AN EXAMINATION OF FAMILY FUNCTIONING UTILIZING THE CIRCUMPLEX MODEL IN PSYCHIATRICALLY HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN WITH DEPRESSION

The purpose of the current study was to explore the relationship betwe en childhood depression and family functioning. 11 children with depre ssion and 11 children without depression were compared via scores on t he adaptability and cohesion dimensions of the FACES-III-K. Children w ith depression reported significantly less cohesive and more disengage d (displaying emotional separateness and lack of closeness) families t han children without depression. Cohesion (the emotional bonding and i ndividual autonomy of family members), but not adaptability, appears t o be an important factor in the relationship between family functionin g and childhood depression. Clinicians are advised to use treatments d esigned to help alleviate low family cohesion for children with depres sion.