A new methodological approach in nursing research: An actor, partner, and interaction effect model for family outcomes

Abstract

Methodological and statistical challenges have been identified in family research when the parental dyad is under study. The purposes of this article are to review the literature on methodological and statistical procedures in research on families, and to introduce an analysis technique that is new to the nursing literature, the actor-partner interdependence model (APIM). The use and interpretation of the APIM method is illustrated through an example of families of young children with asthma. In the APIM an actor effect is the impact a person has on his or her own outcome, whereas a partner effect is the impact a member of a dyad has on his or her partner's outcome. The main findings from the data example indicate that family adaptation is influenced by the actor effect of resiliency factors (sense of coherence and family hardiness), the partner effect of caregiving demands, as well as by both the actor and partner effects of family demands. The APIM method gives new insight into how parental data can be analyzed by taking both the individual and the partner contribution into account when studying family phenomena. Knowing how outcomes may be influenced not only by individuals (via an actor effect) but also by their partners (through a partner effect) enriches our understanding of how families function.

Use of family-friendly work arrangements and work–family conflict: Crossover effects in dual-earner couples.

“…been recommended in the study of families (Rayens & Svavardottir, 2003) and small groups (Bonito, 2002) and is increasingly being used in the social sciences (Kenny et al, 2006).…”

An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model on Family Resilience and Subjective Wellbeing

“…Members within the family influence each other's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (Rayens & Svavarsdottir, 2003). Consequently, whatever that influences the individual in the family will naturally affect the other members in the system (Segrin et al, 2005).…”

“…How the family unit influences its members and vice versa therefore, hinges on the dynamic communications within members of the family unit. According to the family systems theory, members within the family influence each other's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (Rayens & Svavarsdottir, 2003). Consequently, whatever happens to one individual would inevitably influence the welfare of others within the family (Segrin et al, 2005).…”

The Impact of Relationship Quality on Health-Related Outcomes in Heart Failure Patients and Informal Family Caregivers

“…44 In APIM, 3 classes of variables are included in the model: (1) betweendyads variables, (2) within-dyads variables, and (3) mixed variables (variables that vary both between and within dyads). In general, APIM models are conducted within a multilevel or hierarchical regression model, which accounts for the intraclass correlation, or the extent to which there is variation within the dyads.…”