Differences in evaluation of dimensions of family functioning between young blind and their peers of the typical development

Abstract

Pursuant to the systemic approach, changes occurring to every family member, therefore loss of vision as well, affect the entire family system. One of the models of family functioning EADIO (acronym for Exchange; Activity; Democrativeness; Individuation; Order) describes five dimensions of family functioning: Exchange; Activity; Democrativeness; Individuation and Order. Families with a visually impaired member are faced with additional demands and they are more exposed to stress. Data on changes in family systems of these families is deficient. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are any significant differences in evaluation of dimensions of family functioning between the experimental group (young blind) and control group (young people without impairment). Both groups consisted of 32 respondents. A Questionnaire for conditions and relations in the family, EADIO, was applied for data collection, and the canonical discriminant analysis for processing thus enabling the insight into structure of the differences between the two groups. Canonical discriminant function significantly differentiate the two groups with respect to the evaluation of family functioning dimensions (rcc=0.424, df=5, p=0.37). There is a higher degree of order and activity and slightly more democrativeness, also significantly less emotional exchange and a bit less individuation as well within the families of the experimental group. Future research, as well as practical programs designed for these families, should focus particular attention to the intra-family exchange which is according to the author of EADIO model the most important indicator of the healthy family functioning.

Prema sistemskom pristupu, promene koje se dešavaju svakom članu porodice, dakle i gubitak vida, utiču na ceo porodični sistem. Jedan od modela porodičnog funkcionisanja - RADIR opisuje porodicu u petodimenzionalnom prostoru: Razmena; Aktivnost; Demokratičnost; Individuacija; Red. Porodice sa članom oštećenog vida suočavaju se sa dodatnim zahtevima i u njima ima više stresa. Podaci o promenama u porodičnom sistemu tih porodica su oskudni. Cilj istraživanja bio je da utvrdi da li između eksperimentalne grupe (mladi slepi) i kontrolne grupe (mladi bez oštećenja) postoje značajne razlike u proceni dimenzija funkcionisanja njihovih porodica. U obe grupe ispitano je po 32 ispitanika. Za prikupljanje podataka primenjen je Upitnik stanja i odnosa u porodici RADIR, a za obradu kanonička diskriminaciona analiza koja omogućava sticanje uvida u strukturu razlika dveju grupa. Kanonička diskriminaciona funkcija značajno razlikuje dve grupe u pogledu procene dimenzija funkcionisanja porodice (rcc=0.424; df=5, p=0.37). U porodicama eksperimentalne grupe ima znatno više reda i aktivnosti i nešto više demokratičnosti, a znatno manje emocionalne razmene i nešto manje individuacije. Buduća istraživanja, kao i praktični programi namenjeni ovim porodicama, treba da poklone naročitu pažnju unutarporodičnoj razmeni koja je prema autoru modela RADIR najvažniji indikator zdravog porodičnog funkcionisanja.