Survey Research With Families in the Context of Pediatric Chronic Health Conditions: Key Considerations and Future Directions

Abstract

Self-report family functioning measures play a critical role in advancing our understanding of how families are impacted by, and adapt to, the demands of childhood health conditions. In this article, we present key considerations when conceptualizing, assessing, and analyzing dynamic family processes in research; discuss related implications for selecting instruments; and provide an update on the evidence base of self-report family functioning measures. Researchers need to consider theory, definitions of the family, informants, instruments, and procedural and data analytic issues when designing family research. Examples of questionnaires assessing general family functioning, dyadic relationships, and family functioning within the context of pediatric health conditions are provided. Additional evidence of validity, reliability, clinical utility, and cultural sensitivity of these measures is needed within pediatric chronic illness populations. Future research should include multiple family members and utilize varied assessment methods to obtain a comprehensive understanding of family functioning in the context of pediatric health conditions.