Observed and perceived dyadic and systemic functioning in families of preadolescents with spina bifida.
OBJECTIVE
To examine dyadic and systemic family functioning across several domains (conflict, cohesion, and stress) in families of preadolescents with spina bifida in comparison to families of able-bodied preadolescents (8- and 9-year olds; n = 68 in each sample).


METHODS
Mother-, father-, and child-reported questionnaire data and observational ratings of family behavior were employed.


RESULTS
Findings revealed significant group and socioeconomic status (SES) differences, particularly for the observational family data. Compared to families of able-bodied children, families in the spina bifida sample were less cohesive and children from this sample were more passive during family interaction tasks. Additional analyses suggested that some of these significant associations between group status and family functioning were mediated by verbal IQ, indicating that a significant portion (42%-55%) of the overall group effect was due to variations in child cognitive functioning. Lower SES families demonstrated higher levels of observed mother-child conflict, less observed and perceived family cohesion, and more life events. Lower SES families from the spina bifida sample appear to be particularly at risk for lower levels of family cohesion.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings for the spina bifida sample support a resilience-disruption view (Costigan, Floyd, Harter, & McClintock, 1997) of systemic functioning in families of children with pediatric conditions.
Holmbeck
Grayson N
GN
Loyola University of Chicago, Department of Psychology, Illinois 60626, USA. gholmbe@luc.edu
Coakley
Rachael Millstein
RM
Hommeyer
Jennifer S
JS
Shapera
Wendy E
WE
Westhoven
Venette C
VC
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires