The development of social competence is a fundamental aspect of children’s adjustment and functioning (Hussong et al. 2005). Children with severe social impairments are at risk for academic and mental health difficulties, and they often require a higher degree of family support beyond childhood compared with nondisabled populations (Green et al., 2000; Tanguay, 2001). Little is known about how severe social competency deficits in children influence the family environment and how the family environment typical of this population influences the school adjustment of these children. The purpose of the study was to 1) examine differences in mothers’ perceptions of family climate among children with social competency disorders (SCD), children with Verbal Learning Disabilities (VLD), and typically developing children (TYP); 2) determine whether social competency moderated the effect of the Systems Maintenance domain of the family environment on a teacher rated school outcome. Participants were 60 children, ages 8 to 14, and their mothers selected from the University of Texas at Austin Assessment of Social Competency in Children with Developmental Disorders Research Project. Data were received from a family climate questionnaire completed by mothers, a behavioral questionnaire completed by teachers, and a social competence measure administered to children. Results found that mothers of children with VLD and SCD viewed their families similarly to mothers of typically developing children and that mothers rated their families within the normal range across almost all aspects of the family environment. The single exception to this was that mothers of children with VLD perceived their family climates to be more openly expressive than mothers of children in the SCD and TYP groups, and that mothers of children in the TYP group perceived their family as more organized compared with the clinical groups. The hypothesis that social competence moderated the effect of the Systems Maintenance domain of the family environment on child study skills was not supported by the data. Lack of differences across groups with respect to almost all aspects of the family climate suggests that mothers in the clinical groups perceived strengths and assets in the family climate similarly to mothers of typically developing children. / text

A presença de doença crônica pode ser determinante de sobrecarga familiar e interferir no ambiente. Por outro lado, os aspectos familiares podem contribuir como um fator protetor ou de risco na evolução da doença. Estudos têm avaliado a sobrecarga familiar em transtornos mentais maiores, como a esquizofrenia, mas ainda não há estudos que avaliem a sobrecarga e o ambiente familiar em relação ao transtorno de pânico (TP). O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a sobrecarga e o ambiente de familiares de pacientes com TP e de familiares de pacientes com doenças clínicas. Também pretendeu verificar a relação da sobrecarga e do ambiente familiar com as características sociodemográficas dos familiares e com a gravidade do TP. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com familiares e pacientes com TP e familiares de pacientes com doenças clínicas, como hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS), diabete melito tipo 2 (DM 2) e cardiopatias. A sobrecarga foi mensurada através do Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS-BR) e, para avaliar o ambiente familiar, foi utilizada a Family Environment Scale (FES). Para verificar a gravidade dos sintomas do TP, foi utilizada a Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS). A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em ambulatório de hospital geral e aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (nº 110109). Foram incluídos no grupo do TP 67 familiares com seus respectivos pacientes e 66 familiares de pacientes com doenças clínicas. Observou-se que existem diferenças significativas entre as características sociodemográficas dos grupos. Entre os familiares de pacientes com TP, predominam indivíduos do sexo masculino e com maior escolaridade do que no outro grupo. Em relação ao grau de parentesco, há um maior número de pais como familiares cuidadores de pacientes com TP e mais filhos(as) como cuidadores de pacientes com doença clínica. A sobrecarga objetiva “assistência à vida cotidiana”, “impacto nas rotinas diárias” e “geral” foi significativamente maior para familiares de pacientes com doenças clínicas (p=0,017; p=0,032 e p=0,024, respectivamente), enquanto a sobrecarga subjetiva “assistência na vida cotidiana” foi maior para familiares de pacientes com TP (p=0,025). O ambiente familiar foi diferente entre os grupos na dimensão “conflito”, sendo significativamente maior no grupo de familiares do TP. Após a análise multivariável com o Generalized Linear Models, permaneceu como variável independente de maior sobrecarga subjetiva quando o familiar é um dos pais em ambos os grupos (p=0,001). A sobrecarga