The Problem 2

INFLUENCE OF DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES ON CHILDREN AMONG THE

UNIVERSITY OF BAGUIO SCIENCE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Arkias, Brent D.

Doble, Joey Jeremy C.

Hernandez, Gabriel C.

Paddit, David Adrian C.

Vergara, Alyssa M.

March 2, 2018
 The Problem 3

CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM

Background of the Study

The researchers believe that being in a dysfunctional family

is truly a struggle. But how much does it affect these children

who are part of one?

The definition of dysfunctional family is -"a family in which

conflict, misbehavior, and often child neglect or abuse on the

part of individual parents occur continually and regularly,

leading other members to accommodate such actions. Children

sometime grow up in such families with the understanding that such

an arrangement is normal".

Miller et al. studied married patients from dysfunctional

families and found out that “depressed patients from dysfunctional

families also appear to have a worse course of depression” (p.

637). This depression was related to “marital distress”,

“criticisms from spouse” (p. 637) and “family functioning” (p.

638). In addition, Reed et al. (1992) proposed the term “conduct

disordered behavior” (p. 352) and stated that children with this

kind of behavioral disorder tend to be “antisocial and socially

aggressive individuals” (p. 352). This means that children will

have been the most affected when families are dysfunctional. It

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was later on proposed by Association of Schools of Public Health

(1991) that “youths who are members of families that have problems

related to violence and parents’ little display of affection” (p.

251) are among the high risk groups to commit violence. That is

why it is very important to have a full emotional support coming

from the parents and the children.

In a research conducted by Wallace (1990), He did a research

sample on 61 respondents coming from dysfunctional families. It

was found out that the majority of patients are adult children of

a dysfunctional family (ACDF) of one kind or another (97%); for

example, patients experienced domestic violence (25%) and physical

abuse (28%). Perhaps as a result of less than ideal object

relations in dysfunctional families, many patients were also

diagnosed as having personality disorders (31%) or affective

disorders (21%).

Last August 2, 2012, Romeo Enriquez, the president of PPA

(Philippine Psychiatric Association), said that having a

dysfunctional family is the usual problem that Filipinos face today

where there are many problems that they face, work, stress and

relationships. However, the family is the worse thing that a

Filipino will have a problem with. Every year, more and more

Filipinos seek a doctor’s help and more mental illness are being

recorded among Filipinos. Treatment for these kinds of situation

 The Problem 5

is very expensive and therefore not everyone receives proper

medication (Crisostomo, 2012).

A research was also conducted among Filipino families and

found out that Filipino families are designed to be dysfunctional

for the problem starts inside the family. Filipinos were

influenced by the Spaniards, Americans and even the Japanese, and

even those bad influences, Filipinos never tried to remove it from

their system. False values are everywhere until today and that

dysfunctional families are growing. Further, people want to break

free from these traditions by going abroad and never come back to

their motherland. Family is the most influential thing on earth.

The way we act, vote, corruption, bad behavior are all from

families which reflect the family’s state (Chino, 2011)

Due to the rising rate of these children involved in

dysfunctional families, the researchers are eager to conduct this

research in hopes of finding an answer if there are effects of

children in dysfunctional families in terms of academics and habits.

The researchers, want to conduct this research because they

want to find out if this is also applicable to children

(adolescence). Since the research conducted by Wallace, was

particularly for adult respondents, the researchers would like to

know if the results apply the same or if it is factual or purely

coincidental.
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Significance of the Study

The researchers believe that, with the rise of families in

their community, this research is essential to find out its effects

on the children affected by these problems. With the results, they

believe that the research can be a catalyst for change in the way

people view these children affected by their dysfunctional

families. It will also serve as a foundation in which the

university can be able to address this growing problem among

children.

Therefore, the researchers believe that this problem should

be addressed locally, nationally, and internationally because

being in a dysfunctional family has its effects and it concerns

everyone. Although conducting this research may be a struggle due

to the fact that it is difficult to look for willing respondents,

the researchers are positive that there will be individuals who

are willing to help us out and look for clarifications as well.

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Theoretical Framework

The citations of Miller et al. and Enriquez R., president of

the Philippine Psychiatric Association become to foundation in

which the research is grounded on. Their data give the researchers

a reference point essential for the researchers to study on – the

adolescence.

“Academic" is defined by - "relating to education and

scholarship". But the researchers will define "academic" as the

performance pertaining to one's grades

Although the actual definition of "habits" is - "a settled or

regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give

up," the researchers defined "habits" as one's vices or fixations.

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Research Paradigm

INPUT: THROUGHPUT: OUTPUT:

Background Focus-group Data on the

research on discussion with effects of
the targeted the applicants of dysfunctional
subjects. the study families to the
subjects
Pre-survey Interview with
to be able the respondents Recommendations
to collect and experts in for other
and contact the field. researchers who
applicants will conduct
for the studies about
study dysfunctional
families

Figure 2. Paradigm of the study

The research starts with background research on the

individuals to be researched on, so that the researchers know how

appropriately approach their sample. After which, they create a

pre-survey that will be used to collect data on the subjects with

the subjects’ consent, gathering the necessary data such as their

names and contact information. With this, the researchers will

then proceed to contacting of these individuals and conduct a

focus-group discussion in which they will draw conclusions for the

study.
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Statement of the Problem and Hypotheses

The following are the questions that the researchers sought

to answer:

1. What is the direct influence on the academics of a child from

a dysfunctional family?

Hypothesis: Their grades are directly affected due to being

in a dysfunctional family.

2. What habits do children in a dysfunctional family develop?

Hypothesis: These children develop habits that help cope with

their dysfunctional families.

3. What are the factors which affect a child in a dysfunctional

family?

Hypothesis: Factors that affect a child in a dysfunctional

family are financial instability and the lack of parental

figures to look up to.