Family-related stress can be attributed to various factors such as dealing with a family member's terminal illness, the loss of a loved one, the effects of financial hardships or coping with rape and incest. Other stress factors include sibling rivalry among adults and minors, domestic violence and coping with a mental physical impairment. As with life, a certain amount of stress, particularly family stress, is unavoidable.
Warning Signs
Families under stress have reported behaviors such as limited time together, ongoing disputes, avoidance, frequent mood changes in parents and children, extreme tension at dinnertime and bedtime, decreased affection and physical contact, and difficulty paying attention in school and/or work.
Loss of a Loved One
Dealing with grief in the family can be stressful as the individuals try to cope and began the healing process for their loss. As family members go through the grief process, they may encounter difficulty accepting death and dying, unexpected expenses, increased sadness and/or guilt, and anger. Although grief can sometimes pull a family together, it can also cause distance. Because members grieve in different ways and times, such a loss may increase the person's need to be isolated, feelings of depression and longing to be with the deceased.
Financial Hardship
The strain of managing bills and the cost of living with a limited income can greatly increase family stress and conflict. According to Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, such financial hardship increases a person's risk of developing problems like depression, anxiety and compulsive behaviors such as overeating, excessive gambling, spending and substance abuse.
The impact on the family can be emotional as well as mental. A family coping with financial hardship and its stress tend to exhibit frequent verbal conflicts, the inability to cope, and feelings of apathy about important issues.
Coping
Coping with family stress is not easy and requires commitment, focus and support from all involved. Identifying and increasing a family strength's includes first identifying the sources of the stress, managing crises and conflict in a positive manner, accepting responsibility and the need for change, respecting each other's feelings, thoughts, and ideas, and encouraging open communication through words and action. Seeking professional help such as family counseling may also help the family cope and manage family stress.
