Funcionamiento familiar y su relación con la exposición a la violencia en adolescentes mexicanos

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation­ship between family functioning and exposure to vi­olence among Mexican adolescents. The design of this study was transversal, descriptive, and correla­tional. Participants were 133 high school students, ages 15 to 18. Two instruments were administered: La Escala de Evaluación de la Cohesión y Adapta­bilidad Familiar, in English The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale, (FACES IV-Esp) by Rivero, Martínez-Pampliega and Olson (2010), and Cuestionario de Exposición a la Violencia, in English Exposure to Violence Questionnaire, by Orue and Calvete (2010). Results showed statistically signifi­cant gender differences related to observing violence in the streets, and victimization in the school and in the street. Gender differences were also significant in family functioning variables such as: flexibility, co­hesion, satisfaction, and family communication. Re­sults from the correlational analysis suggested that the higher the flexibility, cohesion, satisfaction and family communication, the lower the violence obser­vation at school and at home, and the lower victimi­zation at home. Predictive validity was also observed for family cohesion over victimization at home. As a conclusion, it is important to strengthen family ties and to promote a positive and balanced family func­tioning, with the purpose of families being a protec­tive factor against violence exposure.ResumenLa presente investigación tuvo como objetivo estudiar la relación entre el funcionamiento familiar y la exposición a la violencia en adolescentes mexicanos. Se propuso un diseño transversal, descriptivo y correlacional. La muestra estuvo conformada por 133 estudiantes de bachillerato con edades entre los 15 a 19 años de edad. Como instrumentos se utilizaron dos cuestionarios: La Escala de Evaluación de la Cohesión y Adaptabilidad Familiar (FACES IV-Esp) de Rivero, Martínez-Pampliega y Olson (2010) y el Cuestionario de Exposición a la Violencia (CEV) de Orue y Calvete (2010). Los resultados muestran diferencias de género en cuanto a la observación de la violencia en la calle y la victimización en la escuela y en la calle. Se muestran también diferencias de género en variables del funcionamiento familiar tales como: flexibilidad, cohesión, satisfacción y comunicación familiar. Los resultados del análisis de correlación sugieren que a mayor flexibilidad, cohesión, satisfacción y comunicación familiar menor observación de violencia en la escuela y en la casa, y menor victimización en casa. Se observó también una predicción significativa de la cohesión familiar sobre la victimización en casa. Finalmente, se concluye la importancia de fortalecer los vínculos familiares y de fomentar un funcionamiento familiar positivo y balanceado. Esto con el objetivo de que la familia ejerza un efecto protector ante la exposición a la violencia. AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the relation­ship between family functioning and exposure to vi­olence among Mexican adolescents. The design of this study was transversal, descriptive, and correla­tional. Participants were 133 high school students, ages 15 to 18. Two instruments were administered: La Escala de Evaluación de la Cohesión y Adapta­bilidad Familiar, in English The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale, (FACES IV-Esp) by Rivero, Martínez-Pampliega and Olson (2010), and Cuestionario de Exposición a la Violencia, in English Exposure to Violence Questionnaire, by Orue and Calvete (2010). Results showed statistically signifi­cant gender differences related to observing violence in the streets, and victimization in the school and in the street. Gender differences were also significant in family functioning variables such as: flexibility, co­hesion, satisfaction, and family communication. Re­sults from the correlational analysis suggested that the higher the flexibility, cohesion, satisfaction and family communication, the lower the violence obser­vation at school and at home, and the lower victimi­zation at home. Predictive validity was also observed for family cohesion over victimization at home. As a conclusion, it is important to strengthen family ties and to promote a positive and balanced family func­tioning, with the purpose of families being a protec­tive factor against violence exposure.