objetiva manteve-se no grupo controle (p<0,05), sendo que a subescala “impacto nas rotinas diárias” e o escore geral permaneceram associados caso o familiar fosse um dos pais (p=0,017 e p=0,021, respectivamente). O ambiente na dimensão “conflito” foi maior quando o familiar era um dos pais (p=0,045) e a “organização” foi menor no grupo de familiares de pacientes com TP (p=0,034). Também foi analisado se pertencer a um dos grupos (controle ou do TP) e se o grau de parentesco determinava a sobrecarga familiar, porém não foi encontrada interação significativa. Observou-se correlação positiva significativa entre a gravidade do TP e sobrecarga familiar objetiva e subjetiva, que se manteve como variável independente após a análise multivariável. Os resultados indicaram que existem diferenças entre os grupos quanto à sobrecarga objetiva e subjetiva e que são determinadas pelo grau de parentesco, sendo maior principalmente quando o familiar é um dos pais. Os resultados também demonstraram queque a sobrecarga familiar está relacionada à gravidade dos sintomas do TP. Portanto, a avaliação de sobrecarga familiar pode ser útil no desenvolvimento de estratégias terapêuticas focadas na própria família e, assim, contribuir para melhorar os resultados dos pacientes. / The presence of chronic disease can be a determinant of family burden and impinge upon the family environment. On the other hand, family aspects can serve as a protective or risk factor in disease evolution. Studies have assessed the family burden associated with major mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, but there are no studies that assess the family burden and environment in relation to Panic Disorder (PD). The purpose of this study was to compare the burden and environment of family members of PD patients with family members of patients with clinical diseases. It also sought to examine the relationship between family burden and environment with the sociodemographic characteristics of family members and PD severity. This was a cross sectional study involving family members and PD patients and a control group of family members of patients with clinical diseases, such as systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) or heart diseases. Burden was measured through the Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS-BR) and the family environment was assessed using the Family Environment Scale (FES). To check PD symptom severity, the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) was used. The research was conducted in the general hospital outpatient clinic and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (No. 110109). The groups were comprised of 67 family members with their respective PD patients and 66 family members of control group. It was noted that there are significant differences between the sociodemographic characteristics of the groups. The family members of PD patients are predominantly males with a higher level of education than the control group. As far as the parentage degree, there are a greater number of parents acting as family caregivers for PD patients and more sons or daughters as caregivers for patients with clinical diseases. The objective burden with respect to "assistance in everyday life", "impact on caregiver’s life " and "general" was significantly higher for family members of control group (p = .017; p = .032 and p = .024, respectively), whereas the subjective burden in terms of "assistance in everyday life" was higher for family members of patients with PD (p = .025). The family environment was different between the groups in regard to the "conflict" dimension, being significantly higher in the group of family members of PD patients. After the multivariate analysis using Generalized Linear Models, the independent variable with the highest subjective burden occurred when the family member is one of the parents regardless of the group (p = .001). The objective burden remained the same in the control group (p <.05), and the subscale of "impact on caregiver’s life" and overall score continued to be linked if the family member was one of the parents (p = .017 and p = .021, respectively). The "conflict" dimension of the environment was higher when the family member was one of the parents (p = .045) and "organization" was lower in the group of family members of PD patients (p = .034). It was also examined whether belonging to one of the groups (control or PD) and the parentage degree has a bearing on family burden, but no significant association was found. A significant positive correlation was noted between PD severity and objective and subjective family burden, which remained as an independent variable after the multivariate analysis. The results also demonstrated that family burden is related to PD symptom severity. Therefore, assessment of family burden may be useful in developing therapeutic strategies focused on family itself and thus contribute to improve patients outcomes.

