child and the adults; positive outcomes are associated with children who have an easy temperament. Adolescents and girls may have particular difficulty adjusting. Ecological perspectives include the larger social environment such as peers and school. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||