FAMILY PROBLEMS

A Term Paper
Presented to:
MRS. ROSE ANN W. ABING
Purok 2, Bliss Buug Zamboanga Sibugay
THE SEEDS OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF BUUG INC.

In Partial fulfillment of the Requirements in

DISCIPLINE AND IDEAS IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

JADE M. OBAT
NOVEMBER 2023
Thesis Statement:

Family problems can cause several effects to the holistic being of an individual. It
may lead to stresses that may trigger problems that the individual maybe bothered.

I. Physical health

a. Behavioral problems

b. Stress

c. Abusive

II. Mental health

a. Anxiety

b. Sadness

c. Anger

d. Depression

III. Communication

a. Misunderstanding

b. Communication problem

c. Arguments
INTRODUCTION
Family is the basic components of the society. And the parents are the most important
source of youth’s behavior, which effect to their outlook in life. There is no such thing as
the perfect family. Every family is unique with its own combination of strengths and
weaknesses . Every family undergoes a certain problem, and these problems affect their
children. Children, who are affected by these problems has a negative effect on their
studies. Family problem is the most hindrance in the students academic performance.
They might have low grades, they might absent in their class, and probably this might
cause student to stop studying.
The more family problems there are, such as a depressed parent combined with a defiant
teen-ager, the more challenging it will be to find the best combination of treatment
solutions.
Treatment would depend upon the nature of the problems and the willingness and ability
of family members to participate.

Some common problems that affects the student greatly in their academic performance
are being a part of a big family, financial problem of the family, being a part of a broken
family, involvement of another person who does not belong in the family, and divorcing
of the parents. These problem can be overcome on how the parents handle the situation.

Family problems prevail regardless of the family’s condition. Economic, Social,

Psychological and even moral status of families do affect especially the students
performance in school. Student especially in the college level are greatly affected
because they are at a stage when they need to be more conscientious in their life’s
endeavor. The researchers were motivated to undertake a research study on the title,
Family Problems of Students that Affect their Academic Performance. It is thus the
decision of the researchers to pursue this research with they believe that they may help
lessen student’s failure.

I. Physical health
Families come in all shapes and sizes. Your family might consist of your parents,
siblings, cousins, grandparents, spouse, and children. Although the concept of family
means something different to everyone, for many people, family is a valuable source of
love and support.

While family relationships play a prominent role in our lives, they can also be significant
sources of stress and pain. Because they mean so much to us, relationships with family
members are difficult to navigate, especially in the face of conflict.

Because family issues vary widely and are deeply personal, it’s difficult to determine
how common they are.

However, evidence suggests family conflict is relatively common. For example, one
study by the National Institutes of Health on the tension between parents and adult
children found that 94% of participants reported at least some tension in their
relationships.

Family conflict also tends to arise surrounding the balance between parenting and
professional pursuits. According to a June 2019 manuscript, in nuclear families where
both parents are working full time outside of the home, each parent feels concerned that
they don’t spend enough time with their children or spouse.

You may have trouble sleeping or experience physical symptoms including muscle
tension, headaches, and digestive troubles, often time due to family worries like financial
troubles or other money problems, or the inability to resolve conflicts in your own home.
A. Behavioral problems

The ‘behaviour problems’ are having major impact on child's bodily and social
development. The family provides emotional support to an individual as well as plays a
major role in the formation of one's personality. The quality and nature of the parental
nurturance that the child receives will profoundly influence his future development. The
knowledge of these family factors associated with behaviour problems may be helpful to
identify at risk children.

The behavior of a child is variable and depends on biological, social and environmental
factors.[1] In learning to adjust to the world in which child is growing up, he develops
certain kinds of behavior which are annoying or embarrassing to adults with whom he
comes in contact. Adults frequently label such behaviors as problem behaviors.
Studies on the prevalence of behavior problems in children shown alarming results and
yet strikingly varying from one study to another. Studies conducted in rural and urban
areas of different parts of India suggest prevalence range ranging from approximately
1.16% (Dube, 1970)[2] to 43.1% (Vardhini).[3]

The “behavior problems” are having a major impact on the child's bodily and social
development. It is the major concern of frustration to parents. Parent-child relationship
gets disrupted and creates family conflicts and disharmony.

