cHAPTER
10
Communication and Family Developmental Stresses
Vertical Stressors
Systems Levels
Sociocultural, political, economic
Community: neighborhood, work,
friends, religions, organizations
Extended lamily
lmmediate family
lndividual
Extended Family
Bacism, sexism, classism,
ageism, homophobia,
consumerism, poverty
Disappearance of communitY,
more work, less leisure,
inllexibility of workplace, no
time for friends
Family emotional patterns,
myths, triangles, secrets,
legacies, losses
Violence, addictions, ignorance,
depression, lack of sPiritual
expression or dreams
Genetic makeup, abilities, and
disabilities
-------.----l-
Horlzontal Stressors
Developmental
a. Life-cycle transitions
b. Migration
Unpredlctable
a. Untimely death
b. Chronic illness
c. Accident
d. Unemployment
Historical Events
a.
b.
c.
d.
War
Economic depression
Political climate
Natural disasters
FIGURE 10.1
Flow of Stress Through the Family
Saurce: From Carter, B. & McGoldrick, M. The Expanded Fanily Life Cych,3le,@ 2005. Published by Allyn and Bacon,
Boston, lVA. Copyright O 2oo5 by Pearson Education. Reprinted by permission of the publisher.