title: Comparison of family functioning in families of depressed patients and nonclinical control families in China using the Family Assessment Device and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales II.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Family functioning influences the course and long-term outcome for patients with depression. It is important to understand the family functioning of depressed patients from the viewpoint both of patients and their family members. The objective of this study was to explore the association between family functioning and depression in a sample of Chinese families, using the Family Assessment Device (FAD) and the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales II (FACES II).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted in a sample of 61 depressed patients and their family members and 61 nonclinical controls in mainland China. It compared the perception of depressed patients and their family members and evaluated agreement between family members.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicate that in mainland China, functioning among families with a depressed family member is poorer than that of control families. Depressed patients reported less satisfaction than did their family members. There were significant differences on 4 of the 7 FAD scales among depressed patients and their family members, whereas no discrepancies were found on the FACES II. For the FAD, low agreement between patients and family members was found on all scales except behavioral control. Moderate agreement appeared on all dimensions of FACES II except for ideal cohesion and dissatisfaction with cohesion for the families of depressed patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Depression is associated with impaired family functioning in families in mainland China. When applying the FAD and FACES II to samples of Chinese families, clinicians should be aware that the FAD may be more sensitive to detecting problems in some areas than the FACES II.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. E-mail: huangyi0412@126.com.
authors: Na
authors: N
authors: Du
authors: Mao-Sheng
authors: MS
authors: Ran
authors: Su-gai
authors: SG
authors: Liang
authors: Ming-jing
authors: MJ
authors: SiTu
authors: Yi
authors: Y
authors: Huang
authors: Abigail K
authors: AK
authors: Mansfield
authors: Gabor
authors: G
authors: Keitner
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology*; D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales