In: Psychology
1. Disability is not often spotlighted in discussions about family diversity. Why do you think this is?
2. Use either Ecological Systems Theory or Family System Theory to discuss potential predictors of stress for families that have children with some form of disability. Be sure to provide at least two specific examples using your chosen theory.
1. Disability is not spoken about or highlighted in discussions about family diversity because it is still a sensitive area to discuss. When we talk about family diversity, we talk about gender, culture, occupation, sexual orientation etc. but disability is not mentioned. This is because there is not enough awareness about disabilities in our society. People feel they need to hide children and family members who have disabilities, instead of getting help and trying to make them a part of society. They feel their family will be ridiculed or ostracised from society which is why they do not speak about family members with disabilities.
2. Murray Bowen developed the family systems theory according to which a family is an emotional unit whose members are connected together emotionally. As they are a unit, change in behavior of one person impacts every one else. All emotions and behaviors are interconnected.
Triangles is one of the eight concepts of family systems theory that can explain potential predictors for stress for families with individuals with disabilities. According to the triangle concept, every family has a relationship with 3 people as a triangle as 2 makes it too volatile. When there are 3 people the stress can shift between all 3 of them. This explains how stress will move from one family member to another when there is a person with a disability as part of the family.
Emotional cutoff is another one of the eight concepts of family systems theory that can explain potential predictors for stress for families with individuals with disabilities. According to this, family members who are facing difficulties (stress) do not discuss it/ignore it and do not resolve it. This leads to unresolved conflicts and increases stress levels in the family members.