Features in families and family relationships

Standardized assessment of family features is not used routinely, although these factors may play an important role in the course of children's psychological disorders. The present study investigated the association among relationships within the families of 115 healthy children (M=8.2 yr., SD=...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Psychological reports 2002-06, Vol.90 (3 Pt 2), p.1105-1108
Main Authors: Niederhofer, H, Staffen, W, Mair, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Child
Family - psychology
Family Relations
Female
Humans
Male
Surveys and Questionnaires
Citations: Items that this one cites
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Summary:Standardized assessment of family features is not used routinely, although these factors may play an important role in the course of children's psychological disorders. The present study investigated the association among relationships within the families of 115 healthy children (M=8.2 yr., SD=2.13; 70 boys, 45 girls). 115 mothers and fathers were asked to complete a standardized questionnaire assessing the family features (Familienklima-Testsystem by Schneewind, et al.) and another asking for their estimation of emotional relationships of the members of the family (Subjektives Familianbild-Test System by Mattejat). Analysis showed that the parents' ratings indicated significantly more empathic fathers as well as significantly more autonomous mothers in well-organized, conflict-free families. Our results indicate an association between families' organization and measured scores for fathers' empathy and mothers' autonomy. Sufficient intrafamilial communication is associated with roles of the parents within the family. Psychotherapeutic interventions might focus on the families' organization.
ISSN:0033-2941
1558-691X
DOI:10.1177/003329410209000309.2