Browsing by Subject "Family functioning"
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Item Differentiation and healthy family functioning(2012-08) Kim, Hyejin; Prouty, Anne M.; Smith, Douglas B.; Ko, Mei-Ju; Wetchler, Joseph L.Inconsistent results have been found in prior research on differentiation of self in Bowen Family Systems Theory and its application to individuals, couples, and families of different cultural backgrounds. In this regard, the present study examined the impact of differentiation of self on healthy family functioning with 183 participants including Koreans in South Korea, South Koreans in the United States, and White American in the United States. Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis identified good construct validity of a measurement (DSI-R) used for the three groups of this study. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) found significant differences among the three groups with regard to the level of differentiation. Results of a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) showed significant effects of differentiation levels on family functioning, family satisfaction, and family communication. This study also examined the relationships between differentiation and family functioning within a collectivistic Korean culture. Koreans residing in South Korea (n=235) participated in this study, and ranged in age from 20 to 70 years. Confirmatory Factor Analysis showed that the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised had adequate construct validity for use with South Koreans. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that older South Koreans had higher differentiation levels than younger South Koreans. Regression results showed that balanced and healthy family functioning was significantly related to greater family satisfaction and more positive family communication. Results of a multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) revealed there were significant differences between the high differentiation group and the low differentiation group across family functioning, family satisfaction, and family communication. The author discusses implications for clinical practice, interventions, and future research.Item Family functioning and conduct problems in maltreated adolescents: a gendered analysis(2016-08) Groomes, Amber Nicole; Carlson, Cindy I., 1949-; Keith, Timothy Z; Sander, Janay B; Neff, Kristin DAlthough the relationship between childhood maltreatment and adolescent conduct problems is well established, the mechanisms by which maltreatment results in conduct problems are not well understood. Further research is needed to understand the complex development of delinquent and disruptive behavior in maltreated youth, specifically as it pertains to girls. Based on a review of the literature, it appears critical to understand the ways in which family functioning is impeded by abuse and neglect and how this relational trauma may predict internalizing disorders and conduct problems in adolescents. The purpose of the current study was to test a model predicting the development of conduct problems in adolescence that included maltreatment, dysfunctional family processes and internalizing symptoms as contributing variables, and to explore gender differences in the relationships among variables. A latent variable structural equation model (SEM) was developed and tested in a sample of 315 adolescents aged 13 to 18 who participated in a comprehensive psychological evaluation at a residential treatment facility. The SEM model evaluated the direct and indirect effects of child maltreatment, dysfunctional family processes, and internalizing problems on conduct problems. The model was evaluated across gender groups to measure whether dysfunctional family functioning was a stronger predictor of internalizing or conduct problems in females as compared to males. Results of the study indicated a direct effect of self-reported childhood maltreatment and dysfunctional family processes on internalizing problems but only dysfunctional family processes had a significant direct effect on conduct problems. Maltreatment had a significant indirect impact on conduct problems via dysfunctional family processes; such that maltreatment lead to greater dysfunctional family processes which in turn lead to more severe conduct problems. Analyses by gender demonstrated that the relationship between dysfunctional family processes and internalizing problems was equivalent for both males and females, and the relationship between dysfunctional family processes and conduct problems was statistically significant only for males. The results of this study support further exploration of the gender-specific mechanisms by which maltreatment leads to conduct problems. Results suggest that practitioners should focus on family functioning in the prevention and intervention of conduct problems in maltreated adolescents.Item Family functioning as a moderator of neurocognitive outcome among survivors of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia(2013-12) Norris, Thea Loraine; Stark, Kevin DouglasEvidence 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.Item Family functioning as a moderator of neurocognitive outcomes among survivors of pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia(2016-08) Norris, Thea Loraine; Stark, Kevin Douglas; Greenspahn, Emily; Keith, Timothy; Allen, Greg; Jones, Barbara; Patel, PujaChemotherapy treatment for pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) can affect neurocognitive functioning across many areas, including attention and executive functioning. Some variables that may moderate or protect against neurocognitive deficits following chemotherapy treatment have been identified, including gender, age at diagnosis, time since treatment, and socioeconomic status. Evidence from 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 was found that examines whether positive family functioning similarly moderates the effects of chemotherapy on the neurocognitive functioning of survivors of pediatric ALL. