Crisis Theory

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Crisis Theory Life Events
Presentation to EPI 6181 class by Crystal
Dunn, October 2003
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Crisis Theory Origin

• Erikson (1950-59)
• Normal personality growth occurs through
  resolution of normative developmental crises
• Those who resolve problems in previous stage
  achieve lasting solution, new skill, confidence
  etc. building blocks for future solutions
  coping mechanisms
• Potential for development or vulnerability
• Caplan (1961)
• Unscheduled crises or life events, when
  successfully resolved, also promote growth

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Crisis Theory Defined

• Crisis upset in steady state
• Life cycle is a series of events that may or may
  not cause crisis (normative OR unscheduled)
• Crisis refers to the emotional reaction to a
  hazardous event, and not the situation itself
• Call to action
• Crisis situation involves both danger and
  opportunity

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Crisis Theory Defined cont

• Crisis may be viewed as a challenge, a threat, or
  a loss
• Views depend on unique physical and emotional
  makeup as well as resources available to handle
  situation
• Not every hazardous event becomes a crisis for
  every person because it may or may not produce a
  state of disequilibrium

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3 Stages of Crisis Theory Goals

• Pre-Crisis
• Health promotion disease prevention
• Crisis
• Amelioration and/or Restoration
• Post-Crisis
• Rehabilitation or maintenance

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2 Types of Hazardous Events

• Developmental hazardous events
• Those that everyone experiences
• Normative, predictable
• Requires new problem-solving mechanisms
• e.g. birth, entry into school, marriage, death of
  loved one all maturational phases
• Situational Hazardous events
• Accidental happenings that some persons
  experience not same for everyone
• Require new problem-solving mechanisms
• e.g. change in job, accident, disease

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Pre-Crisis Stage

• Whether or not hazardous event leads to
  individual crisis depends on perception of
  problem (may be real or imagined)
• If the person possesses adequate adaptive
  mechanisms, there will be a solution to the
  problem, or recovery
• Through experiencing the event, person has added
  to problem-solving mechanisms and achieves higher
  level of functioning.

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Crisis Stage

• Coping mechanisms fail
• Reaction to the problem is unique for each
  individual
• Original problem actually intensifies in this
  stage
• Intervention may lead to resolution of crisis and
  growth may be achieved new coping mechanisms
  developed

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Post Crisis

• Either growth or regression
• Major disorganization if no resolution
• Becomes more difficult to mobilize resources and
  seek additional help
• Leads to breakdown or maladaptation
• Intervention at this stage may achieve maximum
  possible level of wellness
• Otherwise, entropy increases, which lead directly
  to death

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Developmental Hazardous Events

• Human Sexuality
• Child birth continuum
• Changing physical status
• Accomplishment of socialization
• Accomplishment of industry/work
• Achieving a rational and dignified end to life
  (does not include sudden or untimely death)

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Situational Hazardous Events

• Loss of Relationships
• Loss of Regulation
• Loss of Protective Measures
• Loss of Mobility
• Loss of Sensory-Motor Function
• Loss of Patency (e.g. blocked arteries)
• Loss of Reproductive Integrity