Transcript Chapter 16 Stress and crisis in relationships

Chapter 16
Stress and Crisis in Relationships
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Personal Stress and Crisis Events
A Family Stress Model
Stress Management Strategies
Five Family Crises
Marriage and Family Therapy
Crisis Events
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External: hurricane, tornado, downsizing,
military separation.
Internal: alcoholism, infidelity, Alzheimer’s
disease.
Personal: illness.
Interpersonal: spouse has affair.
Crisis Events
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Structural: in-laws move in.
Expected: death of older relative or parent.
Unexpected: HIV, miscarriage.
Family Stress Theory
ABC-X model
 A = stressor event
 B = coping skills
 C = family’s perception of the event
 X = outcome of the adaptation to the event
Stress Management Strategies
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Develop realistic perspective.
Avoid blame.
Seek opportunities for fun.
Keep destructive impulses in check.
Five Family Crises
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Physical illness and disability
Infidelity
Unemployment
Drug abuse
Death
Reasons for Extramarital Affairs
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Varity, novelty and excitement
Workplace friendships
Relationship dissatisfaction
Revenge
Homosexual relationships
Absence from partner
Marriage Therapy Is Needed…
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Feeling distant with partner
Not being able or wanting to communicate
Avoiding each other
Drinking/drugs
Contemplating separation
Involvement in an affair
Suicide Warning Signs
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Verbal - direct statements about suicide, subtle
hints indicating suicide.
Behavioral -depressed, crying, prior attempts,
giving away possessions.
Situational - loss of relationship, trouble with
the law or at school, being disliked by peers.