Perception of Family Functioning Among Relatives of Women Who Survived Breast Cancer: Gender Differences

Abstract

The aim of this study was to know how female and male family members perceive their family dynamics after breast cancer. Barnhill's proposal of a healthy family functional model served as the theoretical framework for this qualitative research. The data was obtained through interviews and submitted to content analysis. The results showed that, in the adaptation process to breast cancer, both genders use clear communication in order to achieve family balance and present interactions characterized by mutual and individual feelings. The responsibility for maintaining the family is attributed to the daughters, whereas the male elements show more disorganization with regard to family functions. The bond between family members of both genders who are affected by breast cancer shows important interactions in the identity process.Descriptors: Breast Neoplasms; Family; Gender Identity; Nursing. familias. Los datos fueron recolectados por medio de entrevistas y sometidos al análisis de contenido. Los resultados mostraron que, en el proceso de adaptación al cáncer de mama, ambos géneros utilizan la comunicación clara para la búsqueda del equilibrio familiar y presentan interacciones caracterizadas por sentimientos de mutualidad e individuación. A las hijas es atribuida la responsabilidad por la manutención de la familia y los elementos del género masculino demuestran mayor desorganización en el funcionamiento familiar. El vínculo de los familiares de ambos géneros, que experimentan el cáncer de mama, presenta interacciones importantes en el proceso de identidad.Descriptores: Neoplasias de la Mama; Familia; Identidad de Género; Enfermería. IntroductionThe confirmation of a breast cancer diagnosis confronts women and their families with difficult decisions and coping experiences. This disease turns into a great challenge in a family's life, as none of its members remains untouched, sometimes causing changes in the configurations established among them, which imposes an important challenge on the family group's ability to remain relatively organized while adapting to the different needs (1) . Health professionals should be sensitized to the extent of recognizing the family as a complex phenomenon that needs support, mainly in breast cancer situations, as these demand significant changes in family dynamics.Family-centered care involves all of its members and special importance is given to the relations established among them, considered as one of the determinants of the health/disease process (2) . Clarifications on the disease and the type of treatment to be followed favor health promotion, making patients more independent to take care of themselves and perform other activities related to the environment and the family conducts and behaviors that promote family balance are commonly observed in the family unit, revealing that the family needs to pay attention in order to identify conflicting situations, which its members may expose so as to avoid the emergence of irreparable disagreements in the future (4) . A study appoints t...

Elucidating emotional closeness within the Theory of Health-Related Family Quality of Life: evidence from breast cancer survivors

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Cross-Cultural adaptation of the General Functioning Scale of the Family

“…The literature features quantitative, qualitative 2 and mixed 22 approaches to understanding the functioning of a family. The quantitative tools include the following, each one based on specific theoretical assumptions, reflecting the diversity predominant in the area: a) Family Assessment Device 7 , which describes the structure, the organization of the family unit, and the relationship patterns among family members; b) Family Environment Scale 12 , an instrument based on socio-ecological and psychological theory, and the family systems theory, which evaluates social environment characteristics of all types of families; c) Family Assessment Measure 18 , based on the systems model in the marital and family environment, assesses family cohesion and adaptability and the difference between ideal and actual family functioning; d) Family Adaptability Cohesion Evaluation Scale III 14 , which emphasizes family dynamics and the interaction between individual and family processes; e) Family Perceptions Scale 25 , which is based on knowledge of different subjectivities, creating multiple family realities.…”

Relational mechanisms and psychological outcomes in couples affected by breast cancer: a systematic narrative analysis of the literature

“…In doing so, we aim to contribute towards theorising and modelling connections between patient, partner and disease. The paper does not include literature about other kinds of family relationships such as between mother and daughter or siblings since these have different relational dynamics 31 32. We also address methodological and conceptual limitations of this body of research and propose ways in which the field of enquiry about couples can be developed in the future.…”