Resilience in families in which a parent has been retrenched

Date
2000-12
Authors
Der Kinderen, Susan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Family Resilience is a relatively new construct describing how families recover after experiencing stress and adversity. Defined within the salutogenic paradigm, resilience implies the ability to bounce back after being "stretched" or challenged, as well as being able to rise above adversity and to survive stress. Using a cross-sectional, survey research design the present study aimed to further explore and explicate those resiliency factors which enable families to maintain established patterns of functioning when threatened by risk factors. It also aimed to examine those recovery factors which foster the families ability to bounce back from crisis and disruption. Teachers who had accepted the voluntary severance package from the South African Department of Education between 1996 and 1998 were approached to take part in this study on behalf of their family. Thirty participants completed a biographical questionnaire as well as the Family Index of Regenerativity and Adaptation (FIRA-G) which measures the major components of the Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation (McCubbin & Thompson, 1991). Results confirmed the relationship between family stressors, family strains and family distress, implying that if stressors and strains are not managed, they pile up, deplete resources and lead to family tension and stress (Lavee, McCubbin & Patterson, 1985; Lavee et al. 1987; McCubbin & Patterson, 1983). Results also highlighted the protective nature of good financial management, suggesting that there are measurable factors which act as crisis-meeting resources, diminish the negative impact and degree of the stressor and ultimately foster resilience and facilitate recovery. Finally, social support was highlighted as a resilience variable. Family schema (encompassing concepts of reframing and spiritual support) remains one of the crucial factors which contributes towards, firstly, the resistance of decay in the face of stressors, and secondly, which facilitates the recovery trajectory. It is maintained that this could be one of the most crucial factors for ongoing investigation in resiliency research.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gesinsveerkragtigheid ("resilience") is 'n relatiewe nuwe konstruk wat verwys na gesinne se vermoë om te herstel nadat hulle spanning en terugslae ervaar het. Dit word beskryf vanuit die salutogenese paradigma en word gedefinieer as gesinne se vermoë om terug te bons nadat hulle teenspoed ervaar het. 'n Dwarsnit navorsingsontwerp is gebruik om die twee aspekte van gesinsveerkragtigheid, naamlik weerstand en herstel, te ondersoek en te beskryf. Weerstandsfaktore verwys na dié faktore wat gesinne in staat stelom gevestigde patrone van funksionering, tydens bedreiging deur risiko-faktore, te handhaaf, terwyl herstel-faktore verwys na dié faktore wat gesinne se vermoë om terug te bons na 'n krisis, bevorder. Onderwysers wat tussen 1996 en 1998 die vrywillige uittredingspakket van die Departement van Onderwys aanvaar het, is genader om namens hul gesinne deel te neem aan hierdie ondersoek. Dertig deelnemers het 'n biografiese vraelys sowel as die "Family Index of Regenerativity and Adaptation" (FIRA-G) voltooi. Die FIRA-G vraelyste meet die hoofkomponente van die "Resiliency Model of Family Stress, Adjustment and Adaptation" (McCubbin & Thompson, 1991 ). Resultate het die verband tussen gesinstressors, gesinspanning en gesinsnood bevestig, met die implikasie dat indien 'n opeenhoping van stressors en spanning nie hanteer word nie, gesinshulpbronne uitgeput word en dat dit tot gesinspanning en stres kan lei. Die beskermende aard van goeie finansiële bestuur is bevestig. Sosiale ondersteuning is geïdentifiseer as 'n belangrike faktor in gesinsweerstand. Gesinskemas, wat herformulering en geestelike ondersteuning insluit, blyk 'n deurslaggewende gesinsveerkragtige faktor te wees en behoort in die toekoms verder ondersoek te word.
Description
Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000.
Keywords
Resilience (Personality trait), Stress management, Stress (Psychology), Unemployment, Work and family, Families -- Psychological aspects, Families -- Mental health, Dissertations -- Psychology, Theses -- Psychology
Citation