The Impact of Different Life Crises
Stress and everyday annoyances are not crises. Situations that interfere with normal activity, inspire feelings of panic or defeat, and bring about deep emotional reactions are crises. A crisis is a 'turning point'; or a crucial time that will make a difference for better or worse. The Chinese word for 'crisis'; is made up of two characters -- one means despair and the other means opportunity. When a person experiences crisis, there will either be a negative outcome or a positive one. The direction of the outcome depends on a number of factors such as -- physical and emotional health of the individual, support from others, childhood upbringing, past experience with similar situations, and the duration of the crisis situation. I propose to focus specifically on the life crises with which the elderly population faces, notably the loss of a spouse or companion, retirement, and contending with a terminal illness. Through examining the latter crises and their potential to influence the health of an elderly individual, I expect to learn of means by which the elderly may give way to in order not to become overwhelmed with the changes.
Different life crises have different impacts. In many cases, however, it may be possible to anticipate crises and prepare for them. It may also be useful to recognize the impact of crises that have occurred so that one can take account of them appropriately. Holmes and Rahe with the Social Readjustment Scale have done some very interesting work in this area. This allocates a number of 'Life Crisis Units'; to different events, so that one can evaluate them and take action accordingly (Niven 99). While this approach is obviously a simplification of complex situations, using LCUs can give one a useful start in adjusting to life crises. With regards to the elderly population, namely the events 'death of a spouse';, 'personal illness or injury';, and 'retirement'; rate 100, 53, and 45 LCUs respectively. One of the most powerful stressors in one's life, particularly in the elderly population, is the loss of a loved one or a close relationship through the death of a spouse or companion. In the two years following bereavement, widowed people are more susceptible to illness and physical ailments, and their mortality rate is higher than expected. Bereaved people may be vulnerable to illness in part because, feeling unhappy, they do not sleep well, they stop eating properly, and they consume more drugs and cigarettes.
Contrary to the similarities of both models, The ABC Model of Crisis Intervention is used as an assessment consisting of three components: A- achieving contact, B-boiling the problem down to basics and C-coping (Kanel, 2010). Kanel (2010) suggest that the ABC Model of Crisis Intervention is designed for a client whose functioning level has decreased following a psychosocial stressor. It’s most effectively applied within 4 to 6 weeks of the crisis. The Seven Task of Assessment consists of the following seven tasks: (1) Initiating Contact, (2) Defining the Crisis, (3) Providing Support, (4) Examining Alternatives, (5) Re-establishing Control, (6) Obtaining Commitment, and (7) the Follow Up (James, 2013). The Seven Task Assessment is a more detailed assessment focusing solely on the difficulties faced by the client due to a severe crisis. It allows for a closer encounter with the client to evaluate the crisis’ severity, their current emotional status, alternative methods, support systems and coping
As reviewed, research has examined the interaction between stressful life events and the overall health of humans. This investigation will examine this relationship in a collegiate population, using two pen and paper surveys.
This paper will highlight and examine “survivors coping” from the text “Crisis Intervention: Promoting Resilience and Resolution In Troubled Times” by Echterling, Presbury, and McKee in relation to the effectiveness of crisis intervention.
The denial of child care for her two children’s has added fear, helplessness, hopelessness, loss, of control and guilt which impacts Katy health and contributed to worsening of her health. Katy was experiencing a situational crisis because of her medical condition and her concern to provide for her children. It occurs when an individual produces an overwhelming response as they confronted with a stressful event. Factors that contribute to Katy crisis are high demand to provide for her children, denial of child care services, medical condition, and a single parent. These factors play a critical role in her health outcome and progression of her disease and psychological state. Therefore, prolonged stress included adverse psychological and physical health effects as well as the increased risk of premature death (Denollet, J., et al.
