Access family functioning and related factors from the viewpoints of male cancer patients

Assessment of family functioning is essential prior to planning any family-based intervention for cancer patients. In an extensive literature review, any relevant studies related to the functions of Iranian families with cancer patient was not found. Therefore, the aims of present study were to investigate the function of Iranian families with a male cancer patient and its related factors from patients' perspectives.

This was a descriptive- corelational study in which 101 men with cancer admitted to Tabriz Shahid Ghazi hospital were participated by convenience sampling method. Family assessment device was used for data collection that investigates family functioning in problem solving, communication, roles, affective involvement, affective responsiveness, behavior control, and general functioning domains. Also, demographic characteristics were collected. The higher score indicates better family functioning. Data analyzed by SPSS software version13 using descriptive and inferential statistics is including independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation tests.

Male participants in this study reported inappropriate family functioning in all domains. The lower score was on communication and the higher score was on behavior control domain. There was significant statistical correlation between patients' perception of family functioning with the participants' education level and job, while, there was no significant correlation between patients' score of family functioning with age, life situation, number of children, age of senior child, marriage duration and time passed since diagnosis.

Inappropriate family functioning reported by the male cancer patients indicates importance of providing consultation services for cancer patients and their family.