title: Assessment of the family environment in pediatric neurodisability: a state-of-the-art review.
abstract: The importance of the family environment for the development of children with neurodisabilities is undisputed. The objective of this study is to describe how family environment has been measured in research on families of children with neurodisabilities, in order to support researchers and clinicians to select appropriate methods for use. A three-step approach was used and 13 measures of family environment were identified within 77 studies. Five measures were used most commonly across a majority of studies (n=50). The measures varied considerably in terms of theoretical background, content, subscales, and populations for which they were developed and validated. These measures were used with considerable variability between studies and with a limited range of research respondents, most typically the child's mother. Challenges, opportunities, and suggestions on how to improve the application of family environment measures in research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marjolijn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ketelaar
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work and the Centre for Research on Children and Families, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Aline
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bogossian
authors.affiliation: Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saini
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Visser-Meily
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work and the Centre for Research on Children and Families, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
authors.forename: Lucyna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lach
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D010372:Pediatrics