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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1998

Family dynamics of families with cancer in Finland.

The purpose of this study was to describe family dynamics of families with cancer on the basis of Barnhill's framework for healthy family systems. The sample consisted of families in which one member had cancer. Both the patients (n = 96) and their relatives (n = 96) participated in the study (n = 192). The data for the study were collected using the Family Dynamics Questionnaire and the Family Dynamics Measure. The results indicated that the cancer of a single family member did not impair family functioning, but that family dynamics were considered quite good. There were no statistically significant differences between cancer patients and relatives on any of the family dynamics dimensions. However, an examination of sociodemographic characteristics did reveal some differences. Older relatives reported more enmeshment and rigidity than did younger relatives, whereas the latter reported more role conflict than older relatives. Older patients reported more rigidity than younger patients. Relatives who were men reported more enmeshment than women, whereas women reported more role conflict. Relatives of two-member families reported more rigidity than relatives with a larger family. Patients who reported a serious illness in the family described more mutuality, better flexibility, and clearer communication than patients who did not report such an illness. Also, relatives who mentioned a serious illness reported more mutuality and flexibility.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1997

Family dynamics of families with mental health problems in Finland.

This study forms part of the International Family Dynamics Project. Its purpose was describe the family functioning of families with mental health problems on the basis of Barnhill's framework for healthy family systems. The sample consisted of 160 families in which one family member had mental health problems. Both the patients and their relatives took part. The data were collected by questionnaires, i.e. The Family Dynamics Measure and The Family Dynamics Questionnaire. According to the results, mental health patients described family functioning as fairly poor, while relatives described it as fairly good. However, patients' and relatives' perceptions of family functioning did not differ significantly. There were some statistically significant differences between patients' and relatives' perceptions of different family dynamics dimensions. Relatives reported more mutuality (P = 0.006) and clearer communication (P = 0.009) than patients. Older mental health patients reported more isolation than patients under 30. Relatives who mentioned some serious illness in the family reported more role conflict than those who didn't. No differences were found by gender, family structure or education. The results indicated that the mental health problems of a single family member did not impair family dynamics. The study showed that the resources and functioning of families are fairly good in spite of the illness in the family.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Group process in teaching family dynamics to family practice residents.

Behavioral science training in family practice at Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma, Washington, has used small group seminars to teach family dynamics on an experiential level. The group process is similar enough to dynamics within families to facilitate understanding by introspection. Small groups are an efficient method for teaching, and allow experiential learning to occur spontaneously as well as on a planned basis.

Family↗
PubMed1998

Family dynamics in families with very low birth weight and full-term infants: a pilot study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to determine differences in family health across six dimensions of functioning between families with a very low birth weight infant (VLBW) and families with a full-term infant. An epidemiologic model and Barnhill's (1979) system theory of healthy family dynamics provided the organizing framework for the study. Sixteen families with a VLBW infant and 25 families with a full-term infant were assessed for differences in family health across Barnhill's six dimensions. Independent t-tests showed no significant differences on the five dimensions of infant behavioral style. While a 2 x 3 MANOVA showed no significant differences on any of the measures by family, the Turkey HSD post hoc tests for main effect found significant differences related to the mothers' position within the family, Specifically, the position the mother maintains in the family significantly contributes to certain dimensions of family health.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Relationships between demographic variables and family dynamics of childbearing families.

In this study relationships between demographic variables and family dynamics of childbearing families in Finland were studied. The sample was 160 urban families expecting their first or second child in the third trimester of pregnancy. One-hundred and eighteen families participated in the study. The Family Dynamics Questionnaire (FDQ) and the Family Dynamics Measure (FDM) were used in this study. Most expectant parents reported their family was well-functioning. Mothers of higher socioeconomic status found more flexibility in their families than mothers of lower socioeconomic status. Fathers in families expecting their first baby reported more mutuality, role reciprocity and more stability than second-time fathers. The findings contribute cues for public health nurses and midwives regarding parity, socioeconomic status and family dynamics to provide more specific family guidance during the transition to parenthood. Realistic information on the changes in family dynamics after childbirth should be given to pregnant parents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Relationships between infant temperament, demographic variables, and family dynamics of childrearing families.

