The Impact of Family Life Events and Changes on the Health of a Chronically III Child

Abstract

This investigation examined the relationship between a pile-up of family life events (family stress) and changes in the health status of a child member with cystic fibrosis. The data collected from 100 parents and from clinic records of their children's height, weight, and pulmonary functioning revealed that a decline in pulmonary functioning was associated with a pile-up of family life changes, especially in the areas of (a) family development and relationships, (b) family management and decisions, and (c) family finances. These findings are discussed in terms of the Double ABCX family stress framework. This investigation involved an integration of individual psychological stress research and family stress theory by advancing the Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes (FILE) as a tool to systematically assess cumulative family life changes.

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