A partial test of the psychosomatic family model: Marital interaction patterns in asthma and nonasthma families

Author(s): Griffin, W. A., Krainz, S.

Journal/Book: J Family Psychology. 1998; 12: 750 First St NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. Amer Psychological Assoc. 220-233.

Abstract: The psychosomatic family model (PFM) implicates marital quality in childhood asthma chronicity and exacerbation. The PM posits that the child's symptomatology varies in relation to parent interaction patterns characterized by conflict avoidance and brief intradyadic engagement. This investigation of 40 families sought to determine if marital dyads show differential conditional likelihoods for these behavioral characterizations as a function of having an asthmatic or nonasthmatic child. Using observational data collected in the home, a series of legit models examined the likelihood of extended dyadic engagement, disagreement, and child solicitation. As predicted, nonasthma couples were more likely to disagree and had longer intradyadic engagements, whereas asthma family couples were more solicitous. Contrary to expectation, marital quality was not a significant predictor of child solicitation in the asthma family couples.

Note: Article Griffin WA, Arizona State Univ, Dept Family Resources & Human Dev, Marital Interact Lab, Yhe 2502, Tempe,AZ 85287 USA

Keyword(s): CHILD-BEHAVIOR PROFILE; AGED 6-11; CONFLICT; QUALITY

Zurück | Weiter