Introdução: embora a sequência de aquisições motoras e cognitivas seja previsível, o seu desenvolvimento é fruto da interação de múltiplos fatores relacionados ao indivíduo, suas experiências motoras e seu ambiente de inserção. Objetivo: investigar possíveis relações dos fatores individuais e ambientais familiares com o desenvolvimento motor e cognitivo de bebês ao longo de 4 meses de vida. Metodologia: estudo longitudinal realizado em Porto Alegre, no qual foram avaliados 49 bebês em 3 momentos ao longo de 4 meses. Para avaliação do desenvolvimento dos bebês foram utilizados a Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) e a escala mental da Bayley Scale of Infant Development (BSID-II). Também foram realizados questionários com os responsáveis para caracterização da amostra, do ambiente familiar (Affordances in The Home Environment for Motor Development – Infant Scale), das práticas dos cuidadores (Daily Activities of Infant Scale – DAIS) e do conhecimento sobre o desenvolvimento infantil (Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory – KIDI). Resultados: o desenvolvimento motor teve mudanças significativas ao longo do tempo nos escores bruto e por postura, no percentil houve mudança significativa apenas do 1º para o 2º momento avaliativo e no critério de categorização não houve diferença. O desenvolvimento cognitivo apresentou mudanças significativas apenas no escore bruto; o índice de desenvolvimento mental e a categorização se mantiveram constantes. Houve correlação de nível moderado a forte entre desenvolvimento motor e cognitivo. Na análise de regressão, destaca-se a associação do desenvolvimento motor com os escores cognitivos, práticas dos cuidadores, escolaridade dos pais e renda familiar mensal; e do desenvolvimento cognitivo com o gênero, escores motores, escolaridade dos pais, renda familiar mensal, quantidade de crianças na residência e tempo de creche. Conclusão: observa-se uma maior incidência de associação do desenvolvimento motor e cognitivo dos bebês com fatores do ambiente familiar, em detrimento dos fatores do indivíduo. / Background: Although the sequence of motor and cognitive acquisitions is predictable, the development is the product of interaction of many factors associated to the individual, his motor experiences and his insertion environment. Objective: To investigate possible relationships of individual and environmental family factors with motor and cognitive development of infants over 4 months of life. Methods: longitudinal study in Porto Alegre, which 49 infants were assessed in 3 times over 4 months. Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the mental scale of the Bayley Scale of Infant Development (BSID-II) were used to evaluate the development of infants. Questionnaires were also conducted with infant´s responsible for sample characterization, family environment (Affordances in The Home Environment for Motor Development - Infant Scale), caregivers practices (Daily Activities Scale of Infant - DAIS) and knowledge about child development (Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory - KIDI). Results: the motor development had significant changes over time in raw scores and postures scores, there was significant change in the percentile only from the 1st to the 2nd time evaluative and there was no difference in the criteria for categorization. Cognitive development showed significant changes only in the raw score, the mental development index and the categorization remained constant. There was moderate to strong correlation between motor and cognitive development. In regression analysis, the motor development were associated with cognitive scores, caregivers practices, parental education and family income; and the cognitive development were associated with gender, motor scores, parental education, family income, number of children in the and daycare time. Conclusion: there is a higher incidence of association of infant’s motor and cognitive development with factors of family environment, to the detriment of the individual factors.

A presença de doença crônica pode ser determinante de sobrecarga familiar e interferir no ambiente. Por outro lado, os aspectos familiares podem contribuir como um fator protetor ou de risco na evolução da doença. Estudos têm avaliado a sobrecarga familiar em transtornos mentais maiores, como a esquizofrenia, mas ainda não há estudos que avaliem a sobrecarga e o ambiente familiar em relação ao transtorno de pânico (TP). O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a sobrecarga e o ambiente de familiares de pacientes com TP e de familiares de pacientes com doenças clínicas. Também pretendeu verificar a relação da sobrecarga e do ambiente familiar com as características sociodemográficas dos familiares e com a gravidade do TP. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com familiares e pacientes com TP e familiares de pacientes com doenças clínicas, como hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS), diabete melito tipo 2 (DM 2) e cardiopatias. A sobrecarga foi mensurada através do Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS-BR) e, para avaliar o ambiente familiar, foi utilizada a Family Environment Scale (FES). Para verificar a gravidade dos sintomas do TP, foi utilizada a Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS). A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em ambulatório de hospital geral e aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (nº 110109). Foram incluídos no grupo do TP 67 familiares com seus respectivos pacientes e 66 familiares de pacientes com doenças clínicas. Observou-se que existem diferenças significativas entre as características sociodemográficas dos grupos. Entre os familiares de pacientes com TP, predominam indivíduos do sexo masculino e com maior escolaridade do que