1. Stress At Home Kindra GarciaRebecca Reynolds Stephanie HotteMelissa Moon Jay OhRob Weitekamp

2. Stress At Home Family Stress Roommate Stress

3. WHY IS THIS TOPIC IMPORTANT? Everyone is affected in some way or another because we all face conflict and change Important to understand causes/effects in order to create and live in a stable, healthy home environment Family/home stress affects us throughout our entire lifetime, from birth until death

4. WHAT IS FAMILY STRESS? A real or imagined imbalance between the demands on the family and the family's ability to meet those demands. Demands = stressors A stressor is a life event or transition that happens in the family. – Stressors can be either positive or negative and can cause a change in the family's coping pattern. Examples: birth of a child, money shortages, or even a normal change in a family member’s development, such as a family member becoming a teenager

5. Family’s perception of stress the seriousness of the family stress depends on the family’s perception of the stressors – Reflects the family's values and its previous experience in dealing with change and meeting crisis. Do they see changes as challenges to be met or as uncontrollable and the beginning of ruin for the family?

6. WHO IS AFFECTED? The whole family—why??? – When considering family stress, you need to focus on the total family and its ability to cope with stress as a family—not solely on the inflicted individual For example, does the stress of an alcoholic teen affect just that teen? – No, it affects all members of that family, relatives and even the community in some cases

7. CAUSES OF FAMILY STRESS Conflict (cause and effect) – Marital – Sibling – Parent-child Change (cause and effect) – expected life changes holidays, life changes, retirement – unexpected life changes death, illness of a family member, divorce, unemployment – environmental changes relocation or moving, natural disasters

8. EFFECTS OF FAMILY STRESS Mental and emotional effects – hurt feelings – Frustration – Anger – Depression – jealousy – Anxiety – Insomnia – problems with relationships – confusion Physical effects – Fatigue – Illness – Headaches – Tension – high blood pressure – shortness of breath – stiff neck or back – upset stomach – weight gain or loss

9. How a family perceives stress is important Crisis – A situation in which the usual behavior patterns are ineffective and the family must develop new ones immediately – Provides families with both dangers and opportunities for growth Challenge – Family is able to use existing resources – Sees the situation in such a way as to prevent crisis

10. HOW TO DEAL stressor -> perception of stressor -> crisis or challenge -> coping mechanisms/resources Coping: developing new skills to respond to crisis, a process that occurs over time It is the action the family takes to remove the stressor, live with hardships or develop new resources in response to a crisis Resources – Support from friends/family/community – Professional counseling through schools or private practices – Local place of worship – Community centers – Telephone help lines – Support groups

11. COPING SKILLS FOR FAMILIES According to Hamilton McCubbin, family stress researcher at the University of Wisconsin, families who do a good job of managing stress have the following characteristics – (1) They do things as a family – (2) They build esteem in each other-support each other, show appreciation – (3) They "reach out" to their community by getting involved, not isolating themselves – (4) They enjoy their chosen lifestyle and can endure the hardships of that lifestyle better than those who are not happy with their chosen path – (5) They reduce tension and conflict – exercise, relax, get involved in activities and keep an overall positive outlook

12. Stress At Home “Roommates” Concerns Getting along Privacy Respect Differences in Opinions Cleaning/Responsibilities

13. Getting Along With Your Roommate Get to know each other Don’t expect too much…roommates don’t have to be best friends. Just get along Be open – ask, listen, discuss. Don’t wait for things to get out of hand Be sensitive to others moods Share what you can The room is both of yours. Decorate to both of your tastes.

14. Resolve Roommate Conflict Speak to your roommate directly, state the issues neutrally. Relate feelings. Offer resolutions. Be prepared to listen and willing to compromise. Ask the RA/mutual friend to intervene by meeting with both of you. His/her role is as a mediator as you both try to resolve the problem. Roommates meet with Residence Director. The RD may serve as arbitrator in resolving the conflict. Roommates may be asked to sign environment contracts. If things still don’t work out consider just being friendly to each other.

15. Roommate Rights The right to live in a clean room The right to expect that a roommate will respect one’s personal belongings Right to read or study without undue interference in one’s room The right to sleep without undue disturbance from noise. The right to personal privacy The right to be free from fear or intimidation and physical or emotional harm The right to have guests during visitation hours with the expectation that guests are to respect the rights of the hosts roommate. The right to reasonable use of the telephone

16. Move If the roommate problem cant be resolved one of you should move out! Get help from Department of Housing www.housing.ufl.edu/housing/ (352)392-2161 Or Apartment Hunters (352)336-9349