The family provides emotional support to an individual as well as plays a major role in
the formation of one's personality. The quality and nature of the parental nurturance that
the child receives will profoundly influence his future development. But only few homes
provide the right type of environment to the growing child. Numerous studies have
shown that children with various kinds of psychiatric and behavioral problems tend to
come from homes or schools that are disadvantaged in some respect.[4]
B. Stress
Family stressors tend to vary depending on the age and life stage of family members, but
common stressors include changes to the family composition through birth or adoption,
parental conflict, loss of a family member, extended family difficulties, or parent-child
conflict. While each of these can seem overwhelming, there are a variety of practices and
resources that can help reduce the stress.
No one is immune to stress, but family stress can feel different due to it being
experienced within intimate family relationships. There are many types of stress, with
the three main types being acute, acute episodic, and chronic. Family stressors can be
any of these three, but due to the rhythm of life, episodic acute stress may be
experienced on a regular basis when conflictual parents arrive home after work, or
monthly when financial stress is exacerbated when monthly bills are due.
Even if a particular stressor only seems to affect one member of a family, the
interrelationships lead to each family member being affected in some way by the stress.
In addition, stressors that are located within the family system can feel more intense due
to them being within the relationships that we typically rely on to help us handle external
stressors. Whether it is external or internal family stress, it can disrupt everyone’s
wellbeing.
Stress is not necessarily a bad thing. Some stressors generate eustress, which is positive
stress. These stressors are positive events, such as starting a new job, taking on new
responsibilities, or going on a first date. Conversely, negative stress, or toxic stress,
generates unhealthy psychological distress and can play havoc with physical health, as
well.
C. Abusive
Certain life situations, such as single parenting, domestic violence, and other stressful
events, can contribute to the likelihood of maltreatment, particularly when parents are
isolated socially or lack sufficient emotional or financial support. Stress resulting from
job changes, loss of income, health problems, or other aspects of the family environment
can increase the level of conflict in the home and affect the ability of parents to cope or
find support.
Protective factors that can help promote healthy families include positive relationships
within the family, supportive relationships with peers, the ability to communicate
effectively, strong parent-child relationships, and more.
Family violence (also called domestic violence) is the use of violence, threats, force or
intimidation to control or manipulate a family member, partner or former partner. In
such a relationship, there is an imbalance of power where abusive behaviour or violence
is used to control others.
Not all family violence is caused by men, but research shows that men are most often the
Coercive control in the context of family violence is complex and can be challenging to
describe and define. Although the tactics and pattern of behaviours used by each
perpetrator and the experience for each victim-survivor is unique, coercive control is
common to all experiences of family violence. It significantly impacts on the safety,
autonomy, health and wellbeing of all victim-survivors, ultimately robbing them of their
sense of identity and liberty.perpetrators of violence in domestic relationships, and
women and children are often the victims. In Australia, 1 in 3 women have experienced
physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by a man they know.
Family violence can occur in any kind of family relationship, including between couples,
family members, and against people who are elderly or disabled.
Although family violence can affect anyone, regardless of their social or economic
status, or their racial and cultural background, some people are at greater risk, including:
Gender inequality between men and women, including deeply held beliefs about
masculinity, is a significant factor that contributes to the high rate of violence by men
towards women in relationships.
II. Mental health
The impact of family dynamics on mental health is a subject of growing interest and
importance in the field of psychology. Families are the cornerstone of our lives, shaping
our experiences, beliefs, and behaviors. It comes as no surprise, then, that family
dynamics play a significant role in our mental well-being. In this article, we will delve
into the intricate relationship between life and mental health, examining how different
aspects of dynamics can contribute to the development or exacerbation of issues.
Furthermore, we will explore the vital role of family support, communication patterns,
conflict resolution, parental influence, history, nurturing environments, and social
support in shaping individuals. Understanding these factors is crucial for assessing and
treating mental healthconcerns effectively, as well as promoting resilience and recovery
within the family unit.
One of the most significant ways in which life affect is through the support it provides.
Emotional support, encouragement, and validation within the family system are vital for
maintaining positive mental well-being. When family members feel heard, understood,
and loved, it enhances their sense of belonging and self-worth, reducing the risk of
issues such as depression and anxiety.
Additionally, practical support and resources offered by families can be instrumental in
helping individuals with challenges access appropriate treatment and cope with daily life
