Families of Children with Cerebral Palsy: Family Functioning Domains

Abstract

The present research study was designed to investigate the family functioning of the families having children with cerebral palsy. It was hypothesized that there would be significant differences in the family functioning of families having children with cerebral palsy and families having normal children. The case-control research design was used. The sample of the study was accessed from the special needs institutions (N=50). The measure used in the current research was the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale (FACES IV) by Olson, 2011. The findings from the current research reveal that there are significant differences in some of the dimensions of the family functioning of families having children with cerebral palsy in comparison to the families having normal children. The family cohesion, flexibility, communication were found to have better accounted for family functioning. The enlightening findings from the current research carry strong implications for the researchers, psychologists, family therapists, community workers and for psychiatrists.