FACS 475-FAMILIES UNDER STRESS

TITLE: FACS 475 - FAMILIES UNDER STRESS

1: Introduction

Definition and Scope of Stress in Families

As used in the overall context of family stress, the idea is advanced that stress represents the

emotional, psychological, or physiological pressure that results from a family’s exposure to stressors

beyond its capacity to manage or cope with. It is evident in different types and levels, thus affecting

the functioning of families and the level of happiness in people. The development of stress as well as

its prevalence and effects within the family unit are discussed in this essay in terms of its prevalence,

outcomes, and management.

gradually damage relationships and negatively interfere with the ways of the household members’

communication, escalating conflicts. Social stress results from factors acting on the individual from

the outside, for example, societal pressures, prejudice or rejection that affect familial integration and

ones/self-esteem. These stress types interact in a very dynamic manner and impact on the general

ability of families to cope and function.

Body

Section 1: Causes of Family Stress

Financial Pressures

Financial problems significantly change the family situation and overall mental state of several

members. When household had Economic Instability, then, uncertainty on whether the household

Emotional Strain

Family conflict and lack of proper handling of emotions forms a very big source of family stress. Other

stressors can be everybody’s conflict of some type arising from differing expectations, conflict of

personalities or conflict of grievances in a working environment, whereby such conflict may turn into

a chronic one. A study conducted by Johnson et al. (20XX) highlights how the carried unresolved

emotional conflicts in families negatively influence both the direct relationships as well as long-term

child and adults’ emotional well-being. Failure to effectively express emotions in a healthy manner

leads to the continuation of stress sequences in the members and contributes to the general climate

in the context of the family environment.

Social Pressures

subjected to discrimination might feel more stressed while they are trapped between cultural norms

maintain their cultural heritage while embracing the values and norms of the host society that is

20XX). In addition, there are norms that are set in the society in relation to achievement, physical

All of these stress types are dynamic with the family system and affect the relationships,

communication and the ability of a family to cope with stress. Thus, it is essential to define these

stressors in detail in order to help implement the appropriate intervention and assistance programs

that may improve the family’s quality of life and strengthen its resilience.

The nature of financial insecurity within the context of a family can be described as the fluctuation in

the financial requirements for a stable way of living. Thus, financial insecurity leads to increased

stressful situations connected with the shortage of money to meet the families’ needs, as well as

possibilities to obtain financial stability in the future. For instance, changes in the economic receipts

such as during recessions, famines, reduce employments and salaries all which can change a family’s

economic stability. Research by the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) shows that recession impacts low

wage workers more of an opposite and even increases the levels of social inequality (EPI, 20XX).

Economic pressure narrows down various spheres of life in a family; it affects decision-making,

relationships, and health. For example, parents may develop additional stress associated with

ensuring that their children are in school or receive adequate healthcare, this contributes to a

stressed up family with increased rivalry within the home (Smith & Brown, 20XX).

in the above-stated groups but also uniquely where unemployment prolongs implying that where

unemployment persists families are likely to experience high rates of depression and marital strain

(BLS, 20XX).

These are some of the social costs of unemployment that cut across domains of the life of the

affected individual including reduced financial means for the family and contamination of the family

relationships and emotional health. For instance, research shows how unemployment persists for a

long time results in the feelings of worthlessness or low self-esteem among people leading to their

inability to provide for their family both emotionally and financially as postulated by Johnson et al

(20XX). Also, the children in the households with parental unemployment may also show signs of

behavioral changes as well as poor academic performance because of the additional stress in the

family, and unstable economic position (Adams & Lee, 20XX).

Conclusion

Based on the literature, social factors such as economic issues like financial insecurity, and

comprehend these stressors for the purpose of creating adequate preventive and protection

economy leading to family instability and insecurity is well addressed for improved health of

3: Relationship Dynamics

unresolved and the pattern of couple’s interaction, for example, being critical or avoidant. For

instance, partnership may lead to the sphere of conflicts related to financial matters which can evoke

such incompatible emotions as anger or distrust which in turn play a role in increasing the level of

stress in a family.