no outro grupo. Em relação ao grau de parentesco, há um maior número de pais como familiares cuidadores de pacientes com TP e mais filhos(as) como cuidadores de pacientes com doença clínica. A sobrecarga objetiva “assistência à vida cotidiana”, “impacto nas rotinas diárias” e “geral” foi significativamente maior para familiares de pacientes com doenças clínicas (p=0,017; p=0,032 e p=0,024, respectivamente), enquanto a sobrecarga subjetiva “assistência na vida cotidiana” foi maior para familiares de pacientes com TP (p=0,025). O ambiente familiar foi diferente entre os grupos na dimensão “conflito”, sendo significativamente maior no grupo de familiares do TP. Após a análise multivariável com o Generalized Linear Models, permaneceu como variável independente de maior sobrecarga subjetiva quando o familiar é um dos pais em ambos os grupos (p=0,001). A sobrecarga objetiva manteve-se no grupo controle (p<0,05), sendo que a subescala “impacto nas rotinas diárias” e o escore geral permaneceram associados caso o familiar fosse um dos pais (p=0,017 e p=0,021, respectivamente). O ambiente na dimensão “conflito” foi maior quando o familiar era um dos pais (p=0,045) e a “organização” foi menor no grupo de familiares de pacientes com TP (p=0,034). Também foi analisado se pertencer a um dos grupos (controle ou do TP) e se o grau de parentesco determinava a sobrecarga familiar, porém não foi encontrada interação significativa. Observou-se correlação positiva significativa entre a gravidade do TP e sobrecarga familiar objetiva e subjetiva, que se manteve como variável independente após a análise multivariável. Os resultados indicaram que existem diferenças entre os grupos quanto à sobrecarga objetiva e subjetiva e que são determinadas pelo grau de parentesco, sendo maior principalmente quando o familiar é um dos pais. Os resultados também demonstraram queque a sobrecarga familiar está relacionada à gravidade dos sintomas do TP. Portanto, a avaliação de sobrecarga familiar pode ser útil no desenvolvimento de estratégias terapêuticas focadas na própria família e, assim, contribuir para melhorar os resultados dos pacientes. / The presence of chronic disease can be a determinant of family burden and impinge upon the family environment. On the other hand, family aspects can serve as a protective or risk factor in disease evolution. Studies have assessed the family burden associated with major mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, but there are no studies that assess the family burden and environment in relation to Panic Disorder (PD). The purpose of this study was to compare the burden and environment of family members of PD patients with family members of patients with clinical diseases. It also sought to examine the relationship between family burden and environment with the sociodemographic characteristics of family members and PD severity. This was a cross sectional study involving family members and PD patients and a control group of family members of patients with clinical diseases, such as systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) or heart diseases. Burden was measured through the Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS-BR) and the family environment was assessed using the Family Environment Scale (FES). To check PD symptom severity, the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) was used. The research was conducted in the general hospital outpatient clinic and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (No. 110109). The groups were comprised of 67 family members with their respective PD patients and 66 family members of control group. It was noted that there are significant differences between the sociodemographic characteristics of the groups. The family members of PD patients are predominantly males with a higher level of education than the control group. As far as the parentage degree, there are a greater number of parents acting as family caregivers for PD patients and more sons or daughters as caregivers for patients with clinical diseases. The objective burden with respect to "assistance in everyday life", "impact on caregiver’s life " and "general" was significantly higher for family members of control group (p = .017; p = .032 and p = .024, respectively), whereas the subjective burden in terms of "assistance in everyday life" was higher for family members of patients with PD (p = .025). The family environment was different between the groups in regard to the "conflict" dimension, being significantly higher in the group of family members of PD patients. After the multivariate analysis using Generalized Linear Models, the independent variable with the highest subjective burden occurred when the family member is one of the parents regardless of the group (p = .001). The objective burden remained the same in the control group (p <.05), and the subscale of "impact on caregiver’s life" and overall score continued to be linked if the family member was one of the parents (p = .017 and p = .021, respectively). The "conflict" dimension of the environment was higher when the family member was one of the parents (p = .045) and "organization" was lower in the group of family members of PD patients (p = .034). It was also examined whether belonging to one of the groups (control or PD) and the parentage degree has a bearing on family burden, but no significant association was found. A significant positive correlation was noted between PD severity and objective and subjective family burden, which remained as an independent variable after the multivariate analysis. The results also demonstrated that family burden is related to PD symptom severity. Therefore, assessment of family burden may be useful in developing therapeutic strategies focused on family itself and thus contribute to improve patients outcomes.

