Fathers With Multiple Sclerosis: Perceptions Of Family Functioning

There is ongoing, but noticeably limited, amount of research conducted regarding parents with a chronic illness (Anderson, Huth, Garcia, & Swezey, 2012). The purpose of this study was to examine the perception of family functioning of fathers diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (N=10) as assessed by the Family Assessment Measure Version III (FAM-III). The FAM-III examines subscales which include; task accomplishment, role performance, communication, affective expression, involvement, control, values and norms as viewed by the family member completing the assessment. FAM III scores were analyzed, in combination with the participant’s SES, age, time of illness onset, gender of oldest child, education, and type of MS as research variables, utilizing t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Chi square to determine influence on family functioning as determined by the FAM-III. The data being used for this study is from a larger, preexisting data set. This study examined the potential of the PPCT elements of the Bioecological Theory (Tudge, Mokrova, Hatfield, & Karnik, 2009) to explain participant’s perceptions. Results indicate that the type of MS (Relapsing Remitting and Secondary Progressive) may affect the perceptions of family functioning. Furthermore, communication also influenced the father’s perceptions of family functioning. Control was the last variable that had a significant result, indicating the control has an impact on the father’s perception of family functioning