FAMILY STRENGTHSCONSTANTS AND CHANGE

FAMILY STRENGTHS IN 1960S

1. Family as a Strength Within Itself 2. Strong Marriage 3. Strength as Parents 4. Parents Help Children to Develop 5. Relationships Within the Family 6. Family Does Things Together 7. Social and Economic Status Satisfactory 8. Religious Beliefs

9. Home Environment 10. Activities in Community Affairs 11. Education 12. Capacity to Change 13. Relationships with In-Laws 14. Attitudes Toward Sex 15. Recognizing the Need For and Accepting

Help

FAMILY STRENGTHS IN THE 90S (USA)

Two US national surveys, randomly selected, 45,000 respondentsFive of the measures analyzed relate to positive family processes: (1) parental positive mental health(2) household routines(3) time use(4) communication and praise(5) monitoring, supervision, and involvement(6) parent-child warmth and supportiveness –

relates to positive family relationships.

Both the qualities of family relationships and of family behaviors are important aspects of family strengths.

Multiple measures are necessary to provide a more complete picture of the status of a family or groups of households.

Measures of family strengths need to address different developmental periods of family life.

The nature of family strengths is influenced by the social and economic context of families’ social environments.

The role of culture affects family processes and relationships in ways that we don’t currently understand or assess well.

Moore, K. A., Chalk, R., Scarpa, J., & Vandivere, S. (2002). Family Strengths: Often overlooked but real.

VARIATIONS IN STRENGTHS AS A CONCEPT

Caring relationships High expectation messages Opportunities for participation and

contribution

Bernard, B. (2006). Using strengths-based practice to tap the resilience of families. In D. Saleebey (Ed.), The Strengths Perspective in social work practice (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Concept #1—Awareness, abilities and skills

Concept #2—Cultural experience Concept #3—Personal qualities Concept #4—Integrating child into the

family

Ivanova, V., & Brown, J. (2011). Strengths of aboriginal foster parents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 20(3), 279-285.

FAMILY STRENGTHS AND ADVERSE EXPERIENCES

While you were growing up, during your first 18 years of life, how true were each of the following statements? People in your family felt close to each other. Family closeness Your family was a source of support. Family support People in your family looked out for each other You knew there was someone to take care of you and to protect

you. There was someone in your family who helped you feel important

or special You felt loved. There was someone to take you to the doctor if you needed it.

Hillis, S. D., Anda, R. F., Dube, S. R., Felitti, V. J., Marchbanks, P. A., Macaluso, M., & Marks, J. S. (2017). The protective effect of family strengths in childhood against adolescent pregnancy and its long-term psychosocial consequences. Issues, 2016.

Retrospective cohort, N=4648 women After adjustment, we observed a 46% reduction in

adolescent pregnancy rates (adjusted OR = 0.54) among with both high family strengths (6 or 7 categories) and coexisting Adverse Child Experience (ACE), compared with women with low childhood family strengths (0 or 1 category) and coexisting ACE.

After adjusting for age, race, education, adolescent pregnancy, and history of coexisting childhood abuse or family dysfunction, we found that a high number of family strengths (6 or 7) led to a significant protective effect against job, family, and financial problems, as well as uncontrollable anger. These findings did not vary by whether ACE were reported.

Family strengths contributing to family resilience

Lietz, C. A. (2007). Uncovering stories of family reslilience: A mixed methods study of resilient families, Part 2. Families in Society, 88(1), 147-155.

Stage 5 – Helping others

Giving social support

Stage 4 – Growing stronger

Appraisal

Stage 3 - Acceptance InsightHumourCommunicationMoral/spirituality

Stage 2 – Adaptation Creative/flexibilityBoundary setting

Stagge 1 – Survival External and internal social supportTaking chargeMoral/spirituality

Resilience occurs as families use strengths to overcome risk and maintain functioning.

Family strengths can be stronger than risk.

STRENGTHS OF ABORIGINAL AUSTRALIAN FAMILIES

Theme 1: A collective community focus on child rearing helps children—The values of interdependence, group cohesion and community loyalty are key features of Aboriginal family and community life, where raising children is considered to be a shared responsibility of all community members.

Theme 2: Children need the freedom to explore and experience the world—Aboriginal communities offer their children every opportunity to explore the world around them, to help them develop the necessary skills to successfully negotiate their pathways to adulthood.

Theme 3: Elderly family members are important to family functioning—The elderly are highly respected for their contributions to family life in Aboriginal communities, particularly in helping children to understand the practical aspects of life and society.

Theme 4: Spirituality helps families cope with challenges—Families and communities who engage in spiritual practices benefit from a greater sense of identity, and individuals are more likely to connect with, support and help protect one another.

Lohoar, S., Butera, N., & Kennedy, E. (2014). Strengths of Australian Aboriginal cultural practices in family life and child rearing: Australian Institute of Family Studies.