WU Addressing Family Conflict Building Harmony Discussion – Description
Respond to two colleagues who identified a different boundary violation. Explain how this would affect working with the family.
Sarah Mcfadden
MondayJul 3 at 5:30pm
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Two Family Roles in the Werner Family
“Family roles are individually prescribed patterns of behaviors reinforced by the expectations and norms of the family” (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018). In the Werner family, the mother is performing in the role of parent, and the dad is in the role of a substance abuser. The mother relies on her own mother for support both emotionally and financially. The father seems to be in a cycle of addiction to alcohol which appears to be keeping him from performing the role of parent and husband.
One Boundary Violation in the Werner Family
A boundary violation is any behavior that causes harm in a family relationship. In this brief summary of the Werner family, the social worker could identify the constant fighting between the mother and father as a boundary violation. Often anger can be due to the lack of consonance in the relationship. Consonance is the ability to listen and be understood (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018). The Werner parents may be experiencing this due to the husband’s use of alcohol.
Kirst-Ashman, K. K. & Hull, G. H. (2018). Empowerment Series: Understanding Generalist Practice. 8th Edition. Boston, MA. Cengage Learning.
Danell M Ubl
TuesdayJul 4 at 2:58pm
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Describe two family roles and one boundary violation that would apply to this family.
One family role is the son in the Werner family as the scapegoat. He is the “client” in therapy, and often the scapegoat is made out to be the problem in the family when there are more serious issues (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018). The parents may unconsciously or consciously focus on the sons issues to divert attention away from their own shortcomings and conflicts. The scapegoat is often the one reflecting the real problems in the household and is therefore blamed for all the problems (Inner Change, 2023). This leads to a negative cycle where the son becomes the target of criticism and blame, instead of the parents solving their own issues and being a positive support for their family.
The second family role I noticed in this family is the Golden Child or the perfectionist. The daughter in the Werner family plays this role. She is depicted as an excellent student and exalted by her parents. The golden child is often idealized and favored by the parents, receiving more positive attention and validation compared to other family members (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018). In some cases, this may lead to the daughter feeling pressure to maintain her high achievement levels, usually overcompensating for the other issues in the family, and may have trouble relaxing or have low self-esteem (Inner Change, 2023). The daughter may be trying to be perfect to avoid the scrutiny the brother receives.
The biggest boundary violation I noticed in the Werner family is the emotional triangulation created by the mom. This occurs when a third person, in this case, the moms own mother, is involved in the family’s emotional issues and conflicts (Cikanavicius, 2019). The mom relies on her own mother for family advice and financial support, which can create an unhealthy dynamic. Cikanavicius explains that this is a common occurrence with a manipulative person who wishes to be the one in control. Perhaps the dads drinking is a coping mechanism for feeling out of control within his family and/or the manipulative nature of his wife. Additionally, Cikanavicius adds that someone who uses emotional triangulation often has one child used as a scapegoat and one child projected as the perfect child. This seems to fit this family perfectly.
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References
Cikanavicius, D. (2019, October 20). Triangulation: The Narcissists Best Play. Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/blog/psychology-self/2019/10/triangulation-and-narcissism#1Links to an external site.
Inner Change. (2023). Family Roles |. InnerChange. https://www.innerchange.com/parents-resources/family-roles/Links to an external site.
Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, Jr., G. H. (2018). Understanding Generalist Practice (8th ed.). Cengage Learning
Respond to two colleagues:
Describe one way in which each colleague might assist clients in later adulthood with the role transitions they described.
Jennifer Tucker
TuesdayJul 4 at 12:25pm
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Week 6 Discussion 1
Describe two social role transitions and life events that occur in late adulthood.
People in late adulthood experience many transitions, some of them very abrupt like the death of a spouse or loved one, and another would be retirement. These two transitions and more make this period of a person’s life the most challenging cause a person to start to realize their own impending death, which is one of the most stressful events that we can deal with (Hutchison, 2019). It has been shown that people in late adulthood are able to adapt to these transitions and continue to live a productive life (Hutchison, 2019).
Explain whether ego integrity is a predictor of successful adjustment in late adulthood.
I think that it is important to do a life review, it can either lead to depression, acceptance, and satisfaction. When it is successful it leaves the person feeling inner peace. But if it fails and evokes feelings of despair and depression (Hutchison, 2019). Erikson’s 8thstage in his theory of adult development says a person tries to work through conflicts between ego integrity and despair. Ego integrity is when a person accepts themselves and sees their life as meaningful, and despair is when they reject themselves and their life (Hutchison, 2019).
References
Hutchison, E. D. (2019). Dimensions of human behavior: The changing life course (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Brianna Meier
TuesdayJul 4 at 2:12pm
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Main Post: Social Role Transitions and Life Events in Late Adulthood: Ego Integrity versus Despair
Describe two social role transitions and life events that occur in late adulthood.
Retirement and institutionalization are two social role transitions and life events during late adulthood.