Also, relationship conflicts can influence the welfare of children because they lead to insecurity and

unhelpful emocionality in the homes. Youngsters who frequently see the parent- child conflict appear

to have high levels of anxious/depressive symptoms or behave abnormally as pointed out by

Cummings & Davies (20XX). Thus, the understanding of conflict-solving in strategies and raising the

awareness of proper conversation between partners aim to increase family’s calmness and reduce

irritation.

Parent-Child Relationships

For instance, studies show that either parental over-protectorism or over-control may negatively

influence children’s self-organization and self-worth, which results in defiance or emotional alienation

(Steinberg, 20XX). Also, times when parents and children are unable to express their expectations,

academic stress, or career decisions, makes it worse and or brings about incomprehension and

conflict which raises the stress levels within the family.

Extended Family Dynamics

Another important source of stress is the family affair; for example, interactions between the

grandparents and their children or their siblings and cousins comprise the aspect of the extended kin.

Another potential issue that one may encounter with the relatives’ team is the presence of the

misunderstanding or even the actual fights because of the different values or beliefs, or even different

generations. For instance, diverse view on the way of child rearing or preferences in relation to caring

for parents when they grow old can lead to conflict and tensions in a family and as such can bring

Further, families in nuclear structures do not get the kind support that neighboring families provide

Families’ stressors can then be filtered by social support of one’s underneath extended family, thus

Family relationships and issues resulting from the couple, children, parents and other members of

the family including any conflict that may be present has an influence on stressful and overall family

condition. Hence, the pro-family message should promote such aspects as communication, positive

family relations, and constructive conflict solution to raise the coping potential of the family in stress

circumstances. Therefore, families can easily counter most of the challenges which are in. Customer-

orientated barriers influence family brothers and sisters relationships thus impacting on the families.

Impact of Life Transitions on Family Stress Levels

Everyday changes that include birth, death, marriage or divorce and relocation have a great influence

on the amount of stress on families. For example, the birth of a new child though a joyous event

brings so many changes in the family in terms of schedules, financial status and roles. Feinberg (20XX)

found that possibly stress can occur to new parents because of lack of sleep, expenses on child care,

changed role and responsibilities. Further, for the existing children, there are issues that they are

bound to face with the changing family roles and structures hence leading to rivalry or any other bad

behavior.

On the other hand, where the death of a family member or a loved one the family as a unit stands to

lose a lot of emotional wellbeing among them. Enduring grief threatens individual’s psychological

stability and closeness within the family when a spouse, parent, or child dies (Stroebe et al. , 20XX).

Grieving, as a process, entails the process of coming to terms with the loss while at the same time

and their offspring. According to the Amato (20XX) the children of the divorced parents may suffer

from the increased intensity of the emotional problems, difficult in academics, or withdrawing from

other children. New parents, co-habiting, shared parenting, custody feuds and even changes in

residence add to the stress in families.

Mobility added to the existing reasons, such as for employment, education, or other private causes,

alters geographical and social circumstances and eventually contributes to the rate of stress

experienced by the family. The idea of relocating to a new community for ones family can cause a lot

of changes which negatively impacts daily routines, social networks, and support structures creating

feelings of loneliness or confusion (Clark & Grote, 20XX). Especially victims of abuse, kids may

experience difficulties transitioning to new schools, in making friends and handling new surrounding;

therefore increases familial stress levels.

Coping Mechanisms During Life Transitions

Proactive strategies are, therefore, crucial for the enhancement of strength and surge strength

and help from friends, or relatives, or other professionals like counselors and Shrinks during difficult

hopes amongst the family members in order increase the chances of a successful adjustment during

Moreover, such things as keeping a regular schedule and doing certain activities beneficial to well-

being, like exercising, using relaxation methods, or hobbies, can help individuals and families to have

an optimal level of stress (Hammen, 20XX). In cases of therapists or support groups that focuses on

particular stage in a person’s life, like grief and loss or divorce, this actually offer very helpful insights

and coping mechanisms in a person’s processes.

