This project investigated characteristics relating to family functioning and attitudes to mental illness, and caregiving, which distinguish families choosing to care for children of parents with mental illness (CPMI) from families who choose not to but do care for other children (NCPMI), and from families not involved in the adoptive care system (COMM). Welfare agencies seeking long term home based care for children of parents with mental illness (among other groups of children) report that potential caregivers are concerned about the child’s genetic risk, and the requirement that they facilitate access visits with the birth parent. Consequently it is more difficult to recruit caregivers to care for children of parents with mental illness. Previous studies found that families who adopt children with special needs had family systems that were flexible and able to adapt to changing needs, and in which family members felt close to one another. It was not known if the functioning of families who care for children of parents with mental illness would differ from other family groups. Nor was it known if these families would differ in motivation to be caregivers and attitudes to mental illness from other family groups. / Forty four families completed a questionnaire providing background information, and a family functioning questionnaire which included the FACES II measure (Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale) and questions assessing level of altruism, and tendency to respond in a socially desirable manner. Data from the FACES II measure was used to classify families according to the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems. Q-methodology was used to assess participants’ attitudes to eight issues related to the research question: mental illness, children of parents with mental illness, parents having a mental illness, family environment, motivation to be caregivers, ongoing contact between child in care and parent, approval of others when deciding to be a caregiver, and flexibility in deciding to accept a certain child for placement. The Q-method required participants to rate 42 statements (a Q-set), concerning these issues, according to a fixed distribution, from statements with which they strongly agreed to statements with which they strongly disagreed. / Participants could also give open-ended responses to questions addressing the same issues in a semi-structured interview. The CPMI group were found to have a lower level of income and education than the other two groups, and were more likely to be full time caregivers. Both caregiver groups were unlikely to have children of their own. The profiles of the three groups on the cohesion and flexibility sub-scales of FACES II were similar. The classification of the family groups on the Circumplex model showed that the CPMI group were located in the balanced and mid-range levels of the model more so than the other two groups. Responses to the Q-sort and interview questions suggested that the CPMI families were more understanding of mental illness, and of the needs of the children and capacity of their parents. It is suggested that future studies increase the number of participants, and investigate in more detail the factors which motivate families who provide long term care for children of parents with mental illness.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:50:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-03-25 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / O Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção e Hiperatividade (TDA/H) é um dos transtornos mentais mais comuns na infância e adolescência levando a uma série de problemas escolares e sociais. Estudos indicam que a estrutura e o funcionamento da família influenciam o surgimento de sintomas ou a sua perpetuação. Objetivos: Estudar as associações entre a estrutura familiar e os sintomas de Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção- Hiperatividade e examinar a confiabilidade do instrumento de avaliação das relações familiares (EFE - Entrevista Familiar Estruturada; Feres- Carneiro, 1983). Método: Estudo caso-controle com amostra pareada realizado com 10 famílias de crianças (7 a 12 anos) que freqüentaram ambulatório especializado por apresentarem Transtorno do Déficit de Atenção (TDAH) e 10 famílias de crianças que não apresentaram o déficit. Estas foram identificadas nas escolas e salas de aula das crianças com déficit. Para o diagnóstico de TDAH as crianças foram examinadas com testes neuropsicológicos na sua capacidade de atenção (Conners Continuous Performance Test), flexibilidade mental (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test-WCST), memória operacional (Teste Dígitos, Teste Blocos de Corsi), capacidade intelectual e habilidades específicas (WISC –III). O comportamento foi avaliado através da Escala de avaliação do Comportamento Infantil para o Professor (EACIP). A avaliação do funcionamento familiar foi feita por meio de duas escalas: Entrevista Familiar Estruturada (Feres- Carneiro, 1983) e Escala de Ambiente Familiar (Moos & Moos, 1986). As diferenças entre as médias de estruturação da família nos grupos com e sem TDAH foram testadas com o teste t-student para amostras pareadas. A análise de confiabilidade da Escala Entrevista Familiar Estrururada (EFE) foi feita em três etapas: análise de consistência interna (alfa de Cronbach) para o conjunto das avaliações dos entrevistadores e dos observadores, alfa de Cronback depois de excluídas cada uma das questões, análise de correlação item-total