I. Today we discuss Family Crises of various kinds which comes down to the management of normally stressful events in our lives, as well as very disturbing kinds of dysfunctions.

First of all, there is a saying: "If it ain't broke - Don't fix it!"
Most Families live long and relatively happy lives without suffering
series of extremely disturbing events.

However, there is another saying: "Bad things happen to Good people all the time!"
Sadness and disappointment are as much a part of life as happiness and getting our way about things.

Stress = tension resulting from depleted family resources - an imbalance that must be corrected.

Stressors = those life events or changes that are so serious or drastic that they require changes in the family system EX: Death of a spouse, financial crisis, unemployment.

Distress = extreme psychological pressure resulting from facing repugnant / unenjoyable challenges.

Eustress = extreme psychological pressure resulting from facing enjoyable / beneficial challenges

Imagine how stress you are going to be when you finish college and head out to the professional job market with your brand new B.A. in your hand. People are expecting things from you.
The Pressure is on, baby!
Maybe you are also planning to solidify that romance you've been having into a marriage, so there's the wedding and all that!
And you find that your mother is being difficult over your dad's insistence on wearing bermuda shorts to the reception!

That's one kind of pressure build-up - nothing bad, just things.

Now imagine that your father is diagnosed with a serious medical condition, your brother is in jail on a drug charge, your little sister is planning on running away from home, and you find out your fiancé is seeing someone else.

It all depends on your family system.

Daily Events (A) are Critical (X) if they are perceived to:

1. create a hardship greater than family resources can manage

2. are perceived by the family as critical

As events unfold, the family constantly monitors its ability to cope with its resources. If events move beyond the family's ability to cope, a crisis results.

Generalizations about Family Behavior in Crises:

• - Adversity may increase family solidarity
• - Flexibility in shifting roles can strengthen individual family members and the family as a group.
• - Quick adjustments to crisis do not allow closure of the problem, or final adjustments (growth)

• 1. Active exploration of the problem.
• 2. Open and free expression of both positive and negative feelings.
• 3. Active seeking for help and advice. 4. Breaking down the problem into manageable parts.
• 5. Maintaining awareness of exhaustion and replenishment.
• 6. Preserving basic trust.

Back to Syllabus