The United States has set the age to sixty-five years old to retire. Retirement is either a good thing or a bad thing. It all depends on the individual adult. Retirement can result in a good matter because they have made friends from work, relearned how to enjoy life, are now exploring new opportunities, and are continuing to learn new things. (Hutchinson, 2019) Some older adults do not enjoy the luxuries of retiring because of financial predicaments, work feels like their escape from an unhappy home, pushed to retire because of health matters or forced from their job because of their age or other issues. (Hutchinson, 2019)
Institutionalization has a big stereotype behind it, saying that older adults get left behind or forgotten when their family or friends put them into a caregiving place. “They turn to nursing homes only after they have exhausted all other alternatives.” (Hutchinson, 2019) Older adults often are put into a nursing home or assisted-living facility because their loved ones can no longer help or receive additional help.
Explain whether ego integrity is a predictor of successful adjustment in late adulthood.
Ego integrity involves an older adult making peace within their life. Ego integrity would be a step toward a successful adjustment in late adulthood because they would be reminiscing on everything they have done. They would find peace in everything if they were happy with their actions.
References
Hutchison, E. D. (2019). Dimensions of human behavior: The changing life course (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Respond to two colleagues:
Recommend an additional self-care strategy for Ms. Johnson.
Recommend one caregiving resource your colleagues could provide for Ms. Johnson.
Brianna Meier TuesdayJul 4 at 2:13pmManage Discussion Entry
Main Post: Ms. Ruby Johnson, Caretaker for Three Generations Ruby is a seventy-one-year-old African American woman who was married at a young age and had a child when she was twenty-four. Her daughter, Darlene, had a child, and after the father had left, she developed a strong relationship with drugs and prostitution. Ruby worked at a postal service for thirty-six years before retiring. Ruby is now responsible for caring for her eighty-nine-year-old father, who can no longer live alone. Eight people live in one home: Ruby, Darlene, Tiffany, Carl, Rebecca, George, and Tiffany’s two children. Ruby feels like she has a responsibility to everyone.
Explain the physical, biological, psychological, and socioemotional changes that may occur from caregiving in late adulthood that are evident in the case study.
“Considering age 65 as the starting point for late adulthood is somewhat arbitrary, because there is no sudden change to our physiology, biology, or personality.” (Hutchinson, 2019) Ms. Ruby Johnson is already starting in her late adulthood stage, and throughout her caretaker role, she does experience quite a few changes. While speaking to her social worker, she states that her “physical demise has begun.” (Hutchinson, 2019) Biologically she is worried about her diabetes. She is dependent on insulin. Psychologically she worries about her death and how that will affect the family. Ms. Ruby Johnson feels she will burden the family significantly if she were to pass away. She thinks that she has to have everything taken care of if anything happens to her.
Recommend twoself-care strategies for Ms. Johnson.
Two self-care strategies for Ms. Johnson would be open communication and taking time for herself. (UCSF Health, 2022) Ms. Ruby Johnson can communicate openly to her children that she requires help. She is getting older, and the children she lives with could be a great source of support for her father. Ms. Johnson prepares dinner most weeknights; if she discussed it with her family, they could alternate nights when everyone cooks dinner. Ms. Johnson could also take time for herself. She does have diabetes and probably does not make it to the doctor as often as she should. If she could take time for herself, she could handle her health concerns and feel she has a sense of worth.
ReferencesHutchison, E. D. (2019). Dimensions of human behavior: The changing life course (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.UCSF Health. (2022, June 24). Self-care for caregivers. ucsfhealth.org. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/self-care-for…
Colene Roberts ThursdayJul 6 at 10:26amManage Discussion Entry
MAIN POST:Explain the physical, biological, psychological, and socioemotional changes that may occur from caregiving in late adulthood The physical changes Ms. Johnson is experiencing would be she is getting tired more often from caretaking. She mentions not having “half the energy” she used to, possibly due to the physical demands of caregiving for her father and granddaughter and cooking for her extended family (Hutchinson, 2019, p.314). Ms. Johnson’s biological changes are also apparent in the case study. She is 71 years old, and many people experience changes in their health. Ruby’s diabetes and insulin dependency are significant biological changes that require careful management. Her concern about worsening health indicates she knows the potential for further biological changes associated with aging and chronic illness (Hutchinson, 2019, p.314). Ms. Johnson’s psychological changes are evident in her feelings of responsibility for her family and her fear of death, not for herself but for the impact it would have on her family (Hutchinson, 2019, p.314). Her feeling this way may mean she is stressed and worried. Ms. Johnson’s socioemotional changes show her pride in her daughter’s recovery, her joy in her great-grandchildren, and her concern for her family’s well-being. However, these positive emotions are contradicted by her anger and sadness about her daughter’s past behavior and her worry about her family’s future (Hutchinson, 2019, p.314). These mixed emotions reflect the complex socioemotional changes she is battling.Recommend two self-care strategies for Ms. JohnsonCaregiving can be physically and emotionally exhausting, especially in late adulthood, so getting plenty of rest to keep up her energy levels would be one excellent way to self-care. Another way Ms. Johnson could utilize self-care would be by seeking social support, perhaps by joining a support group for caregivers or individuals managing diabetes. This could provide her with a network of individuals who understand her experiences and can offer advice and encouragement. ReferenceHutchison, E. D. (2019). Dimensions of human behavior: The changing life course (6th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
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