Introdução: embora a sequência de aquisições motoras e cognitivas seja previsível, o seu desenvolvimento é fruto da interação de múltiplos fatores relacionados ao indivíduo, suas experiências motoras e seu ambiente de inserção. Objetivo: investigar possíveis relações dos fatores individuais e ambientais familiares com o desenvolvimento motor e cognitivo de bebês ao longo de 4 meses de vida. Metodologia: estudo longitudinal realizado em Porto Alegre, no qual foram avaliados 49 bebês em 3 momentos ao longo de 4 meses. Para avaliação do desenvolvimento dos bebês foram utilizados a Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) e a escala mental da Bayley Scale of Infant Development (BSID-II). Também foram realizados questionários com os responsáveis para caracterização da amostra, do ambiente familiar (Affordances in The Home Environment for Motor Development – Infant Scale), das práticas dos cuidadores (Daily Activities of Infant Scale – DAIS) e do conhecimento sobre o desenvolvimento infantil (Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory – KIDI). Resultados: o desenvolvimento motor teve mudanças significativas ao longo do tempo nos escores bruto e por postura, no percentil houve mudança significativa apenas do 1º para o 2º momento avaliativo e no critério de categorização não houve diferença. O desenvolvimento cognitivo apresentou mudanças significativas apenas no escore bruto; o índice de desenvolvimento mental e a categorização se mantiveram constantes. Houve correlação de nível moderado a forte entre desenvolvimento motor e cognitivo. Na análise de regressão, destaca-se a associação do desenvolvimento motor com os escores cognitivos, práticas dos cuidadores, escolaridade dos pais e renda familiar mensal; e do desenvolvimento cognitivo com o gênero, escores motores, escolaridade dos pais, renda familiar mensal, quantidade de crianças na residência e tempo de creche. Conclusão: observa-se uma maior incidência de associação do desenvolvimento motor e cognitivo dos bebês com fatores do ambiente familiar, em detrimento dos fatores do indivíduo. / Background: Although the sequence of motor and cognitive acquisitions is predictable, the development is the product of interaction of many factors associated to the individual, his motor experiences and his insertion environment. Objective: To investigate possible relationships of individual and environmental family factors with motor and cognitive development of infants over 4 months of life. Methods: longitudinal study in Porto Alegre, which 49 infants were assessed in 3 times over 4 months. Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the mental scale of the Bayley Scale of Infant Development (BSID-II) were used to evaluate the development of infants. Questionnaires were also conducted with infant´s responsible for sample characterization, family environment (Affordances in The Home Environment for Motor Development - Infant Scale), caregivers practices (Daily Activities Scale of Infant - DAIS) and knowledge about child development (Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory - KIDI). Results: the motor development had significant changes over time in raw scores and postures scores, there was significant change in the percentile only from the 1st to the 2nd time evaluative and there was no difference in the criteria for categorization. Cognitive development showed significant changes only in the raw score, the mental development index and the categorization remained constant. There was moderate to strong correlation between motor and cognitive development. In regression analysis, the motor development were associated with cognitive scores, caregivers practices, parental education and family income; and the cognitive development were associated with gender, motor scores, parental education, family income, number of children in the and daycare time. Conclusion: there is a higher incidence of association of infant’s motor and cognitive development with factors of family environment, to the detriment of the individual factors.