stressors. Family support has been shown to have a positive impact on treatment
outcomes and the recovery process, emphasizing the importance of a strong support
network in promoting well-being.
Conflict is an inevitable part of family life, but how it is managed and resolved greatly
impacts mental well-being. Ongoing or unresolved family conflict can have profound
psychological and emotional effects on individuals. Marital conflicts, sibling rivalry, or
parent-child conflicts can create a hostile and tense environment that is detrimental to
mental health. It can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and strained
relationships. Developing effective conflict resolution skills and promoting healthy
communication is key to managing and resolving conflicts, ultimately fostering better
mental well-being for all family members.
A. Anxiety
Family studies have consistently reported a large overlap between anxiety disorders in
family members. Children of parents with anxiety disorders have an elevated rate of
anxiety disorders (Beidel and Turner, 1997, Biederman et al., 1991, Merikangas et al.,
1998, Turner et al., 1987), and parents of children with anxiety disorders also experience
an increased incidence of anxiety disorders compared to the general population (Last et
al., 1987, Last et al., 1991). Rates of anxiety disorders in some of the cited studies were
not only elevated compared to normal groups, but also compared to other psychiatric
groups, suggesting that the transmission of anxiety may be specific. Therefore, parental
anxiety is generally seen as a risk factor for child anxiety disorders. However, the
mechanisms through with parents transmit their anxious predisposition or disorder to
their children, are not well understood.
The first mechanism that can explain the overlap between parental and child anxiety
disorders is genetic transmission. Indeed, behaviour genetic studies estimate that up to
50% of anxiety predisposition, like behavioural inhibition (BI), anxiety sensitivity, or
fear of negative evaluation, is inherited (e.g., Robinson et al., 1992, Stein et al., 2002).
Dispositions like BI, which make children vulnerable to anxiety disorders, have
however, been found to be highly unstable: the majority of infants with BI do not
maintain these dispositional characteristics as they mature (Kagan & Snidman, 1999).
Family variables may act as protective factors against the stability of a temperament that
puts children at risk for anxiety disorders.
Whereas the heredity of an anxious predisposition has been found to be as high as 50%,
the estimated heredity of anxiety disorders, in comparison, is lower: around 30% (e.g.
Kendler, Neale, Kessler, Heath, & Eaves, 1992). It should be noted further that this
genetic component might in fact be overestimated. The chance of dizygotic twins both
being anxious is smaller than for monozygotic twins, and if both twins are anxious, they
are likely to reinforce each other's behaviour (DiLalla, Kagan, & Reznick, 1994). Family
factors are likely contributors to the development of anxiety disorders from (inherited)
anxiety disposition within families and may explain the large overlap of anxiety
disorders within families.
B. Sadness
Many young people described complex relationships within the family and some felt that
these problems had triggered off or contributed to their depression and low mood in the
first place. Some people had experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse at home,
been bullied, witnessed messy break ups between parents, and been bereaved. Others
described otherwise unsettled and tense home lives or said they “had never got on” with
their parent(s) or a stepparent. A few had experienced abandonment or rejection in
childhood which had left them with difficulties trusting people later on:
Some parents had struggled with their own problems; bereavement, relationship
breakdowns and illness. A few said that depression or mental health problems ran in
their family. For some this was a positive thing as their parents had firsthand experience
of how best to help and young people also felt relieved to know that depression wasn’t
something they had “brought on” themselves. One woman whose mother experienced
severe mental health problems had been a fulltime carer for her mum from an early age.
One man described the lack of attention and care he felt from his dad.
Difficulties at home caused drifts and arguments between some young people and their
families. One person describes how bad things had gotten in the family. “It would end up
probably fighting, things getting broken…police getting involved or one of us getting
arrested, I’ve been arrested loads of times from criminal damage for the house.”
For some young people, problems at home had gotten so bad that they had completely
“fallen out”, usually with one parent or one side of the family, and had decided to leave
or been “kicked out”. Some lived in supported housing, one woman was placed in care
and a few had been “bunking” with their friends. Some people preferred to have less
contact with their parent(s) or some family members but most said that the one thing
they hoped for was to “build bridges” with their parents and to be able to move back
home again. They felt “alone” and unsupported without their family around:
C. Anger
Family relationships are one of the strongest contributors to individual character
development. Many of us spend years trying to understand, erase, or copy the influences
of our family unit. The more established the pattern, the more challenging it is to change.
The effect of anger in families is usually apparent in the way that members relate with
one another.
Our earliest experiences communicating and relating to others occur within the family.
Relational patterns that include angry outbursts and/or behaviors are likely to reappear in
later relationships outside the family. The more established the pattern, the more
