Basic Concepts and Models of Family Stress

Abstract

The article's purpose is to introduce the reader to key concepts and models of family stress that family scientists have identified and developed. I describe process models of individual and family stress. I provide definitions for critical concepts in family stress theory and research and introduce the work of a number of contributors to family stress theory development: Hill and other early theorists, Antonovsky, Boss, Burr, Patterson, and the McCubbins. Measurement of stressors is addressed by examining instruments commonly used to tap stressors at the (a) micro level (daily hassles and uplifts), (b) meso level (life events), and (c) macro level (traumatic life events). I also consider the use of multiple indicators of stressors. I conclude with a description of commonly used individual- and family-level stress manifestation measures and discuss salutogenic paradigms of health.

Keywords:

• coping
• family stress
• hardiness
• stress process models
• resilience
• strain
• stressors
• trauma

The author would like to acknowledge and thank Sarah E. C. Malia, M.S., J.D., for her assistance with the literature search for this manuscript.