Defining CrisisThe Impact of Crises on the Family

Definition- Crises

• Crises are experiences or events that cause people to make major changes in their lives

Definition- Stressors

• Life events that change or have the potential to produce change in the family cause stress- which are called stressors

Four Factors

• Whether stress leads to a crisis depends on the following four factors:• The event itself• Number of stressful events experienced at the same time• How the family identifies and interprets the event• Resources available to manage the stressful event

Crises-Producing Life Events

• (1) Devastating events that cause a great loss• Events that cause great losses

are more likely to lead to crises than events that cause small losses

Crises-Producing Life Events

• (2) Very stressful events that widely impact members• A stressful event that affects

several or all the members in a family is very likely to produce a crisis

Crisis-Producing Life Events

• (3) Sudden important events• When an event is unexpected,

the family has no time to prepare for the change. If they have no previous experience with such a change, they often feel the situation is out of control.

Crisis-Producing Life Events

• (4) Events requiring major adjustments• Events that require little or no

change are less likely to result in crises than events that require major adjustments

The Pileup Effect

• Crises can result when several changes occur at the same time, or one after another

• Each event in itself is too small to produce a significant loss• Each event may not affect all the family members

• Changes may be expected and occur slowly

The Pileup Effect

• Small changes do not have the characteristics of crises-producing events

• The stress from each event continues to build, producing a PILEUP EFFECT

• End result is a crisis

• Can you think of an example?

The Pileup Effect

• Ex:• The stress from poor grades on a test,• An argument with a friend,• Conflict with parents,• And pressure from peers

How Crises Affect the Family An individual’s crisis can be a crisis for the family

Every member in a family affects every other member When a member is unable to function,

the whole family can be negatively affected

The Family System Becomes Unbalanced

• Family is functioning smoothly = balanced• Each member carries out his/her roles• Family works together to meet the needs of each member• Family able to fulfill its function in each member’s life

• In a crisis, one or more changes disrupt balance• Individual family members are unable to fulfill their functions• Suddenly, family is not functioning smoothly as a unit• Family needs time, resources, and support as it works to adjust to

the changes and restore balance

A Loss Affects Family Functions

• Most crises situations, some type of loss has taken place:• May involve a family member• Skills or abilities• Job• Income• home

A Loss Affects Family FunctionsLoss hinders the family’s ability to fulfill its normal functions-

at least for a period of time

Loss Affects Family Functions

• Family function of reproducing and socializing children is hindered by • Illness• Divorce• Hospitalization• Loss of a family member

Loss Affects Family Functions

• Job loss or a natural disaster could hinder the family’s ability to meet physical needs• Family function of assigning roles may slowed by any crisis

that prevents members from carrying out their roles

Loss Affects Family Functions

• Family’s ability to carry out the function of providing close relationships and intimacy may be hindered by• Death• Divorce• Move away from relatives

The Grieving Process

• When family members experience loss, even though small, they go through a grieving process

• When they are able to identify and accept their feeling, they will be able to handle then and go on with their lives

Grieving Process

• When loss occurs, family members pass through certain emotional stages:• Denial• Anger• Guilt• Blame/Bargaining/Depression• Acceptance

Grieving Process

Denial“Is this really happening… to me!”

Anger“Why is this happening to us?”

Guilt“What did we do to cause or deserve this?”

Grieving Process

• To try and get rid of these feelings, they may blame others for the problem

• They may try to bargain to make themselves feel better

• They may feel sorry for themselves and become depressed

• Blame/Bargaining/Depression

Grieving Process

• Acceptance

• These feeling are NORMAL responses in the grieving process

• It is important that family members move on and accept the reality of the loss

• “This happened to our family and we are sad, but we can and will move on.”

Accepting a Loss

• Acceptance is needed so family members can take action and adjust to the changes brought about by the loss• They need to work together so the function of the family

can be carried out• Roles may need to be adjusted• Financial resources or help from others may be needed

Unhealthy Adjustment Patterns

• If the family does not adjust, unhealthy patterns may develop• Feelings of anger, blame, and guilt will continue• Members may feel depressed, stop eating, withdraw from

others, or fail to show up at work• They may abuse alcohol or other drugs to cover up their

feelings• They may lash out and abuse other family members

Unhealthy Adjustment Patterns

• When family doesn’t function normally, the physical and mental health of members may suffer• Parents may ignore their parental responsibilities- as result

children may be neglected, malnourished, or abused

Unhealthy Adjustment Patterns

• Children’s emotional development will suffer if they don not experience love and acceptance• Children may feel ALIENATED- alone, without hope, or cut

off from other who care• This feeling is listed as a major factor in teen suicide

Unhealthy Adjustment Patterns

• Responding to crises with unhealthy behavior patterns may hinder the growth and development of family members and cause serious long-term results• Developing skills for preventing a family crisis is important

for all family members