Types and Functionality of Families - Chapter 3

Question 1

Name the 11 types of families:

Answer 1

• nuclear family
• single-parent family
• blended family
• dual career family
• child-free family
• special-needs family
• LGBT family
• Aging family
• Multigenerational family
• Grandparent-headed family
• Military family

Question 2

What are 6 qualities of healthy couples?

Answer 2

Healthy Couples:

• adapt to and promote each other’s individual growth
• work to keep the relationship exciting and flexible
• are able to keep in touch with and express a variety of feelings
• communicate clearly
• are egalitarian
• are mutually supportive

Question 3

According to research, healthy families exhibit what 7 attributes?

Answer 3

• Commitment to the family and its individuals
• Appreciation for each other
• Willingness to spend time together
• Effective communication patterns
• High degree of religious/spiritual orientation
• Ability to deal with crisis in a positive manner
• Encouragement of individuals
• Clear roles

Question 4

What are the 2 types of family stressors?

Answer 4

• Vertical stressors
• Horizontal stressors

Question 5

Describe Vertical stressors.

Answer 5

• stressors that bring past and present issues up reciprocally.
• these stressors are inherited from previous generations.

Question 6

Describe Horizontal stressors.

Answer 6

• stressors of present life
• some are predictable (i.e. life cycle transitions)
• some are unexpected (unexpected death, chronic illness, job loss)

Question 7

List 6 commonly cited developmental/expected stressors:

Answer 7

• economics and finance
• children’s behavior
• insufficient couple time
• communication with children
• insufficient personal time
• insufficient family play time

Question 8

List 3 types of unexpected life stressors a family may face:

Answer 8

• Happenstance
• Physical/psychological trauma
• Success and failure

Question 9

Families in situations where physical/psychological trauma is present, may show what 5 symptoms?

Answer 9

• role reversals
• somatization of experiences
• interruption of normal developmental life cycles
• alienation
• inappropriate attempts at control

Question 10

What are the 3 common types of family organization?

Answer 10

• symmetrical/complementary
• centripetal/centrifugal
• cohesive/adaptable

Question 11

Differentiate between symmetrical and complementary relationships.

Answer 11

symmetrical relationship - each partner is versatile and tries to become competent in doing various tasks.

complementary relationship - family member roles are rigidly defined, differences are maximized.

Question 12

symmetrical and complementary relationships work as long as what 2 requirements are met?

Answer 12

• each member is satisfied and competent in their roles.
• there is sufficient crossover between roles so that tasks are completed.

Question 13

What is a parallel relationship, and why is it useful?

Answer 13

• this type of relationship involves couples modeling elements of both symmetrical and complementary relationships.
• This is useful as it isn’t always possible for each partner to crossover roles, or be satisfied with/competent in their roles.

Question 14

Describe the way that centripetal and centrifugal describe family life:

Answer 14

• throughout life, families ebb and flow, becoming more centripetal (close) in some family life stages (following the birth of a child), and becoming more centrifugal distant) in other stages (during the launching children stage.

Question 15

Define family cohesion

Answer 15

• emotional bonding within the family.

Question 16

Define family adaptability.

Answer 16

• the ability of the family to be flexible and change.

Question 17

List the 4 levels of family cohesion:

Answer 17

1. Disengaged
2. Separated
3. Connected
4. Enmeshed

Question 18

List the 4 levels of family adaptability:

Answer 18

1. Rigid
2. Structured
3. Flexible
4. Chaotic

Question 19

List 11 characteristics of families that cope well with stress:

Answer 19

• Ability to identify the stressor
• Ability to view the situation as a family problem rather than a problem of one member
• Solution-oriented
• Tolerance for other family members
• Clear expression of commitment to and affection for other family members
• Open and clear communication
• Evidence of high family cohesion
• Evidence of high role flexibility
• Appropriate use of resources inside and outside of family
• Lack of physical violence
• Lack of substance abuse

Question 20

How well a family will recover after a crisis depends on:

Answer 20

• The resources available to the family.
• How well the family uses the resources.

Question 21

Differentiate between First-Order Change and Second-Order Change.

Answer 21

• First-order change: superficial, simple changes. (delaying dinner by 2 hours to accommodate mom’s new work schedule)
• Second-order change: introducing new rules/behaviors. The family does something different to address the problem instead of staying locked in ineffective patterns of behavior.