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of family functioning upon neurocognitive outcome among survivors of pediatric ALL treated with chemotherapy, specifically in the domains of attention and executive functioning. Participants were 20 children and adolescents who completed chemotherapy-only treatment for ALL and 20 healthy comparison participants, all within the ages of 8 and 15. Participants were administered measures of attention and executive functioning. In addition, one caregiver for each child completed a measure of family functioning and rating forms of their child’s attention and executive functioning. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between family functioning and neurocognitive functioning. Tests of the interaction between family functioning and group membership in accounting for variance in neurocognitive functioning indicated that family functioning did not have a differential effect on neurocognitive functioning for the survivors as compared to the healthy children. Family functioning accounted for a significant amount of variance in caregiver ratings of attention and executive functioning for all participants, even after controlling for demographic variables in the sample as a whole and demographic and treatment related variables in the clinical group. That is, caregivers who rated their family as having more difficulties with family functioning also rated their child as having more difficulties with attention and executive functioning. Additionally, survivors performed significantly worse than healthy controls on measures of sustained attention, working memory, and processing speed, providing additional evidence that this population is at risk for neurocognitive late effects in these areas.Item Impact of transitioning to the U.S. on Koreans' health behaviors and well-being(2013-12) Hwang, Hyenam; Harrison, Tracie C.Immigration transition may be an opportunity for physical, psychological, and social improvement, but the health of transitioning individuals may actually be at an increased risk for decline. In order to overcome negative influencing factors on the health of immigrants trying to integrate into a new society, examining the impact of transitioning immigration on the health of immigrants is important. Transition has complex and multidimensional patterns based on an individual’s social and cultural background. Korean immigrants in transitioning to the U.S. have experienced a specific and unique situation. Thus, the primary purpose of this study was to identify the impact of immigration transition, which is defined in the middle-range theory of transition, on the health-promoting behaviors and mental well-being of Korean immigrants in the U.S. A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational comparative design was used for examining a total of 192 Koreans: 105 in the U.S. and 87 in S. Korea, which were selected through matched age and gender controls with Korean immigrant participants in the U.S. The average ages were 46.8 (Median = 47, SD = 12.5) of Korean immigrants in the U.S and 46.2 (Median = 46, SD = 12.7) of 87 native S. Koreans. Korean immigrants had a low level of acculturation and limited English proficiency. The level of health-promoting behaviors of Korean immigrants was higher than that of S. Koreans, especially in subscales of health promotion, nutrition, and safety. Social resourcefulness was a key predictor of health-promoting behaviors and mental well-being among Korean immigrants. Also, self-control was a dominant mediator on the relationship between behavioral acculturation and mental well-being. Increasing acculturation and English ability for Korean immigrants, as well as increasing self-control, family functioning, and social resourcefulness were found to be important to improve integrating Korean immigrants into the U.S. These findings provide essential information that all health care professionals can use to increase their awareness of the importance of appropriately treating individuals with different cultural perspectives as well as diverse populations coming from varied countries.Item Therapeutic assessment with adolescents : examining changes in adolescents’ perception of family functioning(2013-08) Wan, Judith T.; Tharinger, Deborah J.Therapeutic Assessment (TA), a semi-structured form of collaborative assessment that combines psychological assessment with individual and family therapy techniques, has emerged as an innovative and promising short-term family systems intervention for children and their families and potentially with adolescents. The goal for the study was to explore the utility of TA with adolescents (TA-A) as an effective short-term family intervention for adolescents. The study used an interrupted time-series design to follow three adolescents as they took part in a TA-A with their families. Participants were adolescents who presented with behavioral, emotional, and/or interpersonal difficulties. They were referred by either a local community mental health clinic or practitioners in private practice who believed they and their families would benefit from a TA-A. Participants completed daily measures of family functioning before, during, and after the TA-A. Additionally, the participants completed longer standardized repeated measures of family functioning and were interviewed about their experience of TA-A throughout the different phases of the TA-A. Simulation Modeling Analysis (SMA) revealed that none of the participants reported improvements on daily measures of family functioning. However, repeated measures revealed improvements in family functioning for all participants either at the conclusion of the TA-A and/or at Follow-up. Qualitatively, all three participants provided various levels of feedback about the positive impact of TA-A on their family. Themes across the cases, as well as limitations and future direction, are discussed.Item Understanding the impact of youth participation in organized sport on family functioning(2012-05) Newhouse-Bailey, Michael Julius; Dixon, Marlene A., 1970-; Chalip, Laurence; Green, Chris; Hunt, Thomas; Carlson, CindyFamilies 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.