John DeFrain

Strong Families Around the World: An Introduction to the Family Strengths Perspective

Abstract The family is one of societys oldest and most resilient institutions. Although the structure of the family may vary around the world, the value of family endures. Most of the research on families, historically speaking, has focused primarily on the problems or weaknesses of families. Over the past three decades, researchers have studied families from a strengths-based perspective. Around the world researchers have found that families are amazingly similar. The similarities point to a set of qualities that describe the characteristics of strong families. These qualities are showing appreciation and affection, commitment, positive communication, enjoyable times together, spiritual well-being, and the ability to manage stress and crisis effectively. Twenty-two propositions have also been suggested that have relevance in how we look at families in general. The information has relevance and purpose and should serve to inform and expand our thinking about families. The information may have significance to some specific areas and particular fields, especially to the areas of family services, family education, marital and family therapy, and social policy.

Stillbirth and the Couple: A Gender-Based Exploration

ABSTRACT The stillbirth of a baby occurs in about 1 in 110 families yearly. Yet, little is understood about the ways in which grieving mothers and fathers experience the babys death. This study is intended to explore the ways in which bereaved parents perceive and cope with the death of their baby and how the babys death affects them both individually and as a couple. Respondents answered open-ended questions about their experiences. Results suggest that mothers and fathers grieve individually and collectively, struggling to find meaning in their losses. Responses to a babys death may depend, in part, on the parents gender, as well as on the individuals locus of control, couple and family cohesion, the degree of attachment to the baby, and social support. The death of a baby may create conflict in a marital dyad, yet many couples also experience a greater sense of closeness. A therapeutic relationship that is nonhierarchical and egalitarian, focusing on “keeping the therapist close to the experience of each partner” (Vatcher & Bogo, 2001, p. 76) may offer a place where the marital relationship can flourish after such a tragic experience.

Effects of high-risk pregnancies on families

Purpose:To examine the psychosocial impact a high-risk pregnancy has on the family and to identify family strengths and how these strengths help families meet the challenges inherent in high-risk pregnancies. Study Design and Method:A descriptive study using naturalistic inquiry was used to interview women who were currently pregnant and had differing high-risk obstetric health issues. Data collection for this study included semi-structured, one-on-one audiotaped interviews, observations, and a biographic profile completed by the participant. The audiotaped interviews were transcribed and data were examined, coded, clustered, and sorted into specific categories. Trustworthiness included member checks and audit trails. Results:Three themes emerged from the data about psychosocial impact. Mixed Emotions described the women’s perception of a high-risk pregnancy; Adjustment and Support was how the women described their family’s experience with the high-risk pregnancy; and Informative Care arose from the women’s explanation of care received. The most common family strength identified was the ability to manage stress and crisis, followed by commitment, appreciation and affection, a sense of spiritual well-being, and enjoyable time together. The least common strength identified was positive communication. Clinical Implications:A high-risk pregnancy not only affects women, but it also causes an alteration in family functioning. Nurses need to become familiar with family strengths and help families recognize their strengths when faced with significant life events.

Contemporary Family Patterns and Relationships

When Americans refer to traditional family values and dynamics, they commonly extol the virtues of lifelong marriage with children. Tradition in our culture holds that (1) being married is better than being single; (2) being married is better than living together; (3) having children is better than not having children; (4) two parents are better than one; (5) blood is thicker than water (i.e., especially when applied to distinctions between biological parents and stepparents); and (6) a mother at home is better than a mother at work, which is father’s domain.

Spiritual Well-Being and Its Relationship to Resilience in Young People: A Mixed Methods Case Study

Questions have arisen recently about the role of spiritual well-being in strengthening resilience of youth. To explore this association, this case study focused on the relationships and connectedness of young people who attend one religious organization as a means of enhancing their spiritual well-being. In line with the purposes of an instrumental case study, different sources of data (quantitative and qualitative) were collected on the phenomenon of interest—spiritual well-being. A theoretical purposive sample of 65 people participated in the study. A mixed methods research approach guided this case study, which incorporated both single- and multicase study techniques. Through an abductive analysis process, spiritual well-being and resilience were shown to be interrelated and ecologically bound. This mixed methods case study presents one possible explanation for the often observed yet poorly understood relationship between spiritual well-being and positive youth outcomes, such as resilience.

The Healthy Family: Is It Possible?

Publisher Summary This chapter presents results of research studies conducted on strong families, with the premise that healthy families are possible with considerable commitment and effort. It discusses some common characteristics of strong, healthy families that the studies reflect. The results of 30 different studies with 3,000 families in every state of the United States and several foreign countries show that six major qualities or themes appear in the life of millions of strong families in the countries, especially among the Western industrial societies and the more technologically oriented nations of the globe. These qualities are: commitment, appreciation, communication, time together, spiritual wellness, and the ability to cope with stress and crisis. Though these studies advocate these characteristics as important for strong, healthy families, one cannot ignore the extreme complexity and diversity of family life in a country. Not all six qualities are apparent in every family, and the emphasis in one family of necessity is different from the emphasis in another family. The information and knowledge gained from the many studies of strong families offer concrete direction for parents and professionals alike.

