Families provide individual members with a means of financial, social, and emotional support (Lavee, McCubbin & Olsen, 1987; Minuchin, 1985). Individuals have sought ways to improve family functioning in order to aid in personal development and the betterment of society (Broderick, 1993). Past research has shown that families that play or recreate together are likely to have higher levels of functioning (Orthner & Mancini, 1991). Youth sport has also been shown to be an external system that can provide a context that can lead to positive outcomes (Ewing et al., 2002). High functioning families set and achieve goals, regulate external boundaries, manage internal communications and regulate space within the family (Broderick, 1993). Coakley (2009) notes that the emphasis in youth sport in the U.S. has shifted towards a focus on skill development. With this shift, the time and financial demands on families for participation in these sport leagues has increased as well. While we know much about how families support sport participation, we know little about how this participation impacts families. This study seeks to answer the following research questions:What elements of the youth sport experience place particular demands on the family system? How do the aspects of family functioning interact with sport to mitigate the effects of the demands placed on the family from participation from youth sports? Seven families with at least one child participating in elite youth sport were interviewed. The data showed that families are willingly engaging with these leagues despite the stress they place on the family. Large financial and time demands are placed on the family that impacts the family in various ways. Elite youth sport is given high priority that may impact the marital dyad and the non-athlete sibling. Despite the additional strain that these leagues place on the family, families are still making a series of trade-offs to enroll in these leagues for the skill development of their child. / text

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the relation between family functioning and children's response to treatment for overweight in a primary care setting. Methods: Sixty predominantly African American (72%) parents of children who are overweight were recruited from a pediatric outpatient clinic to provide information about family functioning. Children's success in treatment was tracked through medical chart review. Results: Parents' baseline self-report of family adaptability was associated with child body mass index z-scores (zBMI) at 3-month follow-up, although this association was no longer significant once baseline child zBMI was taken into account. Conclusions: Families with greater ability to adopt/implement changes may have children who do better in weight loss treatment. This preliminary study provides a model for integrating family systems ideas into pediatric overweight research and offers heuristic value as well as directions for future research in primary care settings.

Suicide is a leading cause of death among adolescents and young adults. Numerous risk factors have been identified in the literature, including poor problem-solving skills, poor family functioning, excessive risk-taking behaviors, legal difficulties, and school difficulties. Deficits in problem-solving skills and poor family functioning are typically reported together, indicating a relationship between the two. However, no previous studies have identified this relationship. The purpose of this study was to identify possible relationships between two known risk factors and suicidal ideation, to determine whether problem-solving skills taught in the experimental groups reduce suicidal ideation and improve perceptions of family relationships, and to establish if knowledge of problem-solving skills acts as a mediator between family functioning and suicidal ideation. Archival data of 285 adolescents who participated in up to 10 sessions dedicated to teaching the process of solving problems were analyzed. There was an unusually high attrition rate (64%), and so in some analyses, only data from 85 adolescents was reported. One empirically-validated questionnaire and three additional questionnaires were utilized to assess suicidal ideation, perception of family functioning, risky behaviors, and knowledge of steps in problem-solving. Knowledge of the problem solving process was shown to significantly improve over the course of the group. Although there were not significant improvements in suicidal ideation or family functioning, the change in scores was in the predicted direction. The results also found significant correlations between family functioning and problem solving and family functioning and suicidal ideation; however, no significant relationship was found between problem solving and suicidal ideation. Additionally, there were many significant correlations found between the outcome measures and many of the risk factors for suicide. Lastly, a mediator effect of problem-solving on the relationship between family functioning and suicidal ideation was found at pre-test only.

