Citation

Teichman Y, Ziv R. Anxiety Stress Coping 1994; 7(4): 291-303.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/10615809408249353

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This study examined the ways in which perceived cohesion and adaptability (change patterns) in three subsystems of extended family were related to 4?5 year old childrens' level of trait anxiety. Maternal and paternal grandparents, and their adult children (parents), described functioning in their current families by completing the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales (FACES III), (Olson, Portner&Lavee 1985). Based upon Olson, Ruseel, and Sprenkle (1983) and Olson et al.'s (1985) assumption regarding a curvilinear relationship between cohesion, adaptability, and adjustment, it was hypothesized that children's trait anxiety would be related to parents' and grandparents' perceptions of family in a curvilinear pattern: Highest trait anxiety will be reported by children who are exposed to extreme levels (high or low) of either cohesion or adaptability in the significant subsystems of their family. Additionally, we have examined Kohlmann, Schumacher, and Streit's (1988) hypothesis regarding a ?buffering effect? of support in inconsistent family systems. One-way ANOVAs and planned contrasts tests did not support the curvilinear hypothesis. However, stepwise regression analysis revealed unique relationships between parents' and maternal grandparents' perceptions of the cohesion level in their families and children's trait anxiety. Paternal grandparents did not have any effect in this respect. The ?buffering effect? hypothesis was supported only with regard to maternal grandparents.