Chapter 15

Family Stress, Crises and Resilience

Chapter Outline Theoretical Perspectives on Family

Stress and Crisis What Precipitates a Family Crisis? The Course of a Family Crisis

Chapter Outline Family Stress, Crisis, Adjustment and

Adaptation: A Theoretical Model Meeting Crises Creatively Crisis: Disaster or Opportunity

Definition of Crisis Crisis involves change. A crisis is a turning point with the potential

for positive effects, negative effects, or both.

A crisis is a time of relative instability.

Types of Stressors Addition of a family member. Loss of a family member. Sudden change in income or social

statues. Ongoing family conflict. Daily family hassles.

Types of Stressors Ambiguous loss

physically absent but still part of the family (divorce, missing in action).

physically present, but emotionally absent (drug /alcohol addiction).

Types of Stressors Caring for a dependent or disabled family

member. Demoralizing events - job loss, unwanted

pregnancy, poverty, homelessness, having one’s child in foster care, mental illness, criminal prosecution.

Course of a Family Crisis

1. The event that caused the crisis.

2. Period of disorganization that follows.

3. Reorganization or recovery phase after the family reaches a low point.

Patterns of Family Adaptation to Crisis

Divorce As a Family Adjustment to Crisis and As a Crisis in Itself

ABC-X Model of Family Crisis A - stressor event

interacting with B -family’s ability to cope with a crisis

interacting with C - family’s appraisal of the stressor event

produces X - the crisis.

Factors in Defininga Stressful Event The nature of the stressor. The degree of hardship or the kind of

problems the stressor creates. The families previous successful

experience in the event crises. Childhood legacies of adult family

members.

Meeting Crisis Creatively A positive outlook Spiritual Values and Support Groups Open, Supportive Communication Adaptability Informal Social Support An Extended Family Community Resources

Quick Quiz

1. The text points out that a family member’s injury or illness, or a death in the family is a source of family

a) stress.

b) alienation.

c) disgruntlement.

d) panic.

Answer: a The text points out that a family

member’s injury or illness, or a death in the family is a source of family stress.

2. Which of the following is NOT one of the types of stressors examined in the text?

a) daily family hassles

b) demoralizing events

c) conflict over family roles

d) gradual change

Answer: d Gradual change is NOT one of the

types of stressors examined in the text.

3. In the ABC-X model of family crisis, the “B” represents

a) the family’s ability to cope with a crisis, their crisis-meeting resources.

b) the family’s appraisal of the stressor event.

c) the stressor event.d) the crisis.

Answer: a In the ABC-X model of family crisis, the

“B” represents the family’s ability to cope with a crisis, their crisis-meeting resources.

4. In the ABC-X model of family crisis, the “C” represents

a) the stressor event.

b) the crisis.

c) the family’s ability to cope with a crisis, their crisis meeting resources.

d) the family’s appraisal of the stressor event.

Answer: d In the ABC-X model of family crisis, the

“C” represents the family’s appraisal of the stressor event.