Perceptions of family functioning and cancer

Abstract

Family function was assessed in 102 families (342 members) of palliative care patients and grouped into classes by a computer‐based taxonomic program. Five classes were defined through the dimensions of cohesiveness, conflict and expressiveness of the Family Environment Scale (FES). One third of families we named supportive for their high cohesiveness; a further 21% resolved conflict effectively; both of these classes contained low psychological morbidity. Two classes (15%) were clearly dysfunctional: hostile families (6%) were distinguished by high conflict while sullen families (9%) displayed moderate conflict, poor cohesion and limited expressiveness. These two classes had significantly h..