In response to the increased emphasis in early intervention on assessing family functioning, there has been substantial effort over the past 15 years to develop instruments that can measure important aspects of family functioning with families of children with disabilities. While the multitude of recently developed family measures has given researchers and clinicians a variety of instruments from which to choose, research on the quality of the data derived from these instruments has lagged behind. Considering the importance of family functioning in current early intervention programs and the potential impact on the type of intervention delivered, further investigation of the psychometric properties of widely used measures of family functioning seems essential. The specific purpose of this research was to conduct a full psychometric assessment of five of the most widely used measures of family functioning for families with children with disabilities. The conclusions that can be drawn from this research are as follows: Each of these measures was strengthened by new scoring strategies, showed high reliability, demonstrated strong construct and current validity, and, individually, did not relate strongly to child development. However, when taken as a whole, these measures were very useful for family assessment in early intervention research and early intervention service provision.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between family functioning, health-related quality of life, and metabolic control in order to identify areas for intervention that can improve medical and psychosocial outcomes for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Children (N = 45) ages 8-17, both male and female, with type 1 diabetes, along with one caregiver (parent or legal guardian) (N = 45) were asked to complete the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) generic and diabetes-specific form to assess health-related quality of life along with the Diabetes Family Behavior Checklist and the Family Relationship Index of the Family Environment Scale to assess family functioning. Recent Hemoglobin A1c (A1c) was obtained from the physician at their visit or by parent report to assess metabolic control. Results indicated a significant relationship with poorer metabolic control relating to poorer physical health-related quality of life, as reported by children. All reports indicated a significant correlation between metabolic control and both general and diabetes specific health-related quality of life. There was a significant relationship with mother’s educational level on the outcome variables; educational level was therefore used as a control variable in all regression analyses. Child-reported general family functioning accounted for a significant amount of variance in child reported general health-related quality of life. Parent score on the non-supportive scale for diabetes specific family functioning accounted for a significant amount of variance in parent reported general health-related quality of life and diabetes specific health-related quality of life for their child. Results demonstrated the importance of obtaining both child and parent perspectives on issues regarding general family functioning and health-related quality of life and diabetes specific family functioning and health-related quality of life. In addition, they illustrated the importance of assessing health-related quality of life for children with diabetes as opposed to merely looking at the physical effects.

The goals of this study were to evaluate the relationships among family functioning, psychological adjustment, and health-related quality of life in children with asthma and children with diabetes. A secondary goal of this study was to examine the relations between illness severity, psychological adjustment, and health-related quality of life in the children with asthma. Participants included 41 children with asthma and 109 children with diabetes, and one primary caregiver of each child. Questionnaires were given to children to assess their levels of anxiety, depression, and health-related quality of life. Questionnaires pertaining to parenting stress, family functioning, and psychological adjustment also were completed by the participating primary caregiver. Results suggested these two groups of children do not differ in their psychological adjustment, family functioning, or health-related quality of life. Normal levels of anxiety and depression were reported, which both supports and contradicts current research in this area. Additionally, parenting stress mediated the relationship between family cohesion and parent-reported depression in children with diabetes; however, this result was not obtained in the children with asthma. In children with diabetes, significant relationships were found between self-reported anxiety and parenting stress and between parent-reported anxiety and health-related quality of life. Additionally, parent-reported depression was significantly related to parenting stress, health-related quality of life, and family cohesion. Self-reported depression was significantly predicted by health-related quality of life. In children with asthma, health-related quality of life significantly predicted self-reported anxiety and parenting stress was significantly related to parentreported depression. Illness severity did not predict psychological adjustment or healthrelated quality of life in children with asthma.

Evidence from the pediatric traumatic brain injury and pediatric brain tumor populations suggests that positive family functioning serves as a protective factor for neurocognitive outcomes of children who survive these conditions. However, no research has been found that examines whether positive family functioning similarly moderates the effects of CNS-directed chemotherapy on the neurocognitive functioning of survivors of pediatric ALL. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of family functioning upon neurocognitive outcome among survivors of pediatric ALL treated with chemotherapy. Based upon a multidimensional model of attention and Anderson’s model of executive function (EF), four subcomponents of attention (selective, divided, sustained, and shifting) and four subcomponents of EF (working memory, planning, inhibition, and processing speed) will be examined. Sequential, or hierarchical, multiple regression analyses will be conducted to examine the relationship between family functioning and neurocognitive functioning among survivors of pediatric ALL as well as a comparison group of healthy children. Data for the ALL group and the comparison group will be examined using separate analyses, with demographic and treatment-related variables entered first, followed by a family functioning variable. For the ALL group, family functioning is expected to explain a significant amount of variance in neurocognitive outcome, even after controlling for demographic and treatment-related variables. It is expected that this relationship will not be found for the comparison group. If so, this would have important implications for the survivors and their families. For example, survivors from families with lower levels of functioning could be identified early through screening measures and their families could receive targeted interventions aimed at improving family functioning and thus survivor outcomes. / text

