In an unhealthy family, parents are deficient, over controlling, abusive or have substance abuse behavior. Alcoholism is also frequently reported in a dysfunctional family. Dysfunctional family leads to dysfunctional health. The behavior of the members of the family is important in preventing disease and in promoting health. In a family where its members have dysfunctional health, they have behaviors that promote risk for ill health. For example, the maladaptive eating behavior could lead to medical disorders like obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, etc. A multifaceted approach to help the members of the family to adopt, change and maintain a behavior that will help them maintain a healthy body weight. (Edelman, Kulzma, & Mandle, 2014)
Culture and belief system in the family can also influence their choices and thus affect their behavior. By listening to the family, nurses can identify the cultural pattern that underlies their behavior. Culture also influence the attitude of the family members towards health care. For example, vaccination rates are lower in Mexican families when compared to the rest of the U.S population. By working with the family, nurses can help to identify risk causing behavior and other factors that affect development. (Edelman, Kulzma, & Mandle, 2014)
In a healthy family, elders act as role models of ideal health to the younger generation. In a family where there is constant bickering, abuse, tension, and stress, children tend to develop social and cognitive impairment. This, in turn, can influence their health and development. Educational level of the parents was also found to influence the health-seeking behavior of the children. Other family characteristics that affect the health are socio-economic status and housing locality. For example, overcrowding and poorly planned households have poor ventilation and increase the risk of air born infection in its inmates. (Edelman, Kulzma, & Mandle, 2014)
References
Edelman, C., Kulzma, E., & Mandle, L. (2014). Health promotion throughout the life span (8th ed.). Missouri: Elseiver.
