Family Strength Framework

712 Words2 Pages

Throughout the years, families have been undergoing rapid changes in countless ways. The dynamic family structures that exist in the contemporary society is quite remarkable. Changes in technology, global and national economies have brought different pressures to families. This paper examines the notion of family as it is reflected in the contemporary society, family strengths as a framework and how this framework can be applied as an essential method in healthcare practice to enhance nursing care. Contemporary family is different from the traditional family of: male father, female mother and children; it is diverse, dynamic and complex. Family has a different meaning for different people as society considers social, cultural or political factors …show more content…

As a result, the Australian healthcare system incorporates the Family Strength framework, when assessing families in their care. Barnes and Rowe (2013) suggests that the Family Strength framework is a mechanism applied in healthcare to classify families’ traits and strengths as well as zones of potential development. Research suggests that the framework’s qualities of acceptance, affection, commitment, communication, sharing activities, support, togetherness and resilience (Barnes & Rowe 2013), are essential in shaping the emotional health and well-being of the family (Murati 2016). It has also been revealed that when utilizing this framework in nursing practice, nursing education and everyday life, nurses have successfully created a foundation for families to succeed as well as acknowledging family problems and how to address them (Sittner, Hudson & Defreain …show more content…

It is crucial for nurses to implement aspects of the strengths perception into their clinical practice as research agrees that families can function to the best of their ability via operational strengths that offer benefits. Thus, family strengths assist in maintaining family consistency whilst offering support in the development and wellbeing of each family member (Moore et al. 2002 p. 3). This framework will serve as tool that nurses use to detect the family’s behaviours in response to their healthcare needs; highlighting the family strengths and weaknesses (Barnes & Rowe 2013). It is also important that nurses are aware of the Family Strengths as these are the main influencers of their understanding of family diversity, values, strengths and how to prioritise healthcare delivery to improve the child, youth and family’s health (Barnes & Rowe 2013). To mention a few, take for example the framework’s qualities of shared activities and togetherness. They can provide information about the family’s relationship. This gives nurses an insight of how they can provide an appropriate care plan for their patients as research advises that a sense of togetherness is vital for the improvement of a patient’s wellbeing (Zotterman, Skar & Olsoon 2016). In times of disaster, nurses can apply the family therapy or social policy approach to

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