Associations Between Perceived Social Support and Subjective and Structural Dimensions of Family Functioning Among Married Mothers of Children Receiving Psychiatric Treatment

BackgroundFamily functioning is closely associated with children's mental health, particularly in child psychiatry settings where caregiving demands are high. Perceived social support is recognized as a protective factor associated with coping processes, yet its relationship with family functioning remains complex and multidimensional.AimsThis study aimed to examine subjective and structural dimensions of family functioning among married mothers accompanying children receiving psychiatric treatment and to explore their associations with perceived social support.MethodThis quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted with 189 married mothers in a child psychiatry clinic in Türkiye. Data were collected using a sociodemographic information form, the Family APGAR Scale, the Family Assessment Device, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Descriptive statistics, bivariate Pearson correlation analyses, multivariate analyses of variance, and univariate between-subjects analyses were performed.ResultsAfter multiple-comparison correction, family support positively correlated with Family APGAR scores and was negatively associated with dysfunction across five dimensions. Total support was associated with Family APGAR scores and three FAD dimensions, while significant-other support was associated with affective responsiveness. No support indicator was associated with behavioral control. Family APGAR total scores showed strong negative associations with several FAD dimensions, although the magnitude varied across domains. The Family APGAR and FAD therefore captured related but non-identical aspects of family functioning, with the former reflecting subjective global perceptions of family functioning and the latter structural and functional processes across specific family domains. Multivariate analyses further indicated that Family APGAR total scores, FAD general functioning, and total perceived social support varied across selected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.ConclusionsThe findings support a multidimensional understanding of family functioning. Family-centered assessment in child psychiatry should consider both subjective perceptions and structural and functional family processes. Because the study was cross-sectional, no conclusions can be drawn regarding temporal, causal, or reciprocal relationships.