Question

Analyze each stress situation by applying the components of the ABC-X Model. (A=Stressor, the thing that's causing the stress, life events that result in or require a family to change, B=Resources, things that can help them take care of the stress, internal or external and range from tangible (money, education/degrees earned) to intangible (social support systems), C=Perception, how the family is perceiving the stress, (1) How does the family view or define the problem? and (2) What is their understanding of the situation that resulted in the problem?, X=Crisis, when a family cannot put the stress event into perspective in a way that lets them manage it effectively)

SCENARIO #1—McAllister-Jones Family Kyle and Stephanie McAllister are planning their upcoming wedding. Since Stephanie’s father left her mother when Stephanie was only 7 years old and she has only spoken to her father on holidays, Stephanie has decided to ask her stepfather to walk down the aisle with her. Two weeks before the wedding, Stephanie’s stepmother calls and asks what time she and Stephanie’s father should plan on arriving for the rehearsal. She tells Stephanie that her father is so excited about being able to walk his little girl down the aisle. Stephanie hangs up the phone in tears and tells Kyle that she wants to elope.

SCENARIO #2—Janszen-Miller Family Chad and Jeff have been in a monogamous relationship for the past seven years. Chad is working toward his goal of being an executive for a Fortune 500 company. While he’s a few years away from actually realizing his goal, he makes enough to support himself, Jeff, and their children. Jeff has been a “stay-at-home parent” who cares for his son and Chad’s daughter while working on a science fiction novel—his lifetime goal. The men and their children have always been healthy—no one has ever been afflicted with more than a cold. Jeff’s son, Christopher, was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease. He will require extensive medical care. Chad and Jeff are not sure what they’re going to do—the medical procedures are expensive and Chad’s health benefits cannot assist Jeff or his son.

SCENARIO #3—The Jones Family David and Stacy have been living in a small town where David is employed with a local law firm. If David keeps progressing as he has, he’s expected to be named a partner in the near future. David has been working for the firm for several years and has been able to support Stacy while she pursues her medical degree at the local university. Stacy is one year from graduating with her degree, and she must decide where to go for her residency. She receives word from her top choice—Healthy Hospital—that she has been accepted for their residency program. However, Healthy Hospital is 800 miles away. She and David have to decide what to do. They know that they don’t want to spend four years apart, but neither one wants to give up on their goals.

SCENARIO #4—The Deas Family Justin’s job has required him to move his wife and children from Columbus to a rural farm community. When searching for homes in the new community, Justin and his wife were told by the realtor that, “We might have a difficult time finding a place where you’ll feel at home here. After all, you’re the first African-American family to move here for as long as I can remember.” A couple of weeks into their move, Alena was shocked when their 7 year old daughter came home crying because two of the children at school were asking her why her skin was a different color. Justin and Alena are confused about what they should do. This job is the opportunity of a lifetime, but they had never had to deal with the racist attitudes that they have been facing since moving to this small town.

Be sure to identify the A, B, C & X in each scenario

In some of the descriptions, it may not be clear as there could be multiple factors influencing the family. You can create "hypothetical" explanations for the possible A, B, C & X.

Discuss how communication can contribute to the reduction or resolution of the stressful situation experienced in each of the scenarios.

What recommendations would you offer to family members to resolve the impact of the stress? (not really Psychology but it's the closest subject)

Answer 1

SCENARIO #1 Stephanie is stressed about her father walking her down the aisle. She has had bare minimum communication with him over the years, since her parents' divorce. It is stressing the living daylights out of her where she broke down and is heard saying that she wants to elope. Thus, the stressor (A) is meeting her own father after years and having him walk her down the aisle. She wants him to walk her down the aisle, however, she is stressing over the anxiety of the unknown. She does not know what it would feel like meeting him after years.

The resource available for Stephanie is Kyle, her fiancé. She confides in him about how she feels about the situation. She wishes to elope with him to escape the stressor. Kyle would make sense to her and talk to her out of it. He is emotionally available for her to help her deal with the stressor. Thus, the resource (B) available for Stephanie is, Kyle.

The family, in this case, Stephanie's father and step mother have no idea about what is causing stress to Stephanie. They are clearly unaware of how she feels about the situation. They are happy to be a part of her big day. However, they are unaware of the anxiety it is causing to Stephanie (C).

There is no crisis in this scenario as the family is unaware of Stephanie's stressor. If she chooses to talk to her father about it, perhaps it would help resolve the impact of stress for her.