The nuclear family consists of a father, mother, and two children. Named Bill and 37 years old, the father is a heavy smoker and an alcoholic with reported physical abuse towards the wife (See genogram below). The wife, Sally, is obese, has hypertension, has a history of PTSD, and is currently seven months pregnant. Both children, Aaron (4), and Nathan (3) have asthma, and the youngest also suffers delays in development. The family assessment below reveals troubling details about the family.
Part of Genogram (Nuclear Family)
Identifying Data
Identifying data from the above is that the family consists of Bill, Sally, Aaron, and Nathan . The type of family is nuclear . The family’s ethnic background is Caucasian, and they have no affiliation to any religion. Moreover, they are at the lower/poor social class, and none of them is employed. The family also has no leisure activities.
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Developmental Stage and History of Family
Other than identifying data, exploring the developmental stage and history of the family is also essential. Accordingly, the family fits into the family life -cycle stage of a family with preschoolers: They have two children each below 5, and are expecting a third child. Both parents are also from nuclear-family origins.
Environmental Data
Environmental data reveals that this family lives in poor conditions. Specifically, they rent a simple three bedroom house in poor conditions that is located in a high-crime area. Moreover, they survive on food stamps, the father’s disability claim, and the two children’s welfare. They also stay far from the nearest hospital, and their only means of transport is the public bus.
Family Structure
The family structure further shows the presence of a dominating member of the family over others. Bill is the major decision maker in the family, and Sally is reported to be a passive participant. The situation seems to contribute to other problems including physical abuse: Bill has been previously charged with domestic violence.
Family Functions
Other than the above, the family lacks a caring relationship as there is no evidence of reciprocating loving emotions. Each appears to be coping with their own struggles differently to the extent of not effectively following up on the health of the children. Still, the lack of physical abuse towards the children in spite of reported domestic violence indicates that the parents appreciate their parenting role, nonetheless. However, it is not only the affective function lacking, but also the socialization function: The parents are passively involved in the rearing of their children and no evidence of communication between them on parenting skills is evident. The healthcare function is also neglected, greatly contributed to by poverty: The children have not been to the doctor recently due to the long distance.
Family Stress and Coping
While there is no physical violence reported against the children, they have been neglected; as their health is not well taken care of, and the parents are reported to have poor parenting skills. The parents also have poor coping skills: Bill drinks and smokes daily in spite of their poor financial position. The parents also have reports of physical abuse between them, indicating poor approaches to problem-solving. Nonetheless, the parent’s main stressor is the inability to effectively meet their daily financial needs as this is quickly highlighted as a problem above all the others (See ecomap).
Family Composition
The father is the main authoritative figure in the home, as the wife is a passive participant in decision-making. The children are below 5, thus adhere to the rules and direction of the parents.
Key Points of Therapeutic Conversation
Therapeutic communication is important as a face to face mean of interaction through which the caregiver can help advance the emotional or physical wellbeing of a patient (NCCHC, 2019). The process entails the development of trust as well as the maintenance of honest interest in the case an expression of empathy. Trust is important in that it will aid the family make better informed decisions. Sally, for instance, needs to trust that the process is for the best interests of her family. Genuine interest, on the other hand, also positively impact on the recipient of care, and help the provider gather sufficient information to aid them (Arnold & Boggs, 2015). Such can be obtained in the formulation of essential questions to learn more about the family during assessments. Finally, empathy entails appreciating the feelings of the receiver of care and effectively communicating them back. Active listening, sharing, summarizing, and touch are some of the means through which this can be achieved.
Key Questions for Additional Information
From the assessment above and consideration of key points for therapeutic conversation, it is essential to determine further information for the case. In order to determine information that will further aid in helping the family, one should consider questions revolving around the family structure and family structure. For, instance, it would be important to ask what the role structure and values of the family are. It would further be important to determine if words of affection are ever used in the family.
References
Arnold, E. C., & Boggs, K. U. (2015). Interpersonal relationships: Professional communication
skills for nurses . Elsevier Health Sciences.
CARLSON, C. I. (2018). Assessing the family context. Handbook of Psychological and
Educational Assessment of Children, 2/e: Personality, Behavior, and Context .
NCCHC. (2019). Therapeutic Communication and Behavioral Management. Retrieved from
https://www.ncchc.org/cnp-therapeutic-communication
