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Developmental and family life cycle theory - Coggle Diagram
Developmental and family life cycle theory
Define the theory and include the goal of the theory and major assumptions.
The developmental and family life cycle theory focuses on family as a whole and the individuals within the family as they move towards different developmental stages.
Normative changes:
predictable changes
Non-normative:
when changes occur out of sequence “off time” or are caused by a different event such as illness
Goal
: To predict when families approach different transition periods/changes in their life so nurses may support them
Concept 1: Families develop and change over time
Family interactions among the members change over time concerning the structure, function (roles), and processes.
Stressors caused by changes in the family are predictable.
Duvall (1977) outlines tasks that traditional families accomplish at each stage of family development. These tasks may be related to social norms individuals experience throughout their development.
Concept 2: Families experience transitions from one stage to another
As families go through transitions between different stages, there may be a shift in the family structure, roles, and interactions.
During these transition points/ changes, family stress will be at its highest.
Families are adapting to maintain stability, redefine their concept of family, and realign relationships.
Describe the focus of the nurses’ practice from this perspective
Family as a system means relationships among family members are affected by changes in individuals and changes in the family as a whole affect the individuals within the family
A nurse practicing FSN focuses on the family as a whole, considering individual needs, family relationships, and connections with healthcare providers, the system, and society to support health and healing.
Nurses support the family in adpting to developmental transitions, addressing stressors, changing roles, and promoting healthy coping mechanisms.
Nurses assess how each family member’s development affects the entire family system and how changes (e.g. a new child, adolescence, aging parents) impact the unit as a whole. It is an approach in which nurses prioritize and support family health (Pusa, Isaksson, & Sundin, 2021)
Accoring to Family Systems Theory (FST),
the family is a complex unit that works together within their environment. Key points include:
1.Families decide who is part of the family.
2.Families try to stay balanced and stable.
3.They need resources to handle changes.
4.Families have their own rules and routines (Robinson, 2022)
Nurses provide care that considers the well-being of the entire family system, recognizing that health issues or life changes in one member can affect the overall family functioning.
Nurses can use FST-based strategies with families to create healthy habits like
:
Adults providing structure for healthy eating and exercise.
Setting rules for eating and exercising at home and elsewhere.
Shifting the focus of communication to health, not weight or size.
Setting and reinforcing health goals.
Family members working together on health goals.
Building on past successes and healthy habits.
7.Adults tackling household barriers to support health changes.
Describe how the theory can assist with nursing interventions.
Helping the family understand individual and family developmental tasks.
Helping the family understand the normalcy of disequilibrium during these transitional periods.
Helping the family mitigate these transitions by building on the strengths of family routines and traditions
E.g., Strong family rituals are predictive of attachment security and family cohesion (Prime et al., 2020), which may decrease anxiety caused by changes in the family dynamic
Conduct a family interview to determine where the family is in terms of cognitive, social, emotional, spiritual, and physical development.
Complete a family genogram and ecomap.
Determine the normative and non-normative events that have occurred to the family as a whole or to individuals within the family
Analyze how an individual’s growth and developmental milestones may affect the family developmental trajectory
Describe how the theory can assist with the nursing assessment of a family
Assessing Family Development and Transitions
•Conduct family interviews to identify life cycle stage.
•Recognize developmental milestones or significant events.
•Anticipate role changes and relationship shifts.
•Identify stress or imbalances from transitions.
Assessment of Family Stressors
• Identify normative stressors (e.g., child starting school).
• Identify non-normative stressors (e.g., unexpected illness)
• Assess impact on family roles and routines.
Identifying Coping Strategies and Family Resilience
• Assess coping mechanisms (flexibility, effective communication).
• Evaluate resilience factors (positive outlook, financial management).
• Consider stage-specific strategies (e.g., raising children)
Assessing Family Process and Affective Function
• Evaluate family interactions and conflict management.
• Observe stress adaptation, boundary protection, emotional harmony
• Assess resource mobilization and response to illness or transitions.
Evaluating Family Dynamics:
•Observe role changes and communication patterns.
•Monitor coping mechanisms during transitions.
•Assess impact of developmental stages on family interactions.
Identify Stengths and Weaknesses of the Theory
Stregnths
Great for working with families on health promotion
Systemic framework for predicting stressors that a family may be experiencing depending on their family life cycle stage
Family nurses can assess families' stage of development and completion of tasks and assess and anticipate potential problems and offer guidance
Weakness
ignores the importance and impact of cultural diversity and health disparities on families
Ignores all types of families besides intact, two parent, heterosexual nuclear families
Does not focus on how families adapt to transitions only predicts when transitions occur