An examination of family functioning utilizing the circumplex model in psychiatrically hospitalized children with depression.

The purpose of the current study was to explore the relationship between childhood depression and family functioning. 11 children with depression and 11 children without depression were compared via scores on the adaptability and cohesion dimensions of the FACES-III-K. Children with depression reported significantly less cohesive and more disengaged (displaying emotional separateness and lack of closeness) families than children without depression. Cohesion (the emotional bonding and individual autonomy of family members), but not adaptability, appears to be an important factor in the relationship between family functioning and childhood depression. Clinicians are advised to use treatments designed to help alleviate low family cohesion for children with depression.