Cancer families with children: factors associated with family functioning—a comparative study in Finland

Objective : The objective is to examine the factors associated with family functioning in families with children where a parent has cancer in comparison to families without cancer. Sample and methods : Eighty‐five families including 85 cancer patients, 61 healthy spouses and 68 children between 11 and 17 years of age, and a control group of 59 families including 105 adults and 65 children were given a set of questionnaires including a background variable questionnaire, the Family Assessment Device, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Sense of Coherence (SOC). A statistical multilevel model allowing the use of data from several informants belonging to the same family was constructed for the analysis of associations between variables. Results : Maternal depression and SOC of family members were associated with family functioning; maternal depression impaired family functioning and family members' SOC improved it. No difference was found between the clinical group and the control group. Conclusion : In clinical work with cancer families with children, maternal depression and SOC should be focused on. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.