Based on the Family Systems Stressor-Strength Inventory, or FS3I, the Smith family is relatively stressed with a score of forty-two. However, given the children are in an adjustment period, and are unable to carry on with regular activities, and the parents are unable to reassure them affirmatively about their mother’s health, the family is doing well concerning present stressors . What is stressing the family most is lack of achievement, primarily based on Mr. Smith’s emotions, and lack of family communication. They are no longer speaking to one another openly about their feelings, and Mr. Smith revealed that he feels if he had accomplished more, the children could carry on with their activities, and his wife could continue seeking medical help, which he feels would solve his family’s problems. The entire family believes, however, they will get through this situation because they stated they have had positive coping skills as a family in the past, which is a positive attribute .
Concerning strengths, when a family member does speak, they always listen to one another, according to the FS3I. Moreover, they trust one another and have respect for one another. Even the siblings attempt to affirm this respect and support each other and their parents, which is useful in a time of crisis. They do not, however, display shared responsibility. It appears Mr. Smith places it all on himself and his eldest son, wanting his wife to rest, and his to youngest children to by children. Overall family scores were high, as well, as they respect one another’s leisure time, rate the strengths of one another as high, and even eat dinner together as often as possible. Naturally, they do not seek help often from one another during this difficult time, which will likely prove to make things harder on the family than it may have needed to be.
Certified health issues regarding Mrs. Smith have yet to be determined. Concerning the entire family, a lack of communication during difficult circumstances can become an issue . For example, the Smith parents waited three months to tell their children Mrs. Smith was seeking medical attention for an unknown illness that was causing her pain and suffering. By this time, they were forced to tell their children because they had spent much of their savings on expensive tests that were not covered by the family’s insurance. Consequently, when they told the Smith children there may be something wrong with their mother, and they did not know what, they also revealed the children would have to sacrifice things they had grown up enjoying. To the children it felt like a betrayal of trust, and the ties between the family were weakened because the parents had not been open and honest in their communication as the children has been used to all of their lives. Communication began to worsen between family members as time went on, though Mr. and Mrs. Smith do not seem to understand why, and blame it on stress. It seems evident, however, that poor communication and trust is becoming an issue, rather than stress, and the children would have been more at ease in an open and honest environment.
We can assume after observing the Smith household the family relationship and family development is reliant on the atmosphere it is in and, consequently, will change based on how members are treated. Mrs. Smith is ill, to no fault of her own. However, the children were lied to by omission, and essentially punished for not guessing about their mother’s health before being given the information, only to have privileges “revoked.” The feeling can seem like a betrayal after growing up in a home that values communication from all members. Mr. and Mrs. Smith supported their children and now wonder why they are lacking the usual support in return from their children during this difficult time. It is likely because the children felt lied to, betrayed, or are wondering if their parents have kept anything else from them during this already stressful time.
References
Maurer, F. A., & Smith, C. A. (2014). Community/Public Health Nursing Practice: Health for Families and Populations. Boston: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Padgett, D. R., Steele, R., Tabacco, A., & Harmon-Hanson, S. (2014). Family Health Care Nursing: Theory, Practice, and Research. Sacramento: F.A. Davis.
Smith, M., & Liehr, J. (2013). Middle Range Theory for Nursing. Chicago: Springer Publishing Company.