Magister Artium (Child and Family Studies) - MA(CFS) / Substance use amongst youth in Grabouw has been recognised as a concern by the community. Essentially parenting styles and family functioning are important contributors to adolescents‘ engagement in substance use. Adolescence is a sensitive time for youths as they are faced with many developmental changes; consequently it is vital for positive parenting styles and healthy family functioning to be present to ensure healthy development. However, previous research shows that families of substance users do not function in a healthy manner and tend to have negative parenting styles. The aim of this study is to compare family functioning and parenting styles within the families of substance users and non-users in Grabouw. The study used a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional, correlational comparative design. The sample consisted of 300 adolescents between the ages of 15-17 years in schools in Grabouw. The participants completed the McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD) and the Parenting Styles Dimension Questionnaire (PSDQ). Descriptive statistics and the Pearson correlation were used to analyse the data. A t-test was used to determine the differences between groups. The findings of the study show that there is no difference in family functioning between the user and non-user groups. Notably, findings reveal that authoritative and permissive parenting styles are the prevalent parenting styles in both user and non-user groups. Furthermore the results indicate that the authoritarian parenting style was higher in the substance using group. The findings also show that there is no correlation between family functioning and the authoritative parenting style.

Magister Artium (Social Work) - MA(SW) / Adolescence has been regarded as a particularly important stage for the continued development of young adults as they start to make their own life’s decisions and engage in a variety of activities that will influence the rest of their lives. One of the important goals of adolescence is the development of decision-making skills as independence increases, requiring more independent decisions. When an adolescent makes decisions, it is important that s/he has the skills to make confident ones. Various studies identify factors that could affect adolescent decision-making, such as the family environment and family-member relationships, but information pertaining to this subject is still relatively limited. This study examines the role of family functioning in the decision-making styles of adolescents. The theoretical framework used for this study is based on the Family Systems Theory, of which the McMaster Model of Family Functioning (MMFF) is a component. The MMFF is one variation that underlies the family system model, be it nuclear or extended families discussed within chapter 2. A quantitative methodological approach was employed in this study with a cross-sectional correlational research design. The sample consisted of 457 Grade 9 learners from schools in the Overberg area. The data was collected using a self-reported questionnaire that included the Demographic Information, the Family Assessment Device and the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire, as part of the quantitative methodology. The data was then analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences V22 (SPSS). The results were provided using descriptive and inferential statistics. Participation in this study was voluntary after being well informed, while confidentiality and anonymity was maintained throughout the study. The main results for family functioning indicated the assumption that the participants might have ineffective functioning on all the family functioning variables. The main results for decision-making styles showed an assumption that the vigilant decision-making style was the highest and the Buck-passing decision-making style, the lowest.

The aim of this research was to establish what black adults' perceptions are of factors that contribute to healthy family functioning. Qualitative research was conducted. Random sampling was used to obtain eighteen black participants between the ages of 20 and 50. These participants responded in writing to the following open ended question: "What factors do you think contribute to healthy family functioning?" Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with the eight participants who presented with the richest data. Analysis of the data yielded 10 prevalent themes and eleven other themes. The 10 prevalent themes were: respect, love, communication, family time/spending time together, trust, understanding, discipline, availability for each other, boundaries and religion. The other eleven themes were: personal space, responsibility, hierarchy, family rules, conflict handling, morality, roles, maturity, intelligence, culture and forgiveness. The above mentioned 21 themes were grouped in seven broad categories, namely communication, conflict handling, affectionate involvement, family rules, boundaries, religion and other dimensions. All these themes were compared to existing research results. It appeared that themes of this study correspond with many dimensions of family functioning as indicated by family therapy models and existing research. Participants also indicated new dimensions not mentioned by the existing literature. Recommendations were made concerning future research. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.