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2026, Number 3

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Aten Fam 2026; 33 (3)

Assessment of Family Functioning and Life Crises in Patients with Heart Failure

Méndez-Cázares JA, Villegas-Sepúlveda AD

Language: Spanish
References: 25
Page: 157-162
PDF size: 150.28 Kb.


ABSTRACT

Objective: To describe the frequency of family dysfunction and life crises in patients with heart failure attending primary healthcare settings and to explore their possible association with hospitalization. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. Eighty-five patients with a confirmed diagnosis of heart failure registered at a family medicine unit were included. Family functioning was assessed using the faces III scale, and stressful life events were evaluated using the Holmes and Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale. Descriptive statistics and tests of association were applied, with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: Family dysfunction was identified in 96.4% of patients. Only 1.2% were classified as experiencing a life crisis according to the operational cutoff point used; however, when mild, moderate, and severe levels were considered, 15.5% showed some degree of social readjustment. A statistically significant association was found between family dysfunction and hospitalization (χ2= 6.27; p= 0.012). Conclusions: Family dysfunction was common in this sample of patients with heart failure, whereas formal life crises were infrequent. Assessment of the family environment may provide clinically useful information for patient follow-up in primary care settings; however, longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate its relationship with hospitalization and other clinical outcomes.


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