challenging it is to change. Many of us spend years trying to understand, erase, or copy
the influences of our family unit. Thankfully, professional family therapists with well-
designed treatment plans can help clients construct new patterns in their current
relationships that include healthier, more productive behaviors.
Anger may contribute to the development of a host of unhealthy patterns in
relationships. If allowed to continue unchecked, angry outbursts and threatening
behaviors tend to escalate. In relationships where calm, open dialogue is overshadowed
by rage-filled words and deeds, loving bonds among family members may be
camouflaged by heavy layers of resentment.
There is good news! Professional family therapists are trained to spot troublesome
patterns of interaction involving anger. Individuals committed to improving their
relationships through the hard work of therapy are generally rewarded with a renewed
sense of hope. Here are some ideas that may help individuals reorganize their own
thought patterns so that anger-producing thoughts and feelings are greatly reduced.
When feel anger rising, ask yourself, “Why am I choosing to be angry right now? I have
other choices. What choice would be more useful at the moment?
Before allowing hurt feelings to flourish, say, “I am going to choose not to be offended.
Now…what is the point they are making?
D. Depression
Many young people described complex relationships within the family and some felt that
these problems had triggered off or contributed to their depression and low mood in the
first place. Some people had experienced emotional, physical or sexual abuse at home,
been bullied, witnessed messy break ups between parents, and been bereaved. Others
described otherwise unsettled and tense home lives or said they “had never got on” with
their parent(s) or a stepparent. A few had experienced abandonment or prejection in
childhood which had left them with difficulties trusting people later on.
Some parents had struggled with their own problems; bereavement, relationship
breakdowns and illness. A few said that depression or mental health problems ran in
their family. For some this was a positive thing as their parents had firsthand experience
of how best to help and young people also felt relieved to know that depression wasn’t
something they had “brought on” themselves. One woman whose mother experienced
severe mental health problems had been a fulltime carer for her mum from an early age.
One man described the lack of attention and care he felt from his dad.
For some young people, problems at home had gotten so bad that they had completely
“fallen out”, usually with one parent or one side of the family, and had decided to leave
or been “kicked out”. Some lived in supported housing, one woman was placed in care
and a few had been “bunking” with their friends. Some people preferred to have less
contact with their parent(s) or some family members but most said that the one thing
they hoped for was to “build bridges” with their parents and to be able to move back
home again. They felt “alone” and unsupported without their family around.
Understanding depression in the family
Several young people said their parents didn’t understand mental health problems
or depression, especially in the beginning and some felt their parents had underestimated
the seriousness of their problems. A couple said their parents put their mood down to
“being a mopey teenager” or having “the teenage blues”. One woman describes how her
mum was too ill to notice her mental health problems.
III Communication
Communication is key component in a successful working family. You
communicate with members of the family not just with your words but using language
and behavior. If you use negative methods to communicate or avoid communicating at
all, this can make matters worse through adulthood and even affect who we become as
adults.
Poor family communication can include yelling, holding grudges, keeping secrets,
blaming, giving the silent treatment, using ultimatums or threats, labeling someone bad
instead of the behavior, and bringing harm. If these problems continue, you will never
feel close to your family anymore. The way parents talk to their kids or how siblings talk
to each other can impact their positive development when they are kids, teens, or young
adults. Young people can also get anxiety and depression if there are still ill feelings that
never left them. Kids can also develop behavioral problems when they do not respect
authority or deal with at-risk behavior like criminal activity and substance abuse.
Improper communication leads to false assumptions, feeling you can read their minds,
or always jumping to conclusions. When you do not know what is going on with people
in your family, it can lead to unnecessary worrying, fear, and concern that can lead to
stress. Arguments will start more easily. Your self-esteem could suffer and you will not
feel comfortable to talking to anyone in your family. If this disconnection continues to
go on, no one will have a care or concern for the other and your family will be broken.
The best way to improve family communication is to take some time away from your
busy schedule to have a talk with your family members. Make sure it is in a private
atmosphere with no distractions like the television or your phone. Listen to what the
other person is saying and ask how the other person is feeling. Repeat back what the
other person says if you are having trouble understanding. Show that you understand
how they feel by giving a gentle touch or a hug. Do not minimize the person’s feelings
by saying they are being dramatic or wrong for feeling how they feel. Otherwise, they
will not talk to you again. Speak the way that you would want someone to speak to you.
It is important to keep that line of communication going so that you will always have
your family in your life.

