| dc.description.abstract | This
thesis
used
FIT
Science
(Fletcher
&
Stead,
2000)
as
a
framework
to
study
different
aspects
of
family
functioning.
FIT
variables
measure
the
cognitive
and
behavioural
characteristics
of
a
person
that
mediate
interpretations
of
events
and
attempts
at
coping
with
constraints.
The
research
sought
to
examine
whether
scores
on
FIT
variables
explain
differences
in
perceptions
of
family
functioning
and
outcomes
such
as
individual
stress
levels.
In
the
first
questionnaire
study,
members
of
the
general
population
(N=235)
completed
The
FIT
Profiler
(Fletcher,
1999),
which
measures
scores
on
FIT
variables,
and
the
Family
Assessment
Device
(Epstein,
Baldwin
&
Bishop,
1983),
which
measures
family
functioning
across
six
dimensions.
The
study
found
that
higher
scores
on
FIT
variables
were
associated
with
more
positive
experiences
of
the
family.
A
similar
pattern
of
results
was
observed
in
study
two
involving
participants
(N=52)
with
Autistic
Spectrum
Conditions
(ASCs).
The
results
of
the
studies
suggested
that
FIT
Science
is
a
useful
framework
to
study
family
functioning
in
diverse
contexts.
Study
three
compared
the
stress
and
perceptions
of
family
functioning
of
mothers
of
typically
developing
children
(n=55),
and
children
with
ASCs
(n=33).
Mothers
scoring
high
on
FIT
variables
had
better
perceptions
of
family
functioning,
were
less
anxious
and
depressed,
and
also
coped
better
with
the
demands
of
parenting.
Studies
four
and
five
explored
whether
FIT
Science
also
offers
a
useful
framework
for
promoting
changes
in
family
functioning
and
individual
well
being.
Study
four
reported
a
randomized
control
trial
of
a
FIT-‐Do
Something
Different
(FIT-‐DSD)
intervention,
which
was
administered
to
mothers
(n=13)
of
children
with
ASCs.
The
FIT-‐DSD
intervention
aimed
at
expanding
behavioural
flexibility
and
disrupting
constraining
habits.
Study
five
reported
a
qualitative
follow-‐up
of
the
intervention
group
in
study
four.
17
The
results
of
studies
four
and
five
suggested
that
the
FIT-‐DSD
intervention
was
a
useful
and
novel
tool
to
help
mothers
across
a
number
of
domains
of
family
life.
Relative
to
a
wait-‐list
control
group
(n=11),
the
intervention
group
reported
moderate
to
large
improvements
in
their
levels
of
parenting
stress,
depression,
relationship
satisfaction
and
scores
on
the
cognitive
FIT
variable
Self-‐responsibility.
Qualitative
investigation
also
suggested
that
the
intervention
helped
mothers
develop
feelings
of
control,
self-‐esteem
and
self-‐efficacy.
The
thesis
suggests
that
FIT
Science
offers
a
fruitful
framework
with
which
to
study
and
intervene
with
family
functioning.
Further
research
seeking
to
explore
the
use
of
FIT
Science
as
a
vehicle
for
family
change
is
recommended.
This
may
help
promote
better
physical
and
psychological
health
for
individuals
struggling
with
their
environmental
and
self-‐generated
constraints. | en_US |
