Chapter 18, Family Stress, Crises and Resilience Theoretical Perspectives on Family Stress and Crisis What Precipitates a Family Crisis? The Course of a Family Crisis Theories of Family Crisis and Adaptation 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.

The 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.

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 Defining a 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