Characteristics of communication within family subsystems
Characteristics of communication within family subsystems
Extent of emotional (affective) messages and how expressed Characteristics of
communication within family subsystems Extent of congruent and incongruent messages
Types of dysfunctional communication processes seen in family Areas of open and
closed communication
Familial and contextual variables affecting communication
19. Power structure Power outcomes
Decision-making process
Power bases
Variables affecting family power
Overall family system and subsystem power (Family power continuum placement)
20. Role structure
Formal role structure
Informal role structure
Analysis of role models (optional) Variables affecting role structure
21. Family values
Compare the family to American or family’s reference group values and/or identify
important family values and their importance (priority) in family.
Congruence between the family’s values and the family’s reference group or wider
community
Congruence between the family’s values and family member’s values Variables
influencing family values
Values consciously or unconsciously held
Presence of value conflicts in family
Effect of the above values and value conflicts on health status of family
Family Functions
22. Affective function
Family’s need–response patterns
Mutual nurturance, closeness, and identification Separateness and connectedness
23. Socialization function
Family child-rearing practices
Adaptability of child-rearing practices for family form and family’s situation
Who is (are) socializing agent(s) for child(ren)?
Value of children in family
Cultural beliefs that influence family’s child-rearing patterns
Social class influence on child-rearing patterns
Estimation about whether family is at risk for child-rearing problems and if so, indication
of high risk factors
Adequacy of home environment for children’s need to play
24. Health care function
Family’s health beliefs, values, and behavior
Family’s definitions of health–illness and their level of knowledge Family’s perceived
health status and illness susceptibility
Family’s dietary practices
Adequacy of family diet (recommended 3-day food history record) Function of mealtimes
and attitudes toward food and mealtimes Shopping (and its planning) practices
Person(s) responsible for planning, shopping, and preparation of meals Sleep and rest
habits
Physical activity and recreation practices (not covered earlier)
Family’s drug habits
Family’s role in self-care practices
Medically based preventive measures (physicals, eye and hearing
tests, and immunizations)
Dental health practices
Family health history (both general and specific diseases— environmentally and
genetically related)
Health care services received
Feelings and perceptions regarding health services
Emergency health services
Source of payments for health and other services
Logistics of receiving care
Family Stress and Coping
25. Short- and long-term familial stressors and strengths
26. Extent of family’s ability to respond, based on objective
appraisal of stress-producing situations
Coping strategies utilized (present/past)
Differences in family members’ ways of coping Family’s inner coping strategies
Family’s external coping strategies
Dysfunctional adaptive strategies utilized (present/past; extent of usage)
Name (last, first)
1. (Father)
2. (Mother)
3. (Oldest child)
4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
Friedman, M. M., Bowden, V. R., & Jones, E. G. (2003). Family nursing: Research,
theory and practice (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall/Pearson Education.
Structure & Function—Family Theory/Friedman (2003):
STRUCTURE: Refers to how family is organized, and how they relate to each other & to the whole. Four interactive & interrelated dimensions:
1. Role systems
2. Value Systems
3. Communication networks
4. Power Structure
FUNCTION: Refers to how families go about meeting needs of individuals and broader society. Family functions are what a family does. Five family function dimensions:
1. Affective
2. Socialization
3. Reproductive
4. Health care
5. Economic
Additionally…. How a family deals with stress, coping, adaptation, and SPIRITUALITY are all important in our assessments of families.