e o coeficiente de correlação intraclasse. Resultados: As famílias controle obtiveram médias maiores do que as famílias caso em todos os itens da escala Entrevista Familiar Estruturada (EFE). Na Escala de Ambiente Familiar (FES) as famílias controle também obtiveram médias maiores nas dimensões: coesão, realização, organização, expressividade e independência. Apenas na dimensão de conflitos as famílias caso apresentaram melhor desempenho. No estudo de confiabilidade da Escala Entrevista Familiar Estruturada (EFE) o coeficiente de correlação intra-classe do escore total da escala foi de 0.98, consistência interna medida pelo Alfa de Cronbach igual a 0.98 e correlações item-total acima de 0.84, mostrando um grau de concordância alto. Conclusão: A Escala Entrevista Familiar Estruturada (EFE) mostrou um desempenho bom tanto em relação a sua consistência interna quanto nas correlações item-total. As famílias de portadores de TDA/H apresentaram deficiências na sua estruturação o que pode ter sérias implicações na promoção de saúde emocional da criança e de seus membros. / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T14:47:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1327064 bytes, checksum: 1fab681a4acfb2dfa97f05810b699aac (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-20 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The longevity reached for the Brazilian population, although to represent advance for the people in this stage of the life, in such a way presents impacts in the family and the society, bringing reflections concerning the search of new knowledge for the understanding of the necessities in the physical scope, how much in the psychic one and the social of the aged. This study it objectified to evaluate the familiar functionality and its relation with the depressive picture in aged; to identify depressive symptoms in aged; and to verify association of the APGAR of Family of aged with the sociodemographic variable and the depressive picture. Treaties are estudo of descritivo-analytic of quantitative boarding, developed in the city of João Pessoa, who involved 225 aged ones taken care of in an Integral Center of Attention to the Health of the Aged. The data had been collected in the period of August the September of 2013, using the following instruments: Mini State Mental Exam of the Mental State, Scale of Geriatrical Depression and APGAR of Family. The analysis of the data was carried through using software SPSS. Descriptive statistics was adopted, exploratória and the association of the variable was carried through by means of the tests of accurate chi-square and of Fisher. The age average was evidenced that of aged he was 68,94 (± 5,69), with predominance of the feminine sex (85,78%), married (44%), catholics (61,78%), complete basic education (45,78%), familiar income of a minimum wage (50%). Of the total of 225 aged ones, 32.89% had presented depressivos symptoms. Amongst the sociodemographic variable, and the symptoms of depression. statistical significant association was verified only enters the level of education. How much to the familiar functionality, 62,67% aged had considered its families as functional and 37,33% had presented family dysfunction; amongst these, 20,44% moderate dysfunction and 16,89% raised. It did not have statistical significant association between the sociodemographic variable and Family Functionality. In relation to the dimensions of the APGAR of Family, the 'Fellowship' category represented the highest percentage of dissatisfaction in elderly patients with dysfunctional families. Already elderly patients with depressive symptoms was the "Resolve" category. Elderly inserted into functional families assessed as positive relationships established with all the relatives.While elderly patients with dysfunctional families revealed they are not satisfied with brothers-in-law, son-in-laws and nephews. As for the elderly with symptoms of depression, relationships with brothers, daughters and in-laws had a reasonable percentage of negative reviews. With regard to the correlation of family functioning with symptoms of depression, there was strong statistical association. The understanding of family functioning, as well as what your involvement may cause, such as disease of the elderly, appears to be a promising way for service planning and effective interventions for the elderly population. / A longevidade alcançada pela população brasileira, apesar de representar avanço para as pessoas nessa etapa da vida, apresenta impactos na família e na sociedade, trazendo reflexões acerca da busca de novos conhecimentos para a compreensão das necessidades tanto no âmbito físico, quanto no psíquico e no social do idoso. Este estudo objetivou avaliar a funcionalidade familiar e sua relação com o quadro depressivo em idosos; identificar sintomas depressivos em idosos; e verificar associação do APGAR de Família com as variáveis sociodemográficas e quadro depressivo. Trata-se de estudo descritivo-analítico de abordagem quantitativa, desenvolvido no município de João Pessoa-PB, que envolveu 225 idosos atendidos em um Centro Integral de Atenção à Saúde do Idoso. Os dados foram coletados no período de agosto a setembro de 2013, utilizando-se os seguintes instrumentos: Mini Exame do Estado Mental, Escala de Depressão Geriátrica e APGAR de Família. A análise dos dados foi realizada empregando o software SPSS. Adotou-se estatística descritiva, exploratória e a associação das variáveis foi realizada por meio dos testes de qui-quadrado e exato de Fisher. Constatou-se