Family and Community Health
Volume 41, Issue 1, 2018, Pages 2-9

Demographic Predictors of Family Functioning and Its Change over the First 5 Years Postpartum: Findings from the Healthy Beginnings Trial (Article)

Vivekanandarajah S. , Wen L.M.* , Baur L.
  • a Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
  • b Health Promotion Service, Sydney Local Health District, Level 9, King George V Bldg, Missenden Rd, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia, School of Public Health, Australia, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
  • c Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia, School of Public Health, Australia, Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, Health Promotion Unit, Sydney Local Health District, Australia, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia

Abstract

There are very few longitudinal studies examining family functioning in early childhood. This was a prospective cohort study to identify maternal sociodemographic factors associated with family functioning over the first 5 years postpartum, using data from the Healthy Beginnings Trial. Family functioning was measured using the General Functioning Subscale of the McMaster Family Assessment Device. A total of 667 first-time mothers participated, of which 369 remained at 5 years. Family functioning did not change significantly over the 5 years. Mothers being Australian born, being employed, and having a partner were predictors for healthy family functioning. Targeting support for immigrants, low-income and single-mother families may therefore improve family functioning. © Copyright 2018 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

longitudinal Family functioning Early childhood Mothers

Index Keywords

prospective study immigrant family functioning longitudinal study lowest income group demography Prospective Studies human Longitudinal Studies time factor Time Factors family size Family Characteristics childhood Young Adult Humans Adolescent female risk factor Risk Factors Mothers mother adult family assessment Postpartum Period puerperium
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85037725885&doi=10.1097%2fFCH.0000000000000175&partnerID=40&md5=b888fac7fef635c1c431177fe0f1ab34
DOI: 10.1097/FCH.0000000000000175
ISSN: 01606379
Original Language: English