THE FAMILY

• Group of persons usually living together and composed of the head and
other persons related to the head by blood, marriage, or adoption (National
Statistics Coordination Board, 2008).
• Social unit interacting with the larger society (Johnson, 2000).
• Characterized by people together because of birth, marriage, adoption, or
choice (Allen, et.al, 2000).
• Two or more persons who are joined together by bonds of sharing and
emotional closeness and who identify themselves as being part of the family
(Friedman, et. al, 2003).

FAMILY FORMS

1. Nuclear Family – the family of marriage, parenthood, or procreation composed

of a husband, wife, and their immediate children [natural, adopted, or both]
(Friedman et.al, 2003).

2. Dyad Family – consisting of husband and wife, such as newly married couples
and “empty nesters”.

3. Extended Family – consisting of 3 generations which may include married

siblings and their families and or grandparents.

4. Blended Family – results from a union where one or both spouses bring a child
or children from a previous marriage into a new living arrangement.

5. Compound Family – where a man has more than one spouse; approved by
Philippine authorities only among Muslims by virtue of PD No. 1083 [Code of
Muslim Personal Laws of the Philippines (Office of the President, 1977).

6. Cohabiting Family – “live-in” arrangement between an unmarried couple who

are called common–law spouses and their child or children from such an
arrangement.

7. Single Parent Family – results from the death of a spouse, separation, or

pregnancy outside of wedlock.
8. Gay or Lesbian Family – cohabiting couple of the same sex in a sexual
relationship; may or may not have children. Not legally accepted in the
Philippines.

FAMILY FUNCTIONS

1. Meet the needs of society thru:

-procreation
-socialization of family members
-status placement
-economic function

2. Meet the needs of the individuals thru:

-physical maintenance of dependent members
-welfare and protection

FAMILY AS CLIENT

It is important unit of health care, with awareness that individual can be best
understood within the social context of family.

REASONS WHY IT IS VITAL NURSES WORK WITH FAMILIES:

• Family is a critical health resource (caregiver role of the family).

• Dysfunctions in the family affect other members (ripple effect).
• Case finding (identify a health problem that necessitates identifying risks for
the entire family).
• Understanding family and its members improve nursing care.
• Families provide feedback on the influences of health services.
 FAMILY AS A SYSTEM

• The family as a unit interacts with larger units outside the family (supra–
system) and with smaller units inside the family (sub–system).

DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES OF FAMILY/FAMILY LIFE CYCLE

1. Beginning Family through marriage or commitment as a couple

2. Parenting the First Child
3. Living with Adolescents
4. Launching Family
5. Middle–aged family
6. Aging Family

FAMILY HEALTH TASKS

Family Life Cycle Tasks

1. Marriage
2. Families with Young Children
3. Families with Adolescents
a. Formation of identity as couple.
b. Inclusion of spouse in realignment
of relationships with extended
families.
c. Parenthood: making decisions.
a. Integration of children into family
unit.
b. Tasks adjustment: child rearing,
financial, and household.
c. Accommodation of new parenting
and grandparenting roles.
a. Development of increasing
autonomy for adolescents.
b. Midlife reexamination of marital
and career issues.
c. Initial shift towards concern for the
older generation.

4. Families as Launching Centers a. Establishment of independent

 identities for parents and grown
children.
b. Renegotiation of marital
relationship.
c. Readjustment of relationships to
include in-laws and grandchildren.
d. Dealing with disabilities and death
of older generation.

5. Aging Families a. Maintaining couple and individual

functioning while adapting to the
aging process.
b. Support role of middle generation.
c. Support and autonomy of older
generation.
d. Preparation for own death and
dealing with the loss of spouse and
or siblings and other peers.

OTHER FAMILY HEALTH TASKS

• Recognizing interruptions of health or development.

• Seeking health care.
• Managing health and non–health crises.
• Providing nursing care to sick, disabled, or dependent members of the
family.
• Maintaining a home environment conducive to good health and personal
development.
• Maintaining a reciprocal relationship with the community and its health
institutions.
 CHARACTERISTICS OF A HEALTHY FAMILY

1. Members interact with each other.

2. Establish priorities (family needs are priority).
3. Members affirm, support, and respect each other.
4. Engage in flexible role relationships, share power, respond to change,
support the growth and autonomy of others, and engage in decision making
that affects them.
5. Teaches family and societal values and beliefs and shares a spiritual core.
6. Foster responsibility and value service to others.
7. Have a sense of play, humor, and share leisure time.
8. Ability to cope with stress and crisis and grow from problems; know when
to seek help from professionals.