Epilogue: A Strengths-Based Conceptual Framework for Understanding Families World-Wide

Abstract A positive and useful approach to conceptualizing families from a global perspective links family strengths, community strengths, and cultural strengths and demonstrates how families use these valued tools to meet the many challenges they face today in a difficult world. In this epilogue, we develop conceptual models from all three levels of strength from an analysis of the 18 countries discussed in this text, and two visual models are also presented in order to help students in family studies world-wide better understand and organize their thinking on the complexities of family life today.

Using the concept of family strengths to enhance nursing care

This article was written to help nurses better understand the family strengths framework and encourage them to incorporate family strengths into the nursing care they give. In times of stress or crisis for families, nurses can use the conceptual framework of family strengths as a mechanism to promote strong, healthy relationships. The family strengths perspective identifies and builds on positive attributes in family functioning. Family strengths qualities are (a) commitment, (b) appreciation and affection, (c) positive communication, (d) time together, (e) a sense of spiritual well-being, and (f) the ability to cope with stress and crisis. With the family strengths approach, nurses help families define their visions and hopes for the future instead of looking at what factors contribute to family problems. Family strengths assessment can be used in nursing practice, nursing education, and everyday life.

Couples in Great Marriages Who Considered Divorcing

This study used a strengths-based perspective to examine the experiences of 25 couples who self-identified as having great marriages yet had considered divorcing at some point during their marriage. Data for this study came from a larger qualitative study examining the multiple aspects of what makes marriages great. Various reasons were cited for considering divorce, including difficulties with communication, spending time apart for work or other reasons, stressors from other family members, and infidelity. Participants discussed multiple reasons for overcoming thoughts of divorce, including resolving conflicts in communication, turning to and relying on each other, seeking professional help, and religion. A detailed case study examination of one couples experience is included as well as discussion and implications for family life educators and practitioners.

Family violence from a global perspective : a strengths-based approach

Introduction - Sylvia M. Asay, John DeFrain, Marcee Metzger, Bob Moyer Africa Chapter 1. Family Violence From a Global Perspective: Strengths-Based Research and Case Studies: The Case of South Africa - Busisiwe Nkosi and Priscilla S. Daniels Chapter 2: Domestic Violence in Botswana: Factors That Help Women Overcome Abuse - Lois R. Mberengwa, Tapologo Maundeni and Kgomotso K. More Chapter 3: Domestic Violence in Kenya: Strengths-Based Research - Jane Rose Njue, Dorothy Rombo, Laura S. Smark, Anne N. Lutomia and Lucy Wandiri Mbirianjau Asia Chapter 4: Domestic Violence in a Chinese Cultural Context: Who Gets the Blame? - Yan Xia, Cixin Wang, Shuhong Luo, Haiping Wang and Xiaoyun Zhang Chapter 5: Family Violence From an Indian Perspective - Lina Kashyap and Trupti Panchal Chapter 6: Marital Violence in South Korea - Grace H. Chung and Sun Wha Ok Europe Chapter 7: Domestic Violence Against Women in Greece - Theodora Kaldi-Koulikidou and Styliani Plevraki Chapter 8: Family Violence in Moldova - Sylvia M. Asay, Valentina Bodrug-Lungu and Mihaela Robila Chapter 9: Violence in the Modern Russian Family - Vladimir I. Zubkov Latin America Chapter 10: Intrafamilial Violence and Social Vulnerability: A Glimpse of the Reality in Brazil - Luisa Fernanda Habigzang, Jean Von Hohendorff and Silvia H. Koller Chapter 11: Family Violence in Mexico - Rosario Esteinou The Middle East Chapter 12: Contextualizing Oppression and Family Violence in Israel: Israeli and Palestinian Experiences - Maha N. Younes North America Chapter 13: Family Violence in Canada - Nancy Nason-Clark, Barbara Fisher-Townsend, Steve McMullin and Catherine Holtmann Chapter 14: Family Violence in the United States: A Community and a Country Respond - Marcee Metzger and Bob Moyer Oceania Chapter 15: Good Things Come to Those Who Wait: Striving to Address Domestic and Family Violence in Australia - Leanne Schubert, Penny Crofts and Kerri Bird Chapter 16: Family Violence in Aotearoa, New Zealand - E. Catherine Dickey Epilogue - Sylvia M. Asay, John DeFrain, Marcee Metzger, Bob Moyer Index