Family Stress Adaptation Theory Paper
Theories are designed to explain, clarify, predict and understand phenomena, which in many cases, it will also encounter and prolong existing awareness and data within the boundaries of critical bounding assumptions. My theoretical framework will be used as the structure which will embrace or support my chosen theories. I will also present and define the theory that explains why the research problem exists. (Grunert, n.d.) Family Stress Adaptation will clearly state and justify my relations and associations between the state law and federal bill regarding Maternity and Parental Leave.
Family Stress Adaptation Theory is a developmental theory borrowed from family science which explores why some family systems adapt and even grow and thrive when
faced with situational stressors or transitional events, while other family units deteriorate and disintegrate under similar circumstances. Though the term reflects back to many psychologists, the family stress model, named Hill’s ABCX model, which classifies major contributors to family stress, defenses against stress, and sources that cause family crisis. While many psychologists after Hill have come along and added to his theory or presented fresh theories of family stress adaptation, Hill's remains the best known example. Hill predicted that major traumatic events interrupts and dislocates a family balance and stability. Comparable to any organism, the family pursues to re-establish steadiness by using coping mechanism to handle the stress. Stressors cited by Hill and other scholars since Hill include abrupt economic hardship, divorce, physical abuse of children or spouses, illness, substance abuse and relapse, accidents and a host of other rapid onset events. (Family Crisis, n.d.)
As stated earlier, Hill predicted major traumatic events, which interrupts family balance and stability. In relation to my topic, the traumatic event would not be the news of a newborn but more of what sacrifices will need to be made in preparation for the new addition. If benefits are not offered for both parents, a stressor will occur; fortunately, the news of a new baby is a normal stressor; the stressor that happens to people every day and is experienced from time to time. Agents in society will help prepare anyone for any event, yet the most useful and informative agent lives within the family.
As stressors prevail, uncertainty and tension may result from childcare, bills, items for the child, health expenses (for themselves and the unborn child), availability of their position upon returning back to work, and a host of other stressors which will all play a role eventually. There are positive and negative coping mechanisms on how individuals respond to certain situations. Some positive examples would be to embrace and try to reconstruct the situation for a better outcome. Once receiving the news (whether it was planned or not), the expectant parent(s) start to make the necessary actions including saving for the future, looking into health insurance on what they may qualify for, etc.; these can all be some positive examples of coping mechanisms, which is when the individual or family tries to recreate their steadiness through the stressor. Some examples of negative coping mechanisms also referred to as maladaptation is denying the problem exists, hiding the issues, avoiding the discussion, abusing substances, escaping away by television or shopping, and many more.
In applying Maternity and Parental Leave to Hill’s ABCX model the following would apply: A) Event (Becoming pregnant, or adopting), B) Family Resources (Childcare within the family such as grandparents or siblings, Support the expectant parent(s) whether it is mentally, physically, or financially, etc. C) Family Perception (Families find that surviving and overcoming a crisis makes their bond stronger and more resilient due to realization talents and abilities unseen before. X) Crisis (Parents(s) not granted Maternity/Parental Leave causing short and long term effects)
Family Stress Adaptation Theory is a developmental theory borrowed from family science which explores why some family systems adapt and even grow and thrive when
faced with situational stressors or transitional events, while other family units deteriorate and disintegrate under similar circumstances. Though the term reflects back to many psychologists, the family stress model, named Hill’s ABCX model, which classifies major contributors to family stress, defenses against stress, and sources that cause family crisis. While many psychologists after Hill have come along and added to his theory or presented fresh theories of family stress adaptation, Hill's remains the best known example. Hill predicted that major traumatic events interrupts and dislocates a family balance and stability. Comparable to any organism, the family pursues to re-establish steadiness by using coping mechanism to handle the stress. Stressors cited by Hill and other scholars since Hill include abrupt economic hardship, divorce, physical abuse of children or spouses, illness, substance abuse and relapse, accidents and a host of other rapid onset events. (Family Crisis, n.d.)
As stated earlier, Hill predicted major traumatic events, which interrupts family balance and stability. In relation to my topic, the traumatic event would not be the news of a newborn but more of what sacrifices will need to be made in preparation for the new addition. If benefits are not offered for both parents, a stressor will occur; fortunately, the news of a new baby is a normal stressor; the stressor that happens to people every day and is experienced from time to time. Agents in society will help prepare anyone for any event, yet the most useful and informative agent lives within the family.
As stressors prevail, uncertainty and tension may result from childcare, bills, items for the child, health expenses (for themselves and the unborn child), availability of their position upon returning back to work, and a host of other stressors which will all play a role eventually. There are positive and negative coping mechanisms on how individuals respond to certain situations. Some positive examples would be to embrace and try to reconstruct the situation for a better outcome. Once receiving the news (whether it was planned or not), the expectant parent(s) start to make the necessary actions including saving for the future, looking into health insurance on what they may qualify for, etc.; these can all be some positive examples of coping mechanisms, which is when the individual or family tries to recreate their steadiness through the stressor. Some examples of negative coping mechanisms also referred to as maladaptation is denying the problem exists, hiding the issues, avoiding the discussion, abusing substances, escaping away by television or shopping, and many more.
In applying Maternity and Parental Leave to Hill’s ABCX model the following would apply: A) Event (Becoming pregnant, or adopting), B) Family Resources (Childcare within the family such as grandparents or siblings, Support the expectant parent(s) whether it is mentally, physically, or financially, etc. C) Family Perception (Families find that surviving and overcoming a crisis makes their bond stronger and more resilient due to realization talents and abilities unseen before. X) Crisis (Parents(s) not granted Maternity/Parental Leave causing short and long term effects)