A presença de doença crônica pode ser determinante de sobrecarga familiar e interferir no ambiente. Por outro lado, os aspectos familiares podem contribuir como um fator protetor ou de risco na evolução da doença. Estudos têm avaliado a sobrecarga familiar em transtornos mentais maiores, como a esquizofrenia, mas ainda não há estudos que avaliem a sobrecarga e o ambiente familiar em relação ao transtorno de pânico (TP). O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a sobrecarga e o ambiente de familiares de pacientes com TP e de familiares de pacientes com doenças clínicas. Também pretendeu verificar a relação da sobrecarga e do ambiente familiar com as características sociodemográficas dos familiares e com a gravidade do TP. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com familiares e pacientes com TP e familiares de pacientes com doenças clínicas, como hipertensão arterial sistêmica (HAS), diabete melito tipo 2 (DM 2) e cardiopatias. A sobrecarga foi mensurada através do Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS-BR) e, para avaliar o ambiente familiar, foi utilizada a Family Environment Scale (FES). Para verificar a gravidade dos sintomas do TP, foi utilizada a Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS). A pesquisa foi desenvolvida em ambulatório de hospital geral e aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (nº 110109). Foram incluídos no grupo do TP 67 familiares com seus respectivos pacientes e 66 familiares de pacientes com doenças clínicas. Observou-se que existem diferenças significativas entre as características sociodemográficas dos grupos. Entre os familiares de pacientes com TP, predominam indivíduos do sexo masculino e com maior escolaridade do que no outro grupo. Em relação ao grau de parentesco, há um maior número de pais como familiares cuidadores de pacientes com TP e mais filhos(as) como cuidadores de pacientes com doença clínica. A sobrecarga objetiva “assistência à vida cotidiana”, “impacto nas rotinas diárias” e “geral” foi significativamente maior para familiares de pacientes com doenças clínicas (p=0,017; p=0,032 e p=0,024, respectivamente), enquanto a sobrecarga subjetiva “assistência na vida cotidiana” foi maior para familiares de pacientes com TP (p=0,025). O ambiente familiar foi diferente entre os grupos na dimensão “conflito”, sendo significativamente maior no grupo de familiares do TP. Após a análise multivariável com o Generalized Linear Models, permaneceu como variável independente de maior sobrecarga subjetiva quando o familiar é um dos pais em ambos os grupos (p=0,001). A sobrecarga objetiva manteve-se no grupo controle (p<0,05), sendo que a subescala “impacto nas rotinas diárias” e o escore geral permaneceram associados caso o familiar fosse um dos pais (p=0,017 e p=0,021, respectivamente). O ambiente na dimensão “conflito” foi maior quando o familiar era um dos pais (p=0,045) e a “organização” foi menor no grupo de familiares de pacientes com TP (p=0,034). Também foi analisado se pertencer a um dos grupos (controle ou do TP) e se o grau de parentesco determinava a sobrecarga familiar, porém não foi encontrada interação significativa. Observou-se correlação positiva significativa entre a gravidade do TP e sobrecarga familiar objetiva e subjetiva, que se manteve como variável independente após a análise multivariável. Os resultados indicaram que existem diferenças entre os grupos quanto à sobrecarga objetiva e subjetiva e que são determinadas pelo grau de parentesco, sendo maior principalmente quando o familiar é um dos pais. Os resultados também demonstraram queque a sobrecarga familiar está relacionada à gravidade dos sintomas do TP. Portanto, a avaliação de sobrecarga familiar pode ser útil no desenvolvimento de estratégias terapêuticas focadas na própria família e, assim, contribuir para melhorar os resultados dos pacientes. / The presence of chronic disease can be a determinant of family burden and impinge upon the family environment. On the other hand, family aspects can serve as a protective or risk factor in disease evolution. Studies have assessed the family burden associated with major mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, but there are no studies that assess the family burden and environment in relation to Panic Disorder (PD). The purpose of this study was to compare the burden and environment of family members of PD patients with family members of patients with clinical diseases. It also sought to examine the relationship between family burden and environment with the sociodemographic characteristics of family members and PD severity. This was a cross sectional study involving family members and PD patients and a control group of family members of patients with clinical diseases, such as systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) or heart diseases. Burden was measured through the Family Burden Interview Schedule (FBIS-BR) and the family environment was assessed using the Family Environment Scale (FES). To check PD symptom severity, the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) was used. The research was conducted in the general hospital outpatient clinic and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre (No. 110109). The groups were comprised of 67 family members with their respective PD patients and 66 family members of control group. It was noted that there are significant differences between the sociodemographic characteristics of the groups. The family members of PD patients are predominantly males with a higher level of education than the control group. As far as the parentage degree, there are a greater number of parents acting as family caregivers for PD patients and more sons or daughters as caregivers for patients with clinical diseases. The objective burden with respect