Stress

1
Stress!

• Stress a family's reaction to a change in the
  family
• Stressor an event which causes change in the
  family system

2
ABC-X Family Stress ModelBoss, P. (1988).
Family Stress Management. Newbury Park, CA Sage
3
Double ABC-X ModelMcCubbin, H. I., Cauble,
A.E., Patterson, J.M. (1982). Family
stress,coping, and social support. Springfield,
IL Thomas.
4
Seven Phases to Coping with Stress

• Immobilization
• Minimization
• Depression
• Letting go
• Testing
• Searching for meaning
• Internalization

5
Reducing Stress

• 1
• Garner as many resources as you can.

6
Types of Resources

• Internal resources
• Redefining a stressful experience in a way that
  makes it manageable
• Strong sense of family identity and intimacy
• Good communication styles
• External resources
• Social support from friends, neighbors, relatives
  
• Spiritual support from some sort of clergy
• Community resources such as classes, shelters,
  grants, programs, etc.
• Olsen, D., Larsen, A., McCubbin, H. (1985).
  Family strengths. In D. Olsen, H. McCubbin, H.
  Barnes, A. Larsen, M. Muxen, M. Wilson (Eds.),
  Family Inventories. University of Minnesota.

7
Reducing Stress

• 2
• Have a positive perception of the stressor.

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Contexts Affecting Perceptions

• Internal contexts
• Relational culture
• Family size and structure
• Personality/cognitive functions of family members
  
• Other stressors
• Boundaries/rules of family
• External contexts
• Historical frame
• Economic frame
• Developmental frame
• Cultural frame
• Olsen, D., Larsen, A., McCubbin, H. (1985).
  Family strengths. In D. Olsen, H. McCubbin, H.
  Barnes, A. Larsen, M. Muxen, M. Wilson (Eds.),
  Family Inventories. University of Minnesota.