Family stress, family functioning and emotional/behavioural problems following child psychiatric treatment

Abstract

This study assesses family stress, family functioning and emotional/behavioural problems in a sample of 80 formerly daytreated or residentially treated boys after a mean discharge period of four years. Family stress was assessed with a Questionnaire of Life Events (QLE) and family functioning with the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES). Emotional/behavioural problems were measured with the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). The results showed that there were significant relationships between the QLE, FACES and CBCL scores. In particular, experiencing less negative life events and a more rigid type of family functioning appeared favourable with respect to several types of behavioural problems. When the interrelationships between the family factors and other factors such as age and socio-economic status were taken into account statistically, the number of negative life events appeared the most influential family factor.