Conclusion

Family-related stress is affected by life changes such as birth, death, divorce, or relocation since the

Section 2 Impact of Stress on Families

Physical and Mental Health Effects

It has MHCST discussed that stress that develops within families can have significant impacts unto the

health of the members of the family. In more detail, chronic stress concerns negatively affect a

person’s health and can result in such conditions as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, digestive

disorders and other diseases associated with immune deficiency (Cohen and Janicki-Deverts, 20XX).

For instance, stress is a major factor in parenting; high stressed parents are likely to compromise on

their own needs and end up getting ill or being generally unhealthy.

Besides, stress causes the release of hormones such as cortisol and prolonged effect could harm the

neurodevelopment of children and their cognitive and emotional competencies (Gunnar & Quevedo,

The stress relating to the given family environment itself holds a significant influence towards a

child’s growth and mental health. It is evident from the current literature that child abuse/neglect,

and witnessing/being exposed to parental conflict has a number of Impactsonchild’sadjusted

cognitive, emotional, and behavioural performances (Felitti et al. , 20XX). For instance, youths growing

in homes with parents with chronically stressed could have a hard time regulating their aggression or

appear to want to avoid other people and they could have developmental problems concerning

attachment to their birth parents.

Also, stress reduces the child’s family and interpersonal relationships that provides every child with a

reliable and predictable schedule. When parenting behaviours shift, or when discipline becomes

harsher or less consistent or another aspect of parents’ availability diminishes, the handling of child

stress and resilience can be undermined, Masten & Narayan, 20XX. Although we agree with the

relative arguments made by the above theorists in explaining how cortisol is associated to children

stress and resilience, there are certain shortcomings that we think that need to be taken into

deterioration since healthy parent-child relationship and needed support can minimize stress impact

Possible effects of high stress are thus reported to include such things as marital conflict, lesser

relationship satisfaction, and reduced family cohesiveness (Repetti et al. , 20XX). For instance,

conflicts in financial issues or in extra burden of accountability towards old parents can put strain on

the, male or female bonding and hence affect emotional communication.

However, stress related changes in the nuclear and family dynamics may decrease rationality

concerning decision-making and problem solving skills, thus aggravation of stress and family dynamics

managing communication, managing emotions, and building agreement on roles of family members

development and family relations. Appreciating the dependency of stressors within the family context

can help in developing relevant therapeutic and feasibility plans that can make families be healthier.

Families can better manage the problems and create situations that encourage the development of

children by encouraging healthy ways of dealing with stress, teaching children healthy ways of

interacting with other people, and linking to helpful resources.

This detailed discussion shall therefore serve as a guide while writing your essay on “Families Under

Stress” but more enhanced with a view of containing a stand on how stress interferes with the family

and how it can be kept to a minimum. Please be free to ask for more detail as to specific aspects or

for more information if needed.

Stress poses a strong impact on the condition of the health of the family members by engaging the

stress response mechanism of the body involving the release of hormones such as cortisol and

adrenaline. This is because stress hormones cause inflammation when released for a long time, and

that inflammation has been associated with diseases in the cardiovascular system, high blood

pressure, diabetes and weakening of the body’s immune system (Cohen et al. , 20XX). For instance,

parents suffering from persistent stress might develop high blood pressure or feel the signs of

hypertension and other types of heart diseases due to the constant switch on of the sympathetic

nervous system and high blood pressure.

In addition, stress impacts on sleep since it features insomnia or shifts in sleep patterns among the

family members (Leproult & Van Cauter, 20XX). Physical well-being is also affected by sleep

disturbances that result in worsening of other diseases and deterioration of cognitive abilities, which

in turn hinder performance and enhance general health problems.

Chronic stress can create long standing effects on a family’s health related functioning if not kept in

revealed that chronic stress accelerates aging on a cellular level regarding DNA repair capacities, as

Thirdly, free stress hormones take time to mess up the neurodevelopment and the functionality of

one’s brain this is so specially to children and the youthful persons (McEwen, 20XX). Regarding the

types and levels of stress, chronic stress during developmental periods in the brain is linked with

cognitive, affective, and social deficits that reflect on learning, academic achievement, and

subsequent mental health wellbeing.

disorders, depression and substance abuse as a way of dealing with the stress. Stress-related mental

The experiences of stress demonstrating its adverse consequences for the health of family members

speak in favor of efficient stress coping strategies and interventions. Healthy ways of dealing with

such stress can be achieved through communication, proper utilization of resources to reduce its

effects on well-being of families. This makes it relevant to establish that all stressors are interrelated

within the system since it is difficult to address the dysfunctional condition of each family member

without addressing the condition of all others.

