This paper reports on the characteristics of two dimensions (behavior control and communication) of the McMaster Model of Family Functioning (MMFF) as assessed through the MMFF semi-structured interview in families of the normal nonclinical population of Quebec City (N= 118). Interrater reliability as well as scores distribution are reported. Particular attention is given to the absence of association found between family functioning and socioeconomic status. Exploratory data about the relationship between parental conflict and family functioning are also discussed in terms of future inquiries in child psychiatric epidemiology.
References
1.
BarnesG.G.Systems theory and family therapy. In: RutterM., ed. Child and adolescent psychiatry: modern approaches.London: Blackwell Scientific Publications,1985.
2.
FormanB.D., HaganB.J.A comparative review of total family functioning measures.Am J Psychiatry1983; 5: 25–40.
3.
NicholsM.P., ed. Family therapy: concepts and methods.New York: Gardner Press Inc,1984.
4.
BowenM.Theory in the practice of psychotherapy. In: GuerinP.J., ed. Family therapy: theory and practice.New York: Gardner Press Inc., 1976.
5.
WatzlawickP., BeavinJ.H., JacksonD.D., eds. Pragmatics of human communication: a study of interactional patterns, pathologies, and paradoxes.New York: WW Norton & Company Inc.,1967.
6.
EpsteinN.B., BishopD.S., LevinS.The McMaster model of family functioning.J Marr Fam Counseling1978; 4: 19–31.
7.
EpsteinN.B., BishopD.S., BaldwinL.M.The McMaster model of family functioning: a view of the normal family. In: WalshT., ed. Research on normal family process.New York: Guilford Press, 1982.
8.
MinuchinS. ed. Families and family therapy.Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1974.
9.
SteinhauerP.D., Santa-BarbaraJ., SkinnerH.A.The process model of family functioning.Can J Psychiatry1984; 29: 77–88.
10.
MoosR.H. ed. Family environment scale.California: Consulting Psychologists Press Inc.,1981.
11.
OlsonD.H., SprenkleD.H., RussellC.S.Circumplex model of marital and family systems: I. Cohesion and adaptability dimensions, family types and clinical application.Family Proc1979; 18: 3–28.
12.
RutterM.Psychological therapies in child psychiatry: issues and prospects.Psychol Med1982; 12: 723–740.
13.
BrownG.W., RutterM.The measurement of family activities and relationships. A methodological study.Human Relations1966; 19: 241–263.
14.
RutterM., BrownG.W.The reliability and validity of measures of family life and relationships in families containing a psychiatric patient.Soc Psychiatry1966; 1: 38–53.
15.
CromwellR.E., OlsonD.H.L., FournierG.D.Tools and techniques for diagnosis and evaluation in marital and family therapy.Fam Proc1976; 15: 1–49.
16.
SkinnerH.A.Self-report instrument for family assessment. In: JacobT., ed. Family interaction and psychopathology: theories, methods and findings.New York: Plenum, (in press).
17.
WolkindS., RutterM.Separation, loss and family relationships. In: RutterM., HersovL., eds. Child and adolescent psychiatry.Modern approaches. London: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1985a.
18.
BishopD.S., BaldwinL.M., EpsteinN.B., KeitnerG.Assessment of family functioning. In: GrangerC.V., GreshamG.E., eds. Functional assessment in rehabilitation medicine.Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins,1984.
19.
MaziadeM., CapéraàP., LaplanteB., BoudreaultM., ThiviergeJ., CôtéR., BoutinP.Value of difficult temperament among 7-year-olds in the general population for predicting psychiatric diagnosis at age 12.Am J Psychiatry1985; 142: 943–946.
20.
MaziadeM., CapéraàP., BoudreaultM., ThiviergeJ., CôtéR., BoutinP.The effect of temperament on longitudinal academic achievement in primary school.J Am Acad Child Psychiatry1986; 25: 692–696.
21.
MaziadeM., CôtéR., BoutinP., BernierH., ThiviergeJ.Temperament and intellectual development: a longitudinal study from infancy to 4 years.Am J Psychiatry1987; 144: 144–150.
22.
MaziadeM.Etudes sur le tempérament: contribution à l'étude des facteurs de risques psychosociaux de l'enfant.Neuropsychiatrie de l'enfance et de l'adolescence1986; 34: 371–382.
23.
CoxA., RutterM., YuleB., QuintonD.Bias resulting from missing information: some epidemiological findings.Br J Prev Soc Med1977; 31: 131–136.
24.
RutterM.Epidemiological/longitudinal strategies and causal research in child psychiatry.J Am Acad Child Psychiatry1981; 20: 513–544.
25.
SchubertD.S.P., PattersonM.B., MillerF.T.Informed consent as a source of bias in clinical research.Psychiatr Res1984; 12: 313–320.
26.
SpohnH.E., FitzpatricT.Informed consent and bias in samples of schizophrenic subjects at risk for drug withdrawal.J Abnorm Psychol1980; 89: 79–82.
27.
MaziadeM., CôtéR., BoudreaultM., CapéraàP., ThiviergeJ.The NYLS model of temperament: gender differences and demographic correlates in a french-speaking population.J Am Acad Child Psychiatry1984a; 23: 582–587.
28.
MaziadeM., CôtéR., BoudreaultM., ThiviergeJ., BoutinP.Family correlates of temperament continuity and change across middle childhood.Am J Orthopsychiatry1986; 56: 195–203.
29.
MaziadeM., BoudreaultM., ThiviergeJ., CapéraàP., CôtéR.Infant temperament: SES and gender differences and reliability of measurement in a large Quebec sample.Merrill-Palmer Quarterly1984b; 30: 213–216.
30.
HollingsheadA.B.Two-factor index of social position.New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press, 1957.
31.
MaziadeM., BoutinP., CôtéR., ThiviergeJ.Empirical characteristics of the NYLS temperament in middle childhood: congruities and incongruities with other studies.Child Psychiatry Hum Dev1986; 17: 38–52.
32.
QuintonD., RutterM., RowlandsO.An evaluation of an interview assessment of marriage.Psychol Med1976; 6: 577–586.
33.
MaziadeM., CôtéR., ThiviergeJ., BernierH., BoudreaultM.Effect of infant extreme temperament and other risk factors on the behavioral outcome of preschool children. Submitted for publication.
34.
ZungW.W.K.A self-rating depression scale.Arch Gen Psychiatry1965; 12: 63–70.
35.
HolmesT.H., RaheR.H.The social readjustment rating scale.J Psychosom Res1967; 11: 213–218.
36.
RutterM., QuintonD.Psychiatric disorder — ecological factors and concepts of causation. In: GurdH.M., ed. Ecological factors in human development.Holland: North Holland Publishing Co.,1977.
37.
RichmanN., StevensonJ., GrahamP.J., eds. Pre-school to school: a behavioural study.London: Academic Press, 1982.
38.
WolkindS., RutterM.Sociocultural factors. In: RutterM., HersovL., eds. Child and adolescent psychiatry: modern approaches.London: Blackwell Scientific Publications,1985b.
39.
QuintonD.Cultural and community influences. In: RutterM., ed. Scientific foundations of developmental psychiatry.London: William Heinemann Medical Books Ltd,1980.
40.
DowdneyL., MrazekD., QuintonD., RutterM.Observation of parent-child interaction with two- to three-year-olds.J Child Psychol Psychiatry1984; 25: 379–407.
