Comparison of Power Hierarchy, Cohesion and Structure in Families with and Without a Disabled Child From the Perspective of their Mothers, Bushehr 2015

Abstract

Background: Power hierarchy, cohesion and family structure are the main component of every family. Families with disabled children may be affected with this structure and function. The aim of this study was to comparison of the power hierarchy, cohesion and family structure with disabled and non-disabled children in Bushehr from the perspective of their mothers (2015). Materials & Methods: In this Cross-sectional study, 150 mothers of disabled and non-disabled children in Bushehr city were selected by census and clusters method, respectively. Family structure, cohesion and hierarchy of mothers was assessed by using the Family System Test (FAST). Data were analyzed by using SPSS software (Version 18) and statistical tests carried out such as (Independent t-test, ANOVA and chi-square test. Results: Based on this results, there was no significant difference between the families in terms of power (p=0.22) but the cohesion of families with children with physical disabilities (p=0.0001, 1/90 ± 0.54) and mentally (p=0.0001, 1.56 ± 0.73) is less than the natural family (p=0.0001, 2.26 ± 0.52), Also in terms of structure, there was no significant difference between families with healthy children and physical disability and mentally (p=0.05). Conclusion: Findings showed that the cohesion of families with disabled children are more vulnerable than healthy family. In the first step, awareness of young couples about the outcome of the birth of a disabled child is necessary and inevitable and in second step, providing training and adequate support to families with disabled child.

Keywords

• Power
• Family Relations
• Disabled Child
• Structure of Family