Relationships between infant temperament, demographic variables, and family dynamics of child-rearing families were investigated in this study. The revised Infant Temperament Questionnaire (RITQ), the Family Dynamics Questionnaire (FDQ) and the Family Dynamics Measure (FDM) were sent to 118 families who had participated in the first stage of the study as child-bearing families. About 8 months after childbirth 96 mothers and 95 fathers completed the questionnaires. The characteristics of infant temperament and demographic variables related to the variance of dimensions of family dynamics. Characteristics of the temperamentally easy baby related to more positive family dynamics perceived by child-rearing parents. Fathers rearing their first child reported that their families functioned better than fathers with their second infant. In child health clinics families rearing their second child should also be supported, especially families with arrhythmic and negative mood infants.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Family dynamics and family psychotherapy of psychosomatic.

Family therapy of psychosomatic disorders is oftern difficult and comparable to the therapy of psychotic patients. Nonetheless, the results published today by authors such as Minuchin and Selvini and our own experiences are promising indeed. We have found that what seemed to be a deep-rooted psychic structure changed rapidly and enduringly if the relationship field changed. Amelioration of symptoms is in many cases easily attained if they are understood in their function within a relational system. Also, we regard the system or family approach as a chance for medical practice. The general practioner who usually deals with family systems has, in our view, an ideal position to bring about change if he uses his authority and trust properly. He has to obtain a positive, not pathology-oriented view and should use family and social resources in spite of engaging in an often fruitless and endless contact with the designated patient, which only serves to maintain and even to increase the homeostatic lock of the family system.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The family dynamics of childbearing and childrearing families in Finland.

Within the context of an international comparative family dynamics project, this study had two chief goals: to describe the family dynamics of childbearing and childrearing families in Finland, and to study changes in family dynamics after childbirth. The sample consisted of families expecting (n = 118) and rearing (n = 94) their first or second child in Finland. Two instruments were used in data collection, i.e. the Family Dynamics Questionnaire and the Family Dynamics Measure; both these tools have been developed in the USA. According to the results, childbearing and childrearing families were thought to function quite well. Pregnant mothers described their family dynamics in more positive terms than fathers, reporting greater flexibility and clearer communication. Similarly, mothers reported more individuation and mutuality than their partners. First-time expectant families reported more mutuality than families expecting their second child. Childrearing mothers reported more individuation, but also more role conflict than did fathers. Communication in families rearing their first child was clearer than in families rearing their second child. The birth of a child affected family dynamics by bringing about various changes such as role conflict, isolation and distorted communication.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2001

Family dynamics of child-bearing families in Athens, Greece: a pilot study.

The purpose of this pilot study was to describe family dynamics in Greek families during the third trimester of a low-risk pregnancy with a first or second child. The description is based on Barnhill's framework for healthy family systems. The sample consisted of families expecting their first or second child. Both mothers (n = 160) and fathers (n = 47) participated in the study. The Family Dynamics Measure and a sociodemographic questionnaire were used in data collection. Data on 160 mothers and 47 couples were analyzed. Fathers perceived their families as having greater stability and role reciprocity than mothers. Fathers also reported clearer communication than mothers. There were no statistically significant relationships among family dynamics dimensions, maternal age and parity. Delayed first-time expectant mothers reported greater flexibility than normative first-time expectant mothers. The results provide some useful clues for prenatal care and also for further family dynamics research in Greece.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Family dynamics and infant temperament in Danish families.

Transition to parenthood involves the fine balance of family dynamics which both affect, and are affected by, the infant's temperament. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in family dynamics over the transition to parenthood and the relationship of family dynamics to infant temperament. A sample of 99 families in Odense, Denmark, completed the Family Dynamics Measure in the third trimester of pregnancy and again when the infant was 8-9 months old. At this second time, the mothers also completed the Revised Infant Temperament Questionnaire. Overall we found small changes, although always in a negative direction, in family dynamics over this transition. The largest change was an increase in perceived role conflict reported by both mothers and fathers. Mothers reported more role conflict than fathers. Positive family dynamics were related to infant rhythmicity.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Relationships between family dynamics of Finnish child-rearing families, factors causing strain and received support.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between family dynamics, the factors causing strain on child-rearing parents and the support available to families from public health nurses. Family dynamics was defined as the family's unique way of functioning and was conceptualized by means of six different dimensions. Questionnaires were sent to 118 families, and of these 85 mothers and 79 fathers participated in the study. According to the findings the majority of parents involved in bringing up children aged 3-4 years assessed their families to be well-functioning. There was a correlation between a low level of factors causing strain on the family and a positive evaluation of family dynamics based on the various dimensions. According to the mothers the support, i.e. emotional, appraisal and instrumental support, received from public health nurses, along with a small number of strain-causing factors on the partner relationship, correlated well with their positive assessments of the mutuality and flexibility of their families.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Mutuality as the central dimension of family dynamics].