to "assistance in everyday life", "impact on caregiver’s life " and "general" was significantly higher for family members of control group (p = .017; p = .032 and p = .024, respectively), whereas the subjective burden in terms of "assistance in everyday life" was higher for family members of patients with PD (p = .025). The family environment was different between the groups in regard to the "conflict" dimension, being significantly higher in the group of family members of PD patients. After the multivariate analysis using Generalized Linear Models, the independent variable with the highest subjective burden occurred when the family member is one of the parents regardless of the group (p = .001). The objective burden remained the same in the control group (p <.05), and the subscale of "impact on caregiver’s life" and overall score continued to be linked if the family member was one of the parents (p = .017 and p = .021, respectively). The "conflict" dimension of the environment was higher when the family member was one of the parents (p = .045) and "organization" was lower in the group of family members of PD patients (p = .034). It was also examined whether belonging to one of the groups (control or PD) and the parentage degree has a bearing on family burden, but no significant association was found. A significant positive correlation was noted between PD severity and objective and subjective family burden, which remained as an independent variable after the multivariate analysis. The results also demonstrated that family burden is related to PD symptom severity. Therefore, assessment of family burden may be useful in developing therapeutic strategies focused on family itself and thus contribute to improve patients outcomes.

Introdução: embora a sequência de aquisições motoras e cognitivas seja previsível, o seu desenvolvimento é fruto da interação de múltiplos fatores relacionados ao indivíduo, suas experiências motoras e seu ambiente de inserção. Objetivo: investigar possíveis relações dos fatores individuais e ambientais familiares com o desenvolvimento motor e cognitivo de bebês ao longo de 4 meses de vida. Metodologia: estudo longitudinal realizado em Porto Alegre, no qual foram avaliados 49 bebês em 3 momentos ao longo de 4 meses. Para avaliação do desenvolvimento dos bebês foram utilizados a Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) e a escala mental da Bayley Scale of Infant Development (BSID-II). Também foram realizados questionários com os responsáveis para caracterização da amostra, do ambiente familiar (Affordances in The Home Environment for Motor Development – Infant Scale), das práticas dos cuidadores (Daily Activities of Infant Scale – DAIS) e do conhecimento sobre o desenvolvimento infantil (Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory – KIDI). Resultados: o desenvolvimento motor teve mudanças significativas ao longo do tempo nos escores bruto e por postura, no percentil houve mudança significativa apenas do 1º para o 2º momento avaliativo e no critério de categorização não houve diferença. O desenvolvimento cognitivo apresentou mudanças significativas apenas no escore bruto; o índice de desenvolvimento mental e a categorização se mantiveram constantes. Houve correlação de nível moderado a forte entre desenvolvimento motor e cognitivo. Na análise de regressão, destaca-se a associação do desenvolvimento motor com os escores cognitivos, práticas dos cuidadores, escolaridade dos pais e renda familiar mensal; e do desenvolvimento cognitivo com o gênero, escores motores, escolaridade dos pais, renda familiar mensal, quantidade de crianças na residência e tempo de creche. Conclusão: observa-se uma maior incidência de associação do desenvolvimento motor e cognitivo dos bebês com fatores do ambiente familiar, em detrimento dos fatores do indivíduo. / Background: Although the sequence of motor and cognitive acquisitions is predictable, the development is the product of interaction of many factors associated to the individual, his motor experiences and his insertion environment. Objective: To investigate possible relationships of individual and environmental family factors with motor and cognitive development of infants over 4 months of life. Methods: longitudinal study in Porto Alegre, which 49 infants were assessed in 3 times over 4 months. Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the mental scale of the Bayley Scale of Infant Development (BSID-II) were used to evaluate the development of infants. Questionnaires were also conducted with infant´s responsible for sample characterization, family environment (Affordances in The Home Environment for Motor Development - Infant Scale), caregivers practices (Daily Activities Scale of Infant - DAIS) and knowledge about child development (Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory - KIDI). Results: the motor development had significant changes over time in raw scores and postures scores, there was significant change in the percentile only from the 1st to the 2nd time evaluative and there was no difference in the criteria for categorization. Cognitive development showed significant changes only in the raw score, the mental development index and the categorization remained constant. There was moderate to strong correlation between motor and cognitive development. In regression analysis, the motor development were associated with cognitive scores, caregivers practices, parental education and family income; and the cognitive development were associated with gender, motor scores, parental education, family income, number of children in the and daycare time. Conclusion: there is a higher incidence of association of infant’s motor and cognitive development with factors of family environment, to the detriment of the individual factors.