A. Misunderstanding
Conflict can happen when family members have different views or beliefs that clash.
Sometimes conflict can occur when people misunderstand each other and jump to the
wrong conclusion. Issues of conflict that are not resolved peacefully can lead to
arguments and resentment. It is normal to disagree with each other from time to time.
Occasional conflict is part of family life. However, ongoing conflict can be stressful and
damaging to relationships. Some people find it difficult to manage their feelings and
become intentionally hurtful, aggressive or even violent. Communicating in a positive
way can help reduce conflict so that family members can reach a peaceful resolution.
This usually means that everyone agrees to a compromise or agrees to disagree.
Sometimes, strong emotions or the power imbalances that can be present in relationships
are difficult to resolve and can only be addressed in a counselling situation.
Common causes of family conflict
It is well recognised that some of the stages a family goes through can cause conflict.
These may include:

 Learning to live as a new couple

 Birth of a baby

 Birth of other children

 A child going to school

 A child becoming a young person

 A young person becoming an adult.

B. Communication problem
Improper communication leads to false assumptions, feeling you can read their minds, or
always jumping to conclusions. When you do not know what is going on with people in
your family, it can lead to unnecessary worrying, fear, and concern that can lead to
stress. Arguments will start more easily. Your self-esteem could suffer and you will not
feel comfortable to talking to anyone in your family. If this disconnection continues to
go on, no one will have a care or concern for the other and your family will be broken.
The best way to improve family communication is to take some time away from your
busy schedule to have a talk with your family members. Make sure it is in a private
atmosphere with no distractions like the television or your phone. Listen to what the
other person is saying and ask how the other person is feeling. Repeat back what the
other person says if you are having trouble understanding. Show that you understand
how they feel by giving a gentle touch or a hug. Do not minimize the person’s feelings
by saying they are being dramatic or wrong for feeling how they feel. Otherwise, they
will not talk to you again. Speak the way that you would want someone to speak to you.
It is important to keep that line of communication going so that you will always have
your family in your life.
Every family is different and has a different way of communicating. What exactly is
communication to begin with? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as “the
process of transmitting information about ideas, attitudes, emotions or behavior.”
Communication happens not only with words, but also with body language and
behaviors. There is a famous quote which says, “You cannot, not communicate.”
Everything we do and say is a way to communicate with someone else.

