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. 2012 Feb;34(1):52-71.
doi: 10.1177/0193945910389623. Epub 2010 Dec 9.

Families with children who are technology dependent: normalization and family functioning

Valerie Boebel Toly  1 , Carol M Musil, John C Carl
Affiliations

Families with children who are technology dependent: normalization and family functioning

Valerie Boebel Toly et al. West J Nurs Res. 2012 Feb.

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined family functioning and normalization in 103 mothers of children ≤16 years of age dependent on medical technology (mechanical ventilation, intravenous nutrition/medication, respiratory/nutritional support) following initiation of home care. Differences in outcomes (mother's depressive symptoms, normalization, family functioning), based on the type of technology used, were also examined. Participants were interviewed face-to-face using the Demographic Characteristics Questionnaire, the Functional Status II-Revised Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, a Normalization Scale subscale, and the Feetham Family Functioning Survey. Thirty-five percent of the variance in family functioning was explained primarily by the mothers' level of depressive symptoms. Several variables were significant predictors of normalization. Analysis of variance revealed no significant difference in outcomes based on the type of technology used. Mothers of technology-dependent children are at high risk for clinical depression that may affect family functioning. This article concludes with clinical practice and policy implications.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A Conceptual Model of Family Functioning in Families with a Child who is Technology-dependent.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Study Model for Normalization and Family Functioning in Families with a Child who is Technology-dependent
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