FAMILIES OF CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES: A CAUSAL MODEL OF FAMILY ADAPTATION.
Contributors: Louisiana State University Medical Ctr. In New Orleans, S. Of Nursing.
Published: 1989
Number of pages: 126
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Sociology, Individual and Family Studies.
Description: The purpose of this study was to determine the causal relationships among variables involved in the family adaptation process of families of children with developmental disabilities (FCDD). A sample of 63 caregivers of children with cognitive and/or physical disabilities 6 years or younger completed a demographic data form and six questionnaires: Family Stressors Index, Family Hardiness Index, Family Coping-Coherence, Norbeck's Social Support Questionnaire, Coping Health Inventory for Parents, and Feetham Family Functioning Survey. The latent or unobserved variables addressed included: crisis, family demands, family typology, family coherence, family strengths, family problem-solving and coping responses, and family adaptation. These factors were represented by manifest or observed variables: severity, family stressors, family hardiness, family coherence, social support, coping, and family functioning, respectively.

Linear structural relations (LISREL) method was used to analyze the data as reflected in an empirical model of the T-Double ABCX Model's Adaptation Phase (McCubbin & McCubbin, 1987). LISREL's structural equation model determined the fit between the model and the data. LISREL's measurement model determined how well the observed variables served as single and multiple indicators for the latent variables. After several model modifications, the Revised Family Adaptation Model (FAM-R) was developed.

The testing of FAM-R revealed several significant paths (p $<$.05). These included: family typology and family appraisal; family appraisal and family problem-solving and coping responses; crisis and family strengths; family typology and family strengths; family demands and family adaptation; family typology and family adaptation; family strengths and family adaptation. Several factors, such as family typology, family demands, and family strengths had more of a direct influence on family adaptation than suggested by FAM-R. Family typology, as represented by family hardiness, showed several significant causal relationships.

These findings indicate the importance of resource mobilization within and outside of the family system of FCDD. Personal resources, such as those represented by the attributes of family hardiness, must also be recognized and strengthened.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-02, Section: B, page: 0661.

Thesis (D.N.S.)--LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CTR. IN NEW ORLEANS, S. OF NURSING, 1989.

School code: 1053.