Assessment of Families A Resiliency-Based Approach Importance of identifying sources of strength and resiliency to address demoralization, problem saturated family stories

Family Assessment Identify sources of protection within the family context Identify areas of family functioning that need to be strengthening Identify potential risks within the family context Assessment helps guide the selection of the treatment modality

Keystone risk factors Causal factors that are important and can be changed through an intervention Helpful in identifying where to begin Can create positive change that encourages the family, helps produce further positive change Mastering the possible—help create self-efficacy

Assessment questions What are sources of distress (risk factors) How do family members view these issues (appraisal) What aspects of the family, their extended world contribute to these sources of distress (risk factors) Are there additional factors that contribute to this distress (additive factors)

Assessment questions con’t What are the resources for coping and support possessed by family members, family organization, external world (protective factors) How can family members use these resources (access) How can these resources be enhanced (strengthening resources)

Family Getaway time

Assessment Questions con’t What barriers are preventing people from accessing resources (barriers) How can these barriers be reduced (strengthen access to resources)

Assessment issues Obtain information from other family members—different perspectives Importance of therapist being open to new information Assessment an ongoing process as the family learns to trust the therapist

Important skills and principles in assessing from a resiliency perspective Assess risk and protective factors Demonstrate respect for the family—listen for survival skills Help clients recognize their strength Identify the risk and protective factors that can be changed Engage the family in the selection of the intervention Be knowledgeable about interventions

Assessment Tools Measurement Instruments Examples The Self Report Inventory The Multi-problem Screening inventory The McMaster Family Assessment Device

Visual Devices Eco Map—identifies the family’s transaction with important aspects of environment emphasis on those that contribute to resources or stress for family members Text example Kastor family

Eco map of Kastor family

Visual Assessment Tools (con’t) Genogram Visual map of the family over time Includes information about members and their relationships and context Preferably include at least 3 generations Loden family in text

Genogram of Loden family

Family Interview Search for risk and protective factors Use of key questions and observation of family interaction patterns Verbal and nonverbal communication Clarification of non verbal messages for example, everyone is silent after someone has described an event, “does this mean that all of you agree with what x said?”

Family Interview themes Content—details of events –the family’s argument over who was supposed to help with the dishes last night or between teenagers and parents over the curfew Process—interaction patterns –repetitive patterns present when people describe content -The teenager argues her/his case in such a way that the parents begin disagreeing with how to handle the situation and blaming the other person

Family Interview Themes Linear cause and effect A_________B Bob causes all the problems with Jan Circular cause and effect Jan 8 teases Bob Bob 9 hits back Parents— tired from work, catch Bob, punish Bob and console Jan as the “victim”

Information from other family members Differences influenced by Life cycle issues (age, generation) Family communication patterns Family alliances

Family Interview con’t Social worker’s reaction --can begin to experience and replicate the family “dance” eg ignore the family isolate,

Family Interview con’t Nature of the stressor –what brought you here Onset of the stressor (acute or long term) Impact on the family –How has this affected you and your family Possible questions What brought you here, what type of help are you looking for, what changes do you wish to occur Impact on the family—possible questions—How has this affected you, what have been your concerns, how has this changed your family, what do you think might help, how has this affected your relationship with others outside your family

Family Interview con’t Nature of additive factors- Related to life cycle, circumstances, Unresolved issues activated, contextual issues Have you had your hands full with any other problems, difficulties, Has anything else happened that has made this worse, Are there other worries Mr. Warren family situation

Family Interview con’t Family appraisal of the situation Appraisals of the nature and cause of the problem, What did you make of, What do you think helped make this happen, What have you told yourself about … Appraisals of how to address the problem

Family Interview con’t Identifying appropriate resources Repertoire of coping strategies Families need a range of coping skills depending on the situation they are facing Belief systems Self efficacy, mastery, hope Identify information from past/present to promote these beliefs

Family Interview con’t Family trust, loyalty and affection Patterns of spirituality or faith Organizational patterns Family cohesion –ability to band together Family leadership (various situations, times) Family communication Flexibility of family roles Humor Family life cycle (issue of changes)

Family life cycle A long story throughout life

Looking forward to a future together

Embarking on their new life

Weddings can expand the family circle

The family story

Now mom and dad

And don’t forget the grandparents

Life changes at many ages

Assessment Cultural and community context Issues in family transition Levels of Family Functioning Level 1—family foundation at risk Level 2-basic needs met, issues in leadership Level 3 Basic needs and leadership met-problems in family organization and relationships Level 4 1-3 met, issues of intimacy