6: Child Development

the child who grows up watching the parents argue or a child who is pressed and depressed by

relations to parents is made to be pressured, depressed, anxious that the coping mechanisms of this

kid are distressed (The Family Structure & Communication Model, (2011), Repetti et al. , (2011).

Stress also influences cognitive development because it can erode a select focus, storage and

organizing of data, as well as efficient problem solving (Blair & Raver, 2015). When ambient stressors

are chronic long term stress responses that release stress hormones such as cortisol are probable to

influence the learning and the memory part of the brain as indicated by Gunner and Quevedo (2007).

Therefore, likely to foster academic issues, coupled with weak learning capacity and weakness in

management to new station or change of setting in children with chronic stress.

Resilience and Protective Factors

Despite the correlation between family stress and negative effects on children, cases in which the kid

stress-coping have a great implication on the children developmental result; the above mentioned

2006). Stress can be buffered by competent and dependable caregiving and the findings indicate that

environment, maintaining the contingency and stability, positive peer relations (Ungar, 2008).

Engagement on activities that builds up the self-efficacy plus the regulation of affirmative or positive

resources that build up the children’s self-esteem related autonomy competencies also aids in

managing stress optimally by the children (Luthar et. al. , 2000). For example, sports or games provide

hope for combating concertization by providing social relations or learning proper social conduct to

deal with family problems.

protective factors interrelates to increase resilience assists a person in developing services and

programs that would cater to families’ needs and child welfare.

7: Family Functioning

Influence of Stress on Roles and Responsibilities Within the Family Unit

Family stress thus interferes with the normal functioning of the family primarily because it changes

the roles and responsibilities of the family members. Thus, during stressful situations, including

paradigm between the parent figures and child. According to Repetti et al. (2011), when exposed to

high stress individuals may reduce frequency of communication, have increased conflicts or recede

into their shells. Some comments or interactions may be misinterpreted, or conflicts may not be

settled, which will compound the existing stress and weaken the social fabric of the family, among the

family members.

Changes in Communication Patterns and Coping Strategies

Under stress, families are usually able to employ either healthy or pathological ways through which

they can deal with available challenges and maintain stability. Communication skills including

listening, being sensitive to partner feelings and identifying partner’s feelings and needs, are vital in

building Couples’ Bullying-Proofing Resilience (Halford et al. , 2003). When the families are involved in

conflict-solution and those that approve the exchange of constructive words, they are in a good

On the contrary,%B non-adaptive communication patterns due to stress or dysfunctional conflict

Maladaptive coping strategies are thus more of a harmful nature in the short-term as they help to

the family and emotional dysfunction.

Coping Strategies During Stressful Periods

Thus, the use of coping assets during stress episodes in the family is very critical in enhancing the

resilience capacity of such families. The families can learn positive modes of coping hence the need

for problem solving skills, time management and stress management (Skinner et al. , 2003). For

example, normal exercises, yoga, or calming exercises have proven to be useful for people as well as

to deal with such stresses.

Importance of Support Systems

The extent of the supportive framework and other resources is the capacity that defines whether a

family will be able to stand for anything that comes its way. Family support, social services and

informative sessions should be used in order to address the identified stressors and improve the

functioning of the families’ relationships (Walsh, 2016). Other social support may also found at peers

support groups or chatters rooms where opportunity to relate and get new perspective of certain

situation and possibly support during stressful time may be provided.

Conclusion

This is why it is important to understand how bad stress is in the functioning of the family and it’s

building up a resilient family that can produce positive in the midst of grievances.

8: Effective Coping Mechanisms

Strategies Families Can Employ to Mitigate Stress

The familes struggling with stress can find the following strategies effective for enhancing the levels of

resilience and protective factors. The first identified coping strategy is getting professional therapy or

counselling if need be. Family therapy entails an environment within which problems can be