THE FAMILY-SYSTEM-TEST (FAST) - A PILOT-STUDY IN FAMILIES WITH A YOUNG-ADULT MEMBER WITH CANCER

The impact of a cancer diagnosis upon a family has become a focus of c linical interest, but few scientific studies have been completed in th is area. The objectives of this pilot study were twofold: first, to te st the applicability of the Family System Test (FAST) in families (n=5 ) with a young adult member with cancer and secondly to evaluate patte rns of interactions within these families. Results show that the FAST is applicable and useful to evaluate the different perceptions of hier archy and cohesion - two essential variables - within these families. The great majority of family members represented their relationships a s balanced (i.e., cohesive and moderately hierarchical). However, cont rary to nonclinical families, fathers had a less positive view than mo thers and patients: fathers more often perceived family and parenteral relations as unbalanced, and also more often perceived a reversal of hierarchy and a cross-generational coalition within the family. Implic ations for future research and clinical care are discussed.