Family relationship and socio-economic context

Abstract

This study examined associations between family income, family structure and relationship quality among members of Brazilian families. Participants (n = 77) were mothers with at least one child within the age of zero to nine years-old living in two adjacent cities in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Face-to-face interviews were conducted during home visits. Quality of family relationship was evaluated in four dimensions: general quality of family life, marital conflict, mother-children conflict, and mother-children proximity. All dimensions of family relationship were significantly correlated. Quality of family life was affected by family income, co-residence structure and presence of  siblings. We concluded that the mothers' perception of the relationships among family members is interdependent, and their perception on general quality of life is affected by socio-economic variables.