FASD:
Effects on Family Functioning
Wilton, G.
Raising a child with fetal alcohol syndrome: Effects on family functioning.
Dissertation Abstracts International, 63(11):4110, 2003. (169482)
This study examined families raising a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS)
in terms of family distress and parental negative emotion, and the functioning
of families raising a child with FAS or related conditions. Participants
included 105 parents, 85 mothers and 20 fathers, raising a child who was
diagnosed with any of the fetal alcohol related conditions or who was suspected
of having any of these conditions. Results from mothers indicated that there is
a difference between the diagnostic categories of FAS, fetal alcohol effects
(FAE) and possible fetal alcohol syndrome/effects (FAS/E) in measures of family
distress and parental negative emotion. Families raising a child with FAS
experienced significantly less family distress than those raising a child with
FAE or possible FAS/E. Similarly, families raising a child with either FAS or
FAE experienced significantly less parental negative emotion than families
raising a child with possible FAS/E. In addition, there was a significant
relationship between the family characteristic variable hardiness and both
dependent variables family distress and parental negative emotion. As hardiness
increased, both family distress and parental negative emotion decreased in
mothers. Finally, the variables (number of parents in the home, support level,
and family hardiness) did moderate the association between a child's diagnosis
and parental negative emotion. Findings suggest that an appropriate diagnosis
can positively affect family functioning, and that a particular family strength
(e.g., hardiness) can also influence family functioning. Interventions should
identify individuals affected by prenatal alcohol exposure and strengthen
families to minimize ineffective coping.