C. Arguments
Disputes between you and your children are inevitable in family life. If your family
never has arguments, it probably means that issues are being avoided. To become
productive adults, children need to be able to voice their opinions - even if they disagree
with yours - and feel they are being taken seriously. Even so, you can and should keep
the negative impact of arguments to a minimum.
* Pick Your Battles
Be selective about the issues you fight over. When a potential problem arises, decide if it
is really worth the battle; some issues probably are not. For example, if your child wants
to wear an old pair of sneakers to school rather than the newer pair you recently bought
her, or if she wants to wear her hair a little longer than you would prefer, you might
decide to let her have her way, choosing to take a stand on more important matters
instead. Pick your battles carefully.
* Be Open
Let your child win sometimes. When you and your youngster argue, you need to do
more than listen to her point of view; when she presents a persuasive case, be willing to
say, "You convinced me. We'll do it your way." Let your youngster know that you value
her point of view, and that through communication, conflicts can be resolved - and that
sometimes she can win.
Conclusion:
The conclusion of family problems can vary depending on the specific situation.
Some families may be able to work through their issues and come out stronger, while
others may require outside help such as counseling or therapy. It's important to address
any underlying issues and communicate effectively in order to find a solution that works
for everyone involved.
Family problems can have varying outcomes depending on the specific circumstances.
Some families are able to overcome their issues and emerge stronger, while others may
need outside help such as counselling or therapy. It is important to address any
underlying issues and communicate effectively in order to find a solution that works for
all parties involved.
The importance of family problems lies in the fact that they can affect the well-being
and happiness of each member of the family. Addressing these problems can lead to
improved communication, understanding, and stronger relationships within the family
unit. Resolving conflicts effectively can prevent long-term negative effects on mental
health and overall quality of life.

References:
https://withtherapy.com/mental-health-resources/family-issues/
https://study.com/academy/lesson/how-family-conflict-affects-health.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4137648/
Bhargava S, Garg OP, Singhi S, Singhi P, Lall KB. Prevalence of behaviour problems in
Ajmer school children. Indian J Pediatr. 1988;55:408–15.choosingtherapy.com/family-
stress/#:~:text=Family%20stressors%20may%20vary%20across,they%20cause%20in
%20normal%20functioning.
(Helena
Slobodskaya)researchgate.net/publication/304194000_Behavioral_Problems_Effects_of
_Parenting_and_Family_Structure_on
(Child Welfare information Gateway) childwelfare.gov/topics/can/factors/family/
Morgan A, Chadwick H, 2009 betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/family-
violence-explained
Kayne Hodge mentalhealthcenter.org/family-life-affect-mental-health/#google_vignette
D.C. Beidel et al.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735805001625
https://healthtalk.org/depression-and-low-mood/parents-and-family
277S.WashingtonStreet,Suite210,Alexandria, VA
22314aamft.org/Consumer_Updates/Effect_of_Anger_on_Families.aspx
https://springboardcenter.org/the-effects-of-poor-family-communication/
https://healthtalk.org/depression-and-low-mood/parents-and-family
Conflict and negotiation, Children, Youth and Women’s Health Service, Department for
CommunityDevelopment,South Australian
Government.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/family-conflict
Samek, D. R., & Rueter, M. A. (2011).livingiths.org/resources/at-risk-help/risk-
behaviors/poor-family-communication
(AmericanAcademyofPediatrics)healthychildren.org/English/family-life/family-
dynamics/Pages/Family-Arguments.aspx