Module L: Family Theory & Communication

Family as a System

• includes family members, relationships, communications, & interactions w/ environment

Family Systems/Natural Systems Theory

• Provides a way of understanding behavior of a person in a family and of the family itself

• one member acts = action affects all others

• there is an interdependency

• equilibrium dependent on balance of roles & reciprocation

Family Systems/Natural Systems Theory: Application to Nursing

• provides a means of understanding both individual & family behaviors & how they are interconnected

• nurse is neutral to gain a clear understanding of how family function is affected by stressful events

• nurse encourages pts to be less driven by emotion & more directed by reason

Family Structure

• provides for members’ basic needs

• should be a clear delineation of roles

Roles

• should be defined & include family member responsibilities

• who does what, when, where, & how

Differentiation: Degree of Individuality

• parents should be well differentiated

• family should promote & encourage individual autonomy & growth

Boundaries

• should be clearly delineated between members & subsystems

• should be flexible and adaptable to change

Emotional/Affective Responsiveness

• genuine warmth & affection should be expressed between subsystems

• EX: parent-parent

  • parent-child

  • sibling-sibling

Communication in Families

• occurs on both verbal & nonverbal levels

• helps to define relationships within the system

Communication Patterns

• essential part of family functioning & health

• family health is dependent on creating a system to allow the family to function

• the system for functioning is set through communication patterns

Communication within a Family Should Be

• spontaneous

• congruent

• clear

• direct

• honest

• resolve problems/conflict

Listening

• often considered most important aspect of communication

• active listening is vital to hearing & be heard in the family

• for active listening, judgment should be suspended & the listener/family member should use empathy to try to understand the person’s experience/POV

Family Strength/Communication

• strong families communicate easily & well-frequently, openly. clearly, & directly

  • do a good deal of sharing of themselves, their feelings, hopes, dreams, fears, & needs