University Students' Perception of Fathers and Family Function

Abstract

　　This study examined the relation between perception of fathers in the family and family function among university students employing the Family System Test (FAST). Gender differences reported in previous studies using the FAST were also examined.

　　Sixty-five university students participated in the present study. They were administered the FAST and the Family Function Questionnaire. The results showed a significant association between perception of fathers in the family hierarchy and family function. Young adults who view their fathers as having more power than mothers and than themselves in the family had higher scores on the subscales of ‘positive perception of family’ and ‘problem solving.’ This result suggests that the difference between the father figure and self figure, instead of the difference between the lower parent figure and highest child figure, should be the hierarchy assessed by the FAST. In this way, the assessment by FAST could be made more suitable for Japanese family.

　　Regarding gender differences, the present study showed that women evaluate their relationship with parents as closer than men do. This result suggests that family structure perceived by women tends to be either of the ‘Balanced’ or ‘Unbalanced’ type, which could be one of the reasons that the original FAST categorization system seems to be unsuitable for the Japanese sample. In the future, the researchers using the FAST categorization should consider men and women separately.