Understanding Family Systems: Structure, Communication, and Crisis Management
Family System: Core Concepts
- Total: Members form a whole.
- Not Join: Each member has unique characteristics.
- Circular: A change in one member affects all others.
- Homeostasis: The family maintains interaction patterns.
- Equifinality: Forces drive growth and development.
Analysis of Family System Elements
Internal Structure
- Systems and subsystems
- Boundaries between subsystems (fuzzy, defined, rigid)
System Interaction
- Sequences of interaction
- Systemic rules (recognized, implicit, secret, meta)
Communication Patterns
- Types: Verbal (content) and non-verbal (relational)
- Consistency between levels is crucial
- Pathological Types:
- Double bind
- Symmetric escalation
- Rigid complementarity
- Levels:
- Informational
- Rational
- Emotional
System Flexibility
Ability to adapt to change and crisis (situational or vital).
Developmental Stages (Hill)
- Couple formation
- Families with young children (preschool, school-age, teenagers)
- Family as launching center
- Empty nest
- Retirement
Healthy Family Characteristics
- Positive interaction
- Clear boundaries
- Open communication with community
- Autonomy and individuality
- Effective communication with empathy
- Flexible adaptation
- Healthy lifestyle
Nursing Assessment Aspects
- Family’s understanding of the situation
- Ability to help the family system
- Communication patterns (internal and external)
- Problem-solving abilities
- Support systems
Illness as a Family Crisis: ABCX Model (Hill)
- A: The event
- B: Family’s definition of the event
- C: Resources to cope
- X: Crisis outcome
Vulnerability Factors
- Illness type and perception
- Family structure and dynamics
- Existing stressors
- Coping abilities
- Support sources
Crisis Evolution Stages
- Disorganization Phase: Emotional impact, denial, anxiety, potential risk of deepening disorganization.
- Recovery Phase: Decision-making, information seeking, acceptance.
- Reorganization Phase: Consolidation or new organization, role redistribution (especially in chronic illness).