NRS 429V Discussion Family Structures Prevalent
NRS 429 V Discussion Family Structures Prevalent
The definition of family that encompasses different family structures that are prevalent today would be a combination of family of origin, nuclear family, single-parent family, blended family, and family of choice (Grand Canyon University, 2018). I think that family is the people who are there for you throughout your life to support you in your decisions and lifestyle, so whoever those people are for any given person I would consider them to be their family. There is an importance of acknowledging nontraditional family structures because what one person would picture as a “family” is not what another person would picture as a “family” and it is important to be inclusive of all the different forms of family there are in the modern world. It is also important for nurses to acknowledge nontraditional family structures because nurse need to incorporate families into the care that they provide for their patients (Wright, Leahey, 2013). Family systems theory can be used to better understand the interactions of a modern family because each family member affects the rest of the family members (Grand Canyon University, 2018). No one individual has experiences alone, because each individual has experiences within their family group. Furthermore, one change to one individual in the family could potentially create a change to another member of the family simply because they are one family unit (Grand Canyon University, 2018). Habits of one family member may rub off on another family member. Being aware of the family systems theory may help the nurse to better understand the dynamic between individuals within families.
Sources
Grand Canyon University (Ed). (2018). Health promotion: Health & wellness across the continuum. Retrieved from https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs429vn/health-promotion-health-and-wellness-across-the-continuum/v1.1/
Wright, L. M., Leahey, M. (2013). Nurses and families: A guide to family assessment and intervention. F.A. Davis Company.
Description:
What is a definition of family that encompasses the different family structures prevalent today? Discuss the importance of acknowledging nontraditional family structures. Explain how family systems theory can be used to better understand the interactions of a modern family (traditional or nontraditional).
Morgan
In today’s world, family is defined by the term “family of choice,” according to Sue Green (2018). Green (2018) describes family of choice as, “people chosen by an individual to care, love, and trust rather than the family of origin,” as well as “people who are together out of friendship and love, not bloodlines.” Animals are also considered members of the family in the present-day. The people patients refer to as “family,” bloodline or not, are the ones who are going to support and care for the patient the most. It is imperative that nurses assess and identify family dynamics early on, so that they can promote family health, thereby improving the patients’ overall health. Green (2018) mentions that, “the health of the family influences the health of the individual.” As nurses familiarize themselves with the various family structures out there, it will allow them to better care for and serve the patients’ needs and desires.
The family system’s theory is a “classic approach to studying family processes and problems” (Green, 2018). According to Katherine Rosenbusch (2010), family systems are “considered open systems in that the individual members and the unit can be influenced by internal and external environments,” and are “adaptive because they meet the demands of the changes that impact the group.” For example, a father of a family—who is the primary provider—has a heart attack and is hospitalized for a long time, this adds stress to and can drastically affect the family dynamics. To me, I consider the family system’s theory to be somewhat of a “domino effect” because when one thing happens something else follows suit.
References
Green, S. (2018). Understanding Families and Health Promotion. CCC Web Books by AWS & CDD. https://lc.gcumedia.com/nrs429vn/health-promotion-health-and-wellness-across-the-continuum/v1.1/
Rosenbusch, K. (2010). Cross -cultural adjustment process of expatriate families in a multinational organization: A family system theory perspective. https://search.proquest.com/openview/66dbad586fca9c3d6bf3a3fa39cb7f59/1.pdf?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&diss=y
Response
This is an insightful response Morgan. I concur with your post. The structure of families is consistently changing and diversifying. Health is associated with multifactorial causation and the family can affect health of a person in numerous ways. Therefore, the changing dynamic of family structure can greatly influence risk and protective factors that impacts health (Kaakinen et al., 2018). Family members are likely to share risk factor health that may emanate from several socio characteristics of their communal society, neighborhood, culture, community, and housing. Family members also share positive aspects that promote good health. Family is also exposed to the same health-related lifestyle and dietary behaviors. Moreover, the family also share financial resources in managing poor-health and health care cost including the protection enjoyed by the availability of financial resources in relation to health issues. As such, it is imperative for health care system to consider the changing the dynamics of families and recognize them in patient health care delivery to improve outcomes.
References
Kaakinen, J. R., Coehlo, D. P., Steele, R., & Robinson, M. (2018). Family health care nursing: Theory, practice, and research. FA Davis.