Mutuality is the central dimension of family dynamics. This study of family dynamics in Finland forms part of an international comparative family dynamics project. The aim of the study was to describe the family dynamics of childbearing and childrearing families using the six dimensions of Barnhill's model of Healthy Family Systems. In addition to this changes in family dynamics after the childbirth were studied. In this article results of the dimension of mutuality are reported. The sample consisted of families expecting (n = 118) and rearing (n = 94) their first or second child in Finland. The data were collected by questionnaires, using the Family Dynamics Questionnaire and Family Dynamics Measure of 62 Likert-type items developed in U.S. (Lasky et al 1985). In generally childbearing and childrearing families were healthy and well-functioning. However, unmarried couples, fathers and families expecting and rearing their second child seemed to be vulnerable and therefore they need more support in adapting to the normal stages of development.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[International research in family dynamics].

The purpose of this study is to describe the family dynamics of families expecting their first or second child. The aim is to describe how mothers and fathers differ in their views on family dynamics and what differences there are between families expecting their first or second child. The study forms part of an international comparison study which is currently under way in the United States, Estonia and in the Nordic Countries. In the theoretical part of the study family dynamics is examined using the framework developed by Barnhill (1979). The study was carried out in the Turku and Rauma regions where a total of 136 families were involved. The families were clients of maternity clinics and were expecting their first or second child. Family dynamics was studied during the third trimester of pregnancy. A family dynamics questionnaire and measure developed by the Family Research Group in the United States were used in the study. Both instruments were based on Barnhill's (1979) conceptual framework of the functioning of healthy families. As statistical methods frequencies, correlations and the T-test were used. Both mothers and fathers reported moderate individuation and flexibility, clear communication, mutuality and role reciprocity. Mothers reported more role conflict than fathers who reported more isolation, rigidity and distorted communication than mothers. There were no significant differences between families expecting their first or second child in terms of individuation, flexibility, stability and communication. After childbirth the latter reported more isolation and role conflict.

Child Rearing↗
PubMed1990

Family dynamics during pregnancy.

Pregnancy as a transition in family life is perceived as a crisis by many families. Sociodemographic characteristics of families during pregnancy can serve as important sources of information to nurses in drawing out family strengths and providing assistance during this crisis. Family dynamics were measured in 160 women in the third trimester of pregnancy. Half were in their first pregnancy and half were in their second pregnancy. The research question addressed the relationship between family dynamics and several sociodemographic characteristics. Statistically significant relationships were found between the sociodemographic variables of marital and social status, and several dimensions of family dynamics. Families in which couples were married and who enjoyed a higher social status had more positive family dynamics in the dimensions of individuation, stability, flexibility, mutuality and communication. Race, maternal age and parity were not related to level of family dynamics. Strengths in families who have more positive dynamics may be explained by availability of resources, their expertise in using the system, societal approval of marriage and internal family support from the husband. It is essential for nursing care to include systematic family assessment, socialization in effectively using the health care system and individualized family guidance.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

[Family dynamics around the adolescent].

Family dynamics around the adolescent Adolescence modifies the family dynamics around the adolescent because adolescence comprises an unavoidable process of psychological separation between the subject and the parents of his childhood. On the adolescent side, the relations with his parents show a newer claim of recognition. On the parents' side, the mourning deals with several topics. The outcome of the crisis depends on the inner family control of anxiety and on the degree of differentiation of its members. Parents, grandparents and siblings have an important role to play in those transformations.

Adolescent↗