Moderating effects of family functioning on the social adjustment of children with liver disease.
In this study, we examined the moderating effects of family functioning on parent- and child-reported indices of social functioning in 30 children with liver disease. Consistent with previous research, children with liver disease exhibited significantly lower levels of social functioning compared to normative data. Hierarchical multiple-regression analyses were conducted to examine the relative influence of cognitive functioning, disease severity, and family functioning (i.e., family cohesion and adaptability, parenting stress, and parenting esteem) on children's social functioning. Family functioning accounted for an additional 23% of the variance in parent-reported social functioning and only 4% of the variance in child-reported social competence after controlling for cognitive functioning and disease severity. These preliminary results underscore the importance of considering family factors in designing interventions to enhance the social functioning of children with liver disease.
Hoffmann
R G
RG
Center for Pediatric Psychology Research, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610, USA.
Rodrigue
J R
JR
Andres
J M
JM
Novak
D A
DA
D002648:Child; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012917:Social Adjustment; D013315:Stress, Psychological