1. Defining Crisis The Impact of Crises on the FamilyThe Impact of Crises on the Family

2. Definition- Crises Crises are experiences or events that cause people to make major changes in their lives Crises are experiences or events that cause people to make major changes in their lives

3. Definition- Stressors Life events that change or have the potential to produce change in the family cause stress- which are called stressors Life events that change or have the potential to produce change in the family cause stress- which are called stressors

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

5. Crises-Producing Life Events (1) Devastating events that cause a great loss (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 Events that cause great losses are more likely to lead to crises than events that cause small losses

6. Crises-Producing Life Events (2) Very stressful events that widely impact members (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 A stressful event that affects several or all the members in a family is very likely to produce a crisis

7. Crisis-Producing Life Events (3) Sudden important 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. 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.

8. Crisis-Producing Life Events (4) Events requiring major adjustments (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 Events that require little or no change are less likely to result in crises than events that require major adjustments

9. The Pileup Effect Crises can result when several changes occur at the same time, or one after another 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 in itself is too small to produce a significant loss Each event may not affect all the family members Each event may not affect all the family members Changes may be expected and occur slowly Changes may be expected and occur slowly

10. The Pileup Effect Small changes do not have the characteristics of crises-producing events Small changes do not have the characteristics of crises-producing events The stress from each event continues to build, producing a PILEUP EFFECT The stress from each event continues to build, producing a PILEUP EFFECT End result is a crisis End result is a crisis Can you think of an example? Can you think of an example?

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

12. 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 whole family can be negatively affected

13. The Family System Becomes Unbalanced Family is functioning smoothly = balanced Family is functioning smoothly = balanced Each member carries out his/her roles Each member carries out his/her roles Family works together to meet the needs of each member Family works together to meet the needs of each member Family able to fulfill its function in each member’s life Family able to fulfill its function in each member’s life In a crisis, one or more changes disrupt balance In a crisis, one or more changes disrupt balance Individual family members are unable to fulfill their functions Individual family members are unable to fulfill their functions Suddenly, family is not functioning smoothly as a unit 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 Family needs time, resources, and support as it works to adjust to the changes and restore balance

14. A Loss Affects Family Functions Most crises situations, some type of loss has taken place: Most crises situations, some type of loss has taken place: May involve a family member May involve a family member Skills or abilities Skills or abilities Job Job Income Income home home

15. A Loss Affects Family Functions Loss hinders the family’s ability to fulfill its normal functions-Loss hinders the family’s ability to fulfill its normal functions- at least for a period of timeat least for a period of time

16. Loss Affects Family Functions Family function of reproducing and socializing children is hindered by Family function of reproducing and socializing children is hindered by Illness Illness Divorce Divorce Hospitalization Hospitalization Loss of a family member Loss of a family member

17. Loss Affects Family Functions Job loss or a natural disaster could hinder the family’s ability to meet physical needs 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 Family function of assigning roles may slowed by any crisis that prevents members from carrying out their roles

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

19. The Grieving Process When family members experience loss, even though small, they go through a 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 When they are able to identify and accept their feeling, they will be able to handle then and go on with their lives

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

21. Grieving Process Denial “Is this really happening… to me!”“Is this really happening… to me!” Anger “Why is this happening to us?”“Why is this happening to us?” Guilt “What did we do to cause or deserve this?”

22. Grieving Process To try and get rid of these feelings, they may blame others for the problem 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 try to bargain to make themselves feel better They may feel sorry for themselves and become depressed They may feel sorry for themselves and become depressed Blame/Bargaining/Depression Blame/Bargaining/Depression

23. Grieving Process Acceptance Acceptance These feeling are NORMAL responses in the grieving process These feeling are NORMAL responses in the grieving process It is important that family members move on and accept the reality of the loss 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.” “This happened to our family and we are sad, but we can and will move on.”

24. Accepting a Loss Acceptance is needed so family members can take action and adjust to the changes brought about by the 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 They need to work together so the function of the family can be carried out Roles may need to be adjusted Roles may need to be adjusted Financial resources or help from others may be needed Financial resources or help from others may be needed

25. Unhealthy Adjustment Patterns If the family does not adjust, unhealthy patterns may develop If the family does not adjust, unhealthy patterns may develop Feelings of anger, blame, and guilt will continue Feelings of anger, blame, and guilt will continue Members may feel depressed, stop eating, withdraw from others, or fail to show up at work 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 abuse alcohol or other drugs to cover up their feelings They may lash out and abuse other family members They may lash out and abuse other family members

26. Unhealthy Adjustment Patterns When family doesn’t function normally, the physical and mental health of members may suffer 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 Parents may ignore their parental responsibilities- as result children may be neglected, malnourished, or abused

27. Unhealthy Adjustment Patterns Children’s emotional development will suffer if they don not experience love and acceptance 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 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 This feeling is listed as a major factor in teen suicide

28. 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 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 Developing skills for preventing a family crisis is important for all family members