Classification of Families Types, by Caniço and Fernandes: A Validation Study

Aims: Validate the Classification of Families Types, by Caniço and Fernandes, according to overall structure/dynamics (21), conjugal relationship (6) and parental relationship (7), proposed by Caniço, et al, in the book "New Types of Family Care Plan”, in which 5 types of family are original (pregnant, inbred, multiple, parent-centered, and non-objective). Understand its importance, in clinical practice, for creating an individual and family care plan adapted to contemporary families.

Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional observational study of 1400 UCSP patients of UCSP Dr. Manuel da Cunha, S. Martinho do Bispo Health Center. Data collected by the authors of the study, through consultation of the family clinical process, interview and application of the questionnaire "Healthy Apgar", chapter "Family". Statistical analysis, descriptive and inferential, elaborated using IBM SPSS® software.

Results: All defined family types were identified, characterized and statistically proven, with a higher frequency of nuclear families (family structure / dynamics), companionship and modern (marital relationship) and balanced/stable (parental relationship).

Conclusions: The new Classification of Families Types meets validation criteria once all family types have been statistically tested. The present study added credibility and statistical reliability to the relationships that were empirically already performed in the clinical setting. This is endowed with interest in pre/post graduate education and in the clinical practice of Family Physicians, by the demonstrated adaptation to contemporary families, their evaluation and creation of individual and family care plan.