Family dynamics and psychosocial functioning in children with SCI/D from Colombia, South America

The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, 2016 · DOI: 10.1179/2045772314Y.0000000291 · Published: January 1, 2016

Spinal Cord Injury Pediatrics Social Support

Simple Explanation

This study explored how family relationships and dynamics affect the mental and emotional well-being of children with spinal cord injuries or disorders (SCI/D) in Colombia. The research found connections between how satisfied families are, how well they communicate, and the emotional health of children with SCI/D. The findings suggest that when families are supportive and understanding, children with SCI/D tend to worry less and have better emotional and social lives.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

30 children with SCI/D and their primary caregiver

Evidence Level

Cross-sectional study

Key Findings

1
Family satisfaction, empathy, and flexibility significantly explained 27% of the variance in child worry.
2
Family satisfaction and communication explained 18% of the variance in child social anxiety.
3
Family cohesion and communication explained 23% of the variance in child emotional functioning.

Research Summary

This study examined the connections between family dynamics and the psychosocial functioning of children with SCI/D from Latin America. Findings of this study, while preliminary in nature, lend further support to the ‘disruption-resilience’ view of the impact of SCI/D on family functioning. The current study found that these sets of factors were related and suggest that research on rehabilitation interventions for children with SCI/D would benefit from a focus on improved satisfaction, communication, empathy, and flexibility in their families.

Practical Implications

Rehabilitation Services Improvement

Rehabilitation services for children with SCI/D may be improved with interventions targeting increased satisfaction, empathy, flexibility, and communication within the family.

Family-Systems Interventions

Family-systems interventions aimed at improving the various family dynamics identified in this study, as relating to child functioning, could coincide with child adjustment as well.

Familism Consideration

The findings highlight the importance of considering familism, a central value in Latin America, in the support and assistance provided to families with a member who has a health condition.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size (30 participant/caregiver dyads) limited statistical power.
2
Sampling both children with SCI and SB limits understanding of the differences between these two samples.
3
Findings are limited in their generalizability to the population from which they were extracted (low SES and living in Colombia).

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