Family & Self: Developmental Issues and Health

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering family dynamics, theoretical models of family and individual development, assessment tools (Genogram, Ecomap, APGAR, SCREEM), emotional intelligence, and self-concept theories.

Family Structure

The demographic and compositional makeup of a family unit, encompassing the number of members, their age and gender, relationships among members, patterns of interaction, and interactions with society.

Six Basic Family Functions

The core responsibilities fulfilled by the family unit: physical sustenance, socialization, reproductive functions, economic support, affective nurturance, and health promotion and self-care.

Expected Family Transitions

Anticipated developmental events and changes over time, including the birth or addition of a child, children moving through developmental stages, launching children, aging parents, and retirement.

Unexpected Family Events

Unanticipated crises that disrupt the family system, such as job loss, divorce, acute health crises, death of a family member, and domestic violence or addiction.

Family Systems Theory

A nursing and family framework viewing the family as an interconnected unit where a change in any single member impacts all other members; nursing aims to maintain and support unit stability.

Family Life Cycle Theory

A theoretical model proposing that families progress through predictable phases over time, each presenting specific tasks, developmental transitions, and vulnerabilities to stress or crisis.

Bioecological Systems Theory

A theory positing that human development is shaped by the reciprocal interactions between biological attributes and social environments across individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels.

Genogram

A visual assessment tool charting multi-generational family structure, relationship dynamics, medical conditions, major timeline milestones, and behavioral patterns such as conflict, divorce, or substance abuse.

Ecomap

A graphic assessment diagram placing the individual or family at the center to illustrate the strength, nature, and flow of energy among external community systems and social support networks.

Family APGAR

A 5-parameter screening instrument assessing family functioning and resilience based on: Adaptation, Partnership, Growth, Affection, and Resolve.

SCREEM

An ongoing assessment framework used to evaluate family resources and vulnerabilities during chronic or terminal illness across six domains: Social, Cultural, Religious, Economic, Educational, and Medical.

Five Phases of a Family Home Visit

The sequential stages of conducting a community home visit: Initiation (clarifying referral/reason), Pre-visit (contacting family/reviewing records), In-Home (relationship building/nursing process), Termination (reviewing visit/planning next steps), and Post-visit (documentation/arranging follow-up).

Sandwich Generation

A cohort of adults who simultaneously provide care, financial support, and emotional guidance 'up' to aging parents and 'down' to growing children or grandchildren.

Self-Concept

An evolving, lifelong cognitive appraisal of oneself, encompassing beliefs, values, preferences, opinions, attitudes, personal abilities, personality traits, social roles, and group memberships.

Rogers' Three Parts of Self-Concept

Carl Rogers' humanistic model consisting of Self-Image (how a person perceives and understands themselves), Self-Esteem (how one judges and values oneself), and the Ideal Self (who one desires to be).

Congruence vs. Incongruence

In Rogers' theory: Congruence is substantial overlap where the perceived self aligns with the ideal self, fostering self-acceptance; Incongruence is little to no overlap between perceived self and ideal self, yielding psychological distress.

Self-Awareness

An emotional intelligence component characterized by the conscious recognition of one's own emotions, personal strengths, weaknesses, limitations, and the impact of one's behavior on others.

Self-Regulation

An emotional intelligence ability involving the intentional management of emotional states, impulse control, and thinking critically prior to acting.

Motivation

An emotional intelligence component marked by internal persistence, initiative, and drive toward achieving meaningful goals.

Empathy

An emotional intelligence domain centered on recognizing, understanding, and appreciating the feelings, perspectives, and emotional needs of other people.

Social Skill

An emotional intelligence competency focused on managing interpersonal relationships effectively, establishing rapport, navigating networks, and identifying common ground.

Self-Efficacy

An individual's subjective confidence in their ability to perform specific actions or overcome obstacles to achieve a desired outcome; promotes persistence and task mastery.

Role Performance

A person's perception of their adequacy in fulfilling societal and familial expectations tied to specific positions (e.g., employee, parent, caregiver); alterations can profoundly shift self-concept.

Identity Achievement

James Marcia's identity status where an individual has thoroughly explored viable identity alternatives and resolved their search with firm personal commitments.

Moratorium

James Marcia's identity status where an individual is in an active crisis of exploration, considering various values and career paths, but has not yet formed definite commitments.

Foreclosure

James Marcia's identity status where an individual commits to an identity or life direction handed down by parents or authority figures without personal exploration or questioning.

Identity Diffusion

James Marcia's identity status characterized by the absence of both active exploration and meaningful life commitments, often manifesting as aimlessness.

Four Core Areas of Self-Concept Assessment

The key domains evaluated by nurses when assessing a client's self-concept: personal identity, body image, self-esteem, and role performance.