Analysis of Family Function and Mental Health State for Low-income Middle-aged Women / 재활간호학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the types of family function and mental health in low-income middle aged women using the circumplex model. METHOD: A descriptive research design was used. A sample of 116 low income middle aged women participated in the study. The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale III was used to measure the types of family function. Mental health was measured by the SCL. RESULTS: The types of family function identified were balance family (59.4%), extreme family (25.9%), and mid-range family (14.7%). Significant differences were found in mental health by the family cohesion (F=3.44, p=.019) and family adaptability (F=3.31, p=.023). The mental health status of extreme family was better than mid-range family and balanced family, but such result was not statistically significant (F=0.25, p=.783). CONCLUSION: The Circumplex model's main hypothesis was not empirically supported that extreme family has more problematic than mid-range family and balance family. These findings emphasize the need for the development of a family system model for Korean family.