Stress, Abuse, and Family Problems

1. Stress, Abuse, and Family Problems Chapter 14

2. Chapter Overview • Introductory “Quiz” • Thought for the Week • Stress • Abuse • Consider the Following • Critical Thinking • Homework

3. I. Introductory “Quiz”

4. 1. All stressors either begin or end up in the family. True

5. 2. It is not the event that causes the stress, but how the person perceives of the event that makes it stressful. True

6. 3. A “normal,” intact family is well-functioning, efficient, and effective.” False

7. 4. Any event that causes a change in the family system is considered a stressful life event. True

8. 5. Crises tend to weaken a family in the long-run. False

9. 6. The home is a more dangerous place for women than the city streets. True

10. 7. Dating seems to be more violent than marital relationships. True

11. 8. Growing up in an abusive home guarantees that the person will become a victim or a victimizer. False

12. 9. Venting anger verbally can prevent violence. Way false

13. 10. Alcoholics Anonymous can help stop family violence. True

14. II. Thought for the Week: Mission Statements • Women: I will strive to develop and live positive values such as Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, and Integrity. I believe that as I come to accept and act upon such values, I will be prepared to strengthen my home and family,and enjoy the benefits of living a productive life.

15. II. Thought for the Week: B. Men: I will strive to develop and live positive values such as Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, and Integrity. I believe that as I come to accept and act upon such values, I will be prepared to strengthen my home and family,and enjoy the benefits of living a productive life.

16. III. Stress • The Stress Curve • The Holmes and Rehe Stress Test (see Handout packet) • Stressors Across the Family Life Cycle (see pg. 423) • Strategies for Managing Stress

17. Strategies for Managing Stress • A stressful scenario • Personal inventory • Compare to Research Findings (see p. 432)

18. IV. Abuse A. Types of Abuse • Dating Abuse • Spousal Abuse • Correlates to Abuse (see p. 438-440) • Treatment and Prevention

19. 1. Types of Abuse • Minor Physical Aggression • Severe Physical • Marital Rape • Verbal/Psychological Abuse • Neglect

20. V. Consider the Following: [We tend] to dissociate anger from agency, making us believe that we are victims of an emotion that we cannot control. We hear, “I lost my temper”… To “lose something” implies “not meaning to,” “accidental,” “involuntary,” “not responsible”—careless perhaps but “not responsible.”

21. “He made me mad…” This is a myth…No one makes us mad. Others don’t make us angry. There is no force involved. Becoming angry is a conscious choice, a decision; therefore, we can make the choice not to become angry. We choose!

22. To those who say, “But I can’t help myself,” author William Wilbanks responds: “Nonsense.” “Aggression, … suppressing the anger, talking about it, screaming and yelling,” are all learned strategies in dealing with anger. “We choose the one that has proved effective for us in the past. Ever notice how seldom we lose control when frustrated by our boss, but how often we do when annoyed by friends or family?” (“The New Obscenity,” Reader’s Digest.)

23. VI. Critical Thinking • Who is most likely to abuse a child? • Which is worse; physical or psychological abuse? • “I hope I never hit my wife.”

24. VII. Homework Write your own mission statement.