Investigation of the Factors Influencing Family Functions Style

The purpose of this study is to explore the factors which affect the family functions. Participants of this study consisted of married employees with children at the Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey. The sample size is determined using a random sampling method (n = 551). In this research, family functioning style scale, support functions scale, and family needs scale developed by Dunst, Trivette and Deal (1988) used as well as the socioeconomic data such as age, gender, level of education, number of children, and the income level. According to the results of the study, married employees could be characterized as experiencing upper moderate family strengths and capabilities. Results of means comparisons showed significant differences on the family functioning style level by various socioeconomic factors. Higher levels of education, working less hours per week, having working spouse positively related to family functioning style. However, having 19 or older age children negatively related to family functioning style. Also age, number of children, and family size were negatively, but income was positively correlated to family functioning style. Regression analysis results suggested significant relationships exist among emotional support and agency support and family functioning style when controlling for socioeconomic variables.