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Family environment as perceived by children with a chronically ill parent
Insights
Families with a child diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) reported higher conflict and lower cohesion, intellectual-cultural orientation, moral-religious emphasis, and organization compared to control families.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Family Studies
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease affecting individuals of all ages.
- Family environment significantly impacts the well-being of children, especially those with chronic illnesses.
- Understanding the unique challenges faced by families coping with MS is crucial for developing targeted support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the perceived family environment of children (aged 12-18) living with a family member diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
- To compare the family dynamics of index group families with those of control families.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Family Environment Scale (FES) to assess family relationships, personal growth, and system maintenance.
- Matched 33 index children (with a non-hospitalized MS patient) with 33 control subjects based on sex, age, number of siblings, and socioeconomic status.
Main Results:
- Index group families scored higher on the conflict subscale compared to control families.
- Index group families scored lower on cohesion, intellectual-cultural orientation, moral-religious emphasis, and organization subscales than control families.
Conclusions:
- Family systems analysis provides a framework for understanding the observed differences in family environment.
- The findings highlight the potential impact of a family member's MS diagnosis on family dynamics and functioning.
Abstract:
Thirty-three index children, aged 12-18 years, with a non-hospitalized multiple sclerotic patient and 33 control subjects were administered the Family Environment Scale, a scale that measures perception of family environment on the dimensions of family relationships, personal growth, and system maintenance. Subjects in the index group were each matched with a control subject on the basis of sex, age, number of siblings in the family, and socioeconomic status. Results indicated that in comparison with control group families, index group families were higher on the conflict subscale and lower on cohesion, intellectual-cultural orientation, moral-religious emphasis, and organization subscales. These findings are explained using a family systems analysis. The potential assets of utilizing a family systems orientation to explain these findings and the heuristic values of this framework are highlighted.