Family Assessment

Family assessment

This paper will discuss the Universal Self-Care Requisites, Developmental Self-Care Requisites, and Health Deviation Self-Care Requisites of assessed family according to Orem's Self-Care deficit theory.

Family Profile

This large family consists of eighteen children ages four to seventeen. The father (initials F.B.) is approximately forty years old. He is an Admiral in the United States Coast Guard. The mother (H.W.) is approximately forty years old. She is a self employed as a fashion designer. This is a second marriage for both after their respective spouses died. He brings to the marriage eight children. She brings ten; four of these are her biological children. Six are adopted and are of various ethnic backgrounds including African American, Indian and Asian. The children have vastly different interests. The family also has a nanny and a variety of pets. The primary language spoken is English. The children have a multitude of hobbies including boating, music, art and cheerleading. One problem with this family is trying to find a common hobby that all would be interested in participating. Currently this family is not experiencing any health related problems.

Family function

Historically families functioned for the purpose of financial survival, educating and socializing their young, passing along religion and culture, reproduce the species and provide protection from hostile forces, (Kaakinen, Hanson, Birenbaum, n.d.). Over time many of these functions have been delegated to sources outside of the family unit. For example education and socialization is now the role of schools. Churches teach religion, police and fire offer protection. Today the term family health is used interchangeably with family function, (Kaakinen, Hanson, Birenbaum, n.d.). Family assessment today looks at the "psychosocial, spiritual and culture of the family. The biopsychosociocultural-spiritual approach refers to individual members as well as the family unit as a whole entity and the family within the community context", (Kaakinen, Hanson, Birenbaum, n.d. pg 572). Families that have the ability to find solutions to adversity are considered resilient. Some brief characteristics of a health family include: good communication and the ability to listen, support of all family members, respect, trust, shared responsibility, shared traditions and rituals, (Kaakinen, Hanson, Birenbaum, n.d.). The blended F.B, H.W. family demonstrated difficulties with communication and coping. F.B. family was used to being given orders and followed them without questions. H.W. family was used to more open communication and the ability to freely express their feelings. All family members showed signs of stress in trying to get used to organization verses chaos. Financially there were no major problems as both parents worked and were able to support their respective children. One of the biggest problems this family faced was finding a large enough place to live. They moved into a huge, old lighthouse that needed major remodeling. The children, who had very different interests and tastes were now having to share their bedrooms with someone quiet the opposite. The family resorted to strict schedules for bathroom time.

Environmental Characteristics

This family recently moved into a large, converted lighthouse that needed a complete remodel. The children were assigned bedrooms based on gender and age. The bathroom facilities were limited so scheduled times were posted. Hazards include possible lead based paint and general decay of the home. There is little opportunity for quiet, private space with a family this large. The home is in a secluded area. The school district has arranged for a small bus just to pick up these kids.

Associations of the Family with the Community

"The Ecomap form is a visual diagram of the family unit in relation to other units or subsystems in the community", (Kaakinen, Hanson, Birenbaum, n.d. pg 586). This tool is used to help determine where the family is today in relationship to their community but also to show areas the family can access in the future. The model is a large circle representing the family. Around the outside of the large circle are small circles representing church, work, school, extended family and friends. The strength and nature of how the family interacts with these outside forces is demonstrated using different connecting lines. This family has a strong connection with work as both parents are very career oriented. Dad especially is up for a promotion. The connection with school would be tenuous and stressful for the F.B. kids as this is a new school for them. The H.W. children have been attending this school and well established. The other kids in the school are harassing the younger kids because they are from such a large family. F.B. eldest son is running for class president and his eldest daughter is in cheerleading. The line to friends is strong for the adults as they both have ties to the community from their youth. The kids however are just forming friendships. There is no extended family and they do not attend regular church services.

Family Form

This is the second marriage for this dual-career. They have a blended multiracial family with eighteen children. Some of the children are adopted.

Family Structure

This is a complex family system in which both spouses bring children from their previous marriages into the current union. The roles of each person in the individual family units prior to the merging of the two families appeared to be clear and well defined.

F.B. has an authoritative approach to parenting which involves set rules and limits requiring absolute obedience. The children in this family unit comply willingly with the rules, communicate well with one another, and show respect and cooperation in performing daily routines. There is a high degree of structure and orderliness in every aspect of this household. Education and hard work are highly valued and each family member strives to succeed in whatever endeavor they pursue whether it be sports or running for class President. Group identification is valued over individuality. Religion is not practiced. The family unit as a whole seems satisfied with their respective roles.

H.W. has a combination democratic-permissive approach to parenting, which involves encouraging, and allowing each individual family member equal opportunity to participate in decision making and other family interactions. Individuality is encouraged and each person is valued for his or her unique personality. Differences