Family dynamic characteristics of adolescents with emotional disorder

Objective To investigate the family dynamic characteristics of adolescents with emotional disorder. Methods 74 adolescents with emotional disorder from Child Mental Health Research Center of Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University were chosen and compared with 148 gender- and age- matched controls from schools in Nanjing.Self-rating scale of systemic family dynamics(SSFD) was used to assess the characteristics of family dynamics, and general demographic information inventory was conducted for all subjects. Results Adolescents with emotional disorder showed higher scores in family atmosphere and systemic logic than control group((30.54±8.28) vs (23.45±7.40), (17.14±4.26) vs (15.43±3.86), all P<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that high individuation (OR=0.903, 95%CI: 0.834~0.977)and high disease thinking(OR=0.853, 95%CI: 0.750~0.970)were protective factors for emotional disorder.High family atmosphere (OR=1.167, 95%CI: 1.101~1.236) was risk factor for emotional disorder. Conclusion Adolescents with emotional disorder demonstrate boring and hostile family atmosphere and " Either/or" family systemic logic on the family dynamic characteristics.Family atmosphere, disease thinking and individuation are associated with emotional disorder. Key words: Adolescents; Emotional disorder; Family dynamics; Associated factors