Short communication, Note

FAMILIES AND HEALTH INTERACTIONS

Nicolas Zdanowicz ; Université Catholique de Louvain, Clinique de Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium
Brice Lepiece ; Université Catholique de Louvain, Clinique de Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium
David Tordeurs ; Université Catholique de Louvain, Clinique de Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium
Denis Jacques ; Université Catholique de Louvain, Clinique de Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium
Pascal Janne ; Université Catholique de Louvain, Clinique de Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium
Christine Reynaert ; Université Catholique de Louvain, Clinique de Mont-Godinne, Yvoir, Belgium

Abstract

Background: In recent years, psychologists of health have attempted to understand the relations between family dynamics and
health. The aim of our study is not only to study relations inside families and couples (relations between family of origin, nuclear and
ideal family, current and ideal couple) but also outside between families and couples and different health indicator (physical and
mental health, consumption of medications, and frequency of medical consultations).
Subjects and methods: Twenty healthy subjects are included in a two years long longitudinal study. At baseline, subjects' age,
gender, family composition, net income, chronic treatments, family dynamics (FACES III), Health Locus of Control (MHLC), and
personality (NEO-FFI) are recorded.
Results: The adaptability level that we experience in our current couple appears partially to be an inherited value of the
adaptability that we had in our family of origin (r=0.694; p=0.026). Moreover, the closer we are to each other in our nuclear family,
the closer and more adaptable is our couple (r=0.893; p=0.007). Cohesion in the nuclear family is correlated with a desire for even
more cohesion in the ideal family (r=0.898; p=0.000) and in the ideal couple (r=0.732; p=0.016). The only mechanism that slows
down this aspiration for "always more" cohesion is the cohesion that the current couple is experiencing. Some of these factors seem
to affect health indicators: cohesion of the ideal family and of the family of origin as well as cohesion of the current couple have
positive effects on health indicators whereas levels of adaptability of the ideal family and the current couple have negative effects on
health indicators.
Conclusion: At T0 and T6 months, the level of physical health appears to be the more predictable variable. At time T0, a tree factors
model of linear regression including cohesion of family of origin, and of the current couple, with adaptability of the ideal family
explains 82.4% of the variance. At time T6months, nuclear family cohesion, account for 46.5% of the variance.

Keywords

family; health; Olson

Hrčak ID:

76829

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/76829

Publication date:

30.9.2011.

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