Abstract
This study aims to analyze the family functioning of people with physical disabilities. For that, a quantitative cross-sectional research was conducted with 144 people with acquired physical disability, of both genders, aged between 14 and 93 years. Data was collected using the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale IV (FACES IV); the family adaptability, partnership, growth, affection, and resolve (APGAR); and a sociodemographic questionnaire, and analyzed with the SPSS Statistical Program. According to the patterns of family interaction proposed by Olson and Gorall (2006), despite the good family functioning found in our study, participants showed uncertainty in classifying their family functioning as balanced or unbalanced. However, they presented high indices of satisfaction and communication in the FACES IV and high scores regarding response capacity and the APGAR family variables. These results indicate that individuals are satisfied with the amount of time shared with their families in regard to exchanges and mutual strengthening. Conversely, the indecision levels related to family functioning resulted in disorderly and loose cohesion and flexibility rates. APGAR results differed according to gender, with females showing high family dysfunction and males showing good family functioning. This study is expected to advance knowledge in the field, possibly stimulating reflections for the promotion of actions and interventions aimed at this context as a whole, especially regarding policies for social inclusion and health promotion.
Keywords:
Family relations; Physically disability; Health promotion