The ABC model of crisis intervention refers to the conduction of very brief mental health interviews with clients whose functioning level has decreased following a psychosocial stressor also known as a crisis (Kanel, 2007). This method was first introduced by Gerald Caplan and Eric Lindemann in the 1940s, other variations of this model have developed over the years. The ABC model is a 3 step problem-focused approach used to provide temporary and immediate relief that has been known to work best when applied within 4 to 6 weeks of the precipitating event (Kaplan, 2007). The focus of the ABC model is to identify the aspects of a crisis or precipitating event, the client 's perceptions about the event, personal anguish, failed internal coping
It was common that the men in that time came from more stability from the families that raised them and were able to be the only one who had to work so the wife didn’t have to. Today, we have higher divorce rates, both parents often working in one household and different stressors that are dealt with by people these days. It seems that there are many diseases and illnesses that are burdening copious amounts of people that can be an added stress to someone or their loved ones. There can be different meanings of a midlife crisis for everyone and whether or not people even believe in a midlife crisis. One of the main new ideas that what can cause a midlife crisis, is the provocation of a stressful event or change in self. This idea has been researched some and as written in the article by Elaine Wethington said that outside events such as job loss or divorce could cause such a crisis in one’s life at that stage where a person in their forties is believing that their life may be coming to an end and they begin to think about the idea of death (2000.) There are many other theories where anyone can think of a reason as to why someone might be going through a midlife crisis. A mixture of the things that were stated can also be indicators as to why someone may be going through a midlife crisis. Not ever person goes through this while in the transitional stage, but both men and women have reported it. One of the main differences in the research today is that women are included in this because they can go through the same things and stressors in life that a man
Claar, R. L., & Blumenthal J. A. (2003). The value of stress-management interventions in life-
Aging and old age for a long time presented as dominated by negative traits and states such as sickness, depression and isolation. The aging process is not simply senescence most people over the age of 65 are not Senile, bedridden, isolated, or suicidal (Aldwin & Levenson, 1994). This change in perspective led the investigation of the other side of the coin. Ageing is seen as health, maturity and personal Royal growth, self-acceptance, happiness, generatively, coping and acceptance of age-related constraints (Birren & Fisher, 1995). Psychological und...
Late adulthood should be a time in a person's life where they feel fulfilled. They can look back on their memories and be happy with the way they have lived their life. Now, too many elderly people are not satisfied and look at this stage as depressing. Most fear death of either a loved one or for themselves. This topic is interesting to me because elderly people should make the best of their last stage of life. This topic discusses about getting older, the life changes that they go through physically, emotionally, and mentally. We should know more about it so that we can help our family and friends get through one of the best, yet toughest part of our mortal life.
Ageing is a continuing life cycle, it is an ongoing developmental event that brings certain changes in one’s own psychological and physical state. It is a time in one's own life where an elderly individual reminisce and reflect, to bask and live on previous accomplishments and begin to finish his life cycle. There is a significant amount of adjusting that requires an elderly individual to be flexible and develop new coping skills to adapt in the changes that are common in their new life. (Dhara & Jogsan, 2013).
The Theory of Caregiver Stress was a significant breakthrough for the reasoning of why caregivers are so deeply affected by this job. “The Theory of Caregiver Stress was derived from the Roy Adaptation Model to use as basis in understanding the relationships among caregivers and the stress faced when caring for a chronically ill relative” (Tsai, 2003). The Theory of Caregiver stress is a middle-range theory used to predict the outcome for stress and other various side effects (Dobratz, 2011). These adverse effects are predicted by: Demographic Characteristics, Burden in Caregiving, Stressful life events, Social Support and Social Roles. Also, because of the multitude of different scenarios and background for both the patient and the caregiver, these categories are necessary to compare and effectively use the results. The theory makes four main assumptions regarding adaption: “environmental change; the caregivers’ perceptions will determine how they will respond to the environmental stimuli; the caregivers’ adaptation is a function of their environmental stimuli and adaptation level, and lastly the caregivers’ effectors are results of chronic caregiving such examples include marital satisfaction and self-...
The purpose of this paper is for me to explore the ways I cope and deal with stressors in my life. I will be using multiple assessments such as a “Life Behavior Assessment” which helps me identify the healthy and unhealthy ways I cope when I am stress. I will also be using the “Self-care assessments” where I will assist multiple self-care areas in my life. After completing the “Self-care assessments worksheet” I will use the “My Maintenance Self-Care Worksheet” to go in depth about my current self care practices in the different areas and new practices that I can start doing.
When people experience a traumatic event it normally will have an impact on every facet of their being. God created us as triune being made of a body, soul (mind, will, and emotions). Crisis immediately impacts a person physically, cognitively, and emotionally. After some time has passed you can expect to see symptoms of the effects of the critical incident in relationships horizontally with family and friends; as well as the person’s vertical relationship with God. It is critical in crisis intervention that all three parts of a person be assessed and cared for appropriately to aid victims of crisis in healing from the critical incident.
As the client attempts to cope with the circumstance, various aspects of his life may be affected. In some way, the coping response of an individual to a health-related concern may be related to his Quality of Life
Iveniuk, J., Waite, L. J., Laumann, E., McClintock, M. K., & Tiedt, A. D article helps us understand some key reasons for conflict in previous or current marriages in old age. This category falls into the conflict theory because it shows how the dynamics of a marriage are affected and changed throughout illness and lack of positivity. The article showed that lack of positivity, and poor health