The purpose of this study was to examine family influences on career development and aspirations of young adults. Theories and research have examined the influence parents have on children's career development, but because of the multiple factors that influence career choices, understanding the family's influence is complex. The current study utilized ideas from self-determination, attachment, and career development theories to develop a framework for understanding how families influence young adult career development and aspirations. Rather than directly influencing career decisions, the family was proposed to influence processes within individuals that directly influence successful career development. This study used hierarchical regression analyses to test whether different aspects of family relationships and the family environment affect processes within young people, which in turn influence career development. A sample of 99 female and 34 male undergraduate students between 18 and 20 (mean age 18.67) completed questionnaires. Results support the idea that different aspects of the family influence diverse factors of career development and future aspirations. The achievement orientation of the family was predictive of career salience and extrinsic aspirations. Conflict with mothers was predictive of career salience, yet support and depth in the relationship with mothers and low amounts of conflict in the relationship with fathers were predictive of career maturity. High career salience was also predictive of career maturity. The hypothesis that factors play a mediating role between the family and career development variables was not supported. These findings suggest future research should assess multiple aspects of the family and multiple facets regarding career development to more fully understand this process. In addition, findings support the idea that career counselors should assess family functioning when helping young people in their career development journey.

Utilizing ECLS-K:2011 data, this study compares adopted and biological children to account for the role of heritable characteristics in explaining the relationship between family environments and children's cognitive skills. I find that cognitive skills do not differ across adopted and biological children after adjusting for the systematic differences between them. I also find that the relationship between family environment and children's cognitive skills does not differ across adopted and biological children. Taken together, these results suggest that the relationship between family environment and children's cognitive skills is not spurious.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common group of genetic, chronic hematologic disorders, and is characterized by chronic pain resulting from vaso-occlusive episodes. As such, youth with SCD utilize a disproportionately high amount of health care resources. Youth with frequent health care utilization (HCU) are at increased risk for psychosocial consequences, including disruptions in family functioning and decreased academic performance. While studies have separately examined HCU, family functioning, and academic achievement in this population, there is a dearth of research examining the association between these variables. The present study aimed to: (1) examine associations between family environment and patterns of HCU, (2) examine associations between patterns of HCU and academic achievement scores in math and reading, and (3) evaluate the indirect effect of family environment on academic achievement scores in math, as explained by patterns of HCU. This study included 41 youth with HbSS or HbS beta-thalassemia. Youth were administered the Woodcock-Johnson III Achievement, and caregivers completed the Family Environment Scale. Sociodemographic characteristics were collected, and medical history information was obtained via retrospective medical chart review. Overall, participants reported a more positive family environment, demonstrated less pain-related ED visits and hospital admissions, and obtained below average scores on academic achievement in math and reading. The present study did not provide evidence of associations between family environment, HCU, and academic achievement. Unique characteristics of the study sample, as well as clinical implications and next steps for future research are discussed.