que a média de idade dos idosos foi 68,94 (± 5,69), com predomínio do sexo feminino (85,78%), casados (44%), católicos (61,78%), ensino fundamental completo (45,78%), renda familiar de um salário mínimo (50%). Do total de 225 idosos, 32,89% apresentaram sintomas depressivos. Dentre as variáveis sociodemográficas e os sintomas de depressão, verificou-se associação estatística significativa, somente entre o nível de escolaridade. Quanto à funcionalidade familiar, 62,67% idosos consideraram suas famílias como funcionais e 37,33% apresentaram disfunção familiar; dentre estes, 20,44% disfunção moderada e 16,89% elevada. Não houve associação estatisticamente significante entre as variáveis sociodemográficas e Funcionalidade Familiar. Em relação às dimensões do APGAR de família, a categoria Companheirismo‟ representou maior percentual de insatisfação nos idosos com famílias disfuncionais. Já nos idosos com sintomas depressivos foi a categoria Resolve . Os idosos inseridos em famílias funcionais avaliaram como positivas as relações estabelecidas com todos os parentes. Enquanto que os idosos com famílias disfuncionais revelaram não estarem satisfeitos com cunhados, genros e sobrinhos. Já para os idosos com sintomas de depressão, a relação com irmãos, noras e cunhados apresentou um percentual razoável de avaliações negativas. No que se refere à correlação de funcionalidade familiar com sintomas de depressão, constatou-se forte associação estatística. A compreensão da funcionalidade familiar, bem como o que o seu comprometimento pode causar, como o adoecimento do idoso, parece ser um caminho promissor para o planejamento de serviços e intervenções eficientes para a população idosa.

A Doença de Alzheimer (DA) é uma doença progressiva e irreversível, que causa perda de memória, comprometimento nas atividades motoras e consequentemente comprometimento da autonomia, levando a pessoa doente a necessitar de auxílio. A dinâmica de cuidado, do casamento e da família se modificam de acordo com a progressão da doença, verificando-se a necessidade de maior apoio aos cônjuges cuidadores. Este estudo objetivou analisar a conjugalidade e o funcionamento familiar na perspectiva de esposas cuidadoras brasileiras e portuguesas de idosos com DA. Participaram da pesquisa 12 mulheres, sendo a amostra obtida por conveniência. Foram utilizados um questionário com questões fechadas e entrevista com roteiro semiestruturado sendo os dados analisados pela técnica de análise de conteúdo de Bardin e análise estatística descritiva. Os resultados destacaram que apesar das diferenças culturais, alguns significados atribuídos ao conceito casamento e cuidado, no contexto da doença de Alzheimer, foram semelhantes para as esposas brasileiras e portuguesas. Verificou-se também, que com relação as mudanças conjugais relacionadas à demência, a maioria das esposas sentia- se bem executando seu papel de cuidadora, e que o impacto causado pela doença nem sempre é visto de forma negativa no casamento. E, por fim, os resultados também identificaram tipos de suporte diferentes recebidos pelas esposas brasileiras e portuguesas, podendo este dado ser ocasionado devido as diferenças culturais / Alzheimer\'s Disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible disease, which causes memory loss, impaired motor activity and consequently impairs autonomy, causing the sick person to need help. The dynamics of care, marriage and family change according to the progression of the disease, and there is a need for greater support to the caregiver spouses. This study aimed to analyze conjugality and family functioning in the perspective of Brazilian and Portuguese caregivers of elderly people with AD. Twelve women participated in the study, and the sample was obtained for convenience. We used a questionnaire with closed questions and interview with a semi-structured script, the data analyzed by the Bardin content analysis technique and descriptive statistical analysis. The results pointed out that despite the cultural differences, some meanings attributed to the concept of marriage and care in the context of Alzheimer\'s disease were similar for Brazilian and Portuguese wives. It was also found that in relation to marital changes related to dementia, most wives felt well performing their role of caregiver, and that the impact caused by the disease is not always seen negatively in marriage. And, finally, the results also identified different types of support received by the Brazilian and Portuguese wives, which may be due to cultural differences

The aim of this study is to establish the impact of mental retardation on family functioning. The researcher conducted the research in the Waterberg district of the Limpopo province. The lack of insight on the part of the family on how to cope with such circumstances motivated the researcher to conduct the study. Most families do not have the experience of caring for a mentally handicapped member and therefore need information and support on how to cope with the condition. The study is qualitative and exploratory in nature. The research question was; “What is the impact of mental retardation on family functioning”? A simple random sampling was used in the study. The sample was selected from all the registered children attending three different day- care centres in the Waterberg district for the past three months prior the investigation. Ten parents (one per household) of children with mental retardation were interviewed using a semi structured interview schedule. A phenomenological design was used and participants’ experiences of family life and reactions to the realization that they have a child with mental retardation are discussed. Data consisted of audio taped and written interviews. The data collected was transcribed and analyzed according to qualitative methods. The research findings show that mental retardation has an impact on family functioning. Families had to make new adjustments to accommodate the child and his/her special needs. The researcher recommends that service providers should receive training on issues related to mental retardation so as to provide the much needed services to these families. It was found that the burden of caring, financial constraints, lack of community support, the manner in which the disclosure was handled and the lack of services, all had a negative impact on the family. / Dissertation (MA(Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Recent advances in assisted reproductive technologies have resulted in an increasing number of children born by gamete donation. Children conceived by egg donation lack a genetic link with their mother whereas children conceived by donor insemination lack a genetic link with their father. In families in which parents do not disclose their use of donated gametes, the child is unaware that their mother or their father in not their genetic parent. The aim of this thesis was to assess the impact of non-disclosure, and of the absence of a genetic link between parent and child, on family functioning and child adjustment. Data were obtained from a representative sample of 36 donor insemination, 32 egg donation and 54 natural conception families when the target child was 7 years old. Standardised interview, questionnaire and observational data were obtained from mothers, fathers, children and the child?s teacher. Few differences in family functioning were found between disclosing and non-disclosing gamete donation families. Likewise, few differences emerged between gamete donation families and natural conception families. The families were found to be functioning well irrespective of whether the parents had disclosed and of whether the child lacked a genetic link with a parent. However, comparisons between donor insemination and egg donation families showed that disclosure status and family type interacted in complex ways. Contrary to predictions, disclosure was not always associated with favourable outcomes. Children in disclosing donor insemination families were rated by teachers as having fewer behavioural problems. However, observational ratings showed lower levels of positive mother-child interaction in disclosing egg donation families. The process of disclosure was also explored. In all but one disclosing family, parents had started to talk to their child about their donor conception by age 4, with disclosure typically initiated and maintained by the mother. Despite mothers? concerns, children did not appear distressed by information about their donor conception. However, interviews with the children themselves suggested that most had little understanding of their donor conception at age 7.

Previous research indicates that stressors experienced by a family, the perceived level of burden assigned by the family to the stressor, and the utilization of resources predict family functioning. The current study utilized a nationally representative sample of families of children with autistic disorder to determine if previously proposed models of family functioning accurately conceptualized family functioning within a representative sample. Structural equation modeling was utilized to test the double ABCX and the linear ACBX models of family functioning. With slight modifications, the double ABCX model was supported, thus indicating that pileup of stressors, perception of burden, and utilization of resources each have unique predictive ability for family functioning, with perception of burden demonstrating the highest amount of predictive ability. Results, implications, and limitations of the study are discussed.

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / Family resilience has become an important concept in mental health and family research over the past twenty years. An assessment tool that was found to assess this concept within western English-speaking populations is the Family Resilience Assessment Scale (FRAS). The FRAS was developed by Sixbey and is based on Walsh’s model of family resilience, a prominent theorist in family resilience research. A recent study has translated and adapted the original scale into Afrikaans, which is one of the eleven official languages of South Africa. This was done for the FRAS to be utilised in a context other than the one it was developed for.

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which actual (e.g., density and openness) and perceptual (e.g., crowding and distance) elements of the spatial home environment act as predictors of family functioning. Data were gathered from 126 families whose child was attending a university’s preschool/kindergarten facility in a mid-sized community in the Western United States. Structural equation modeling (SEM, AMOS 19.0) was employed to examine the strength of the relationships within the model. Results showed that though actual home items (specifically density and great room openness) affect family functioning outcomes, perceived crowding was especially influential as a mediational variable. Findings suggest that how one perceives his or her home environment has more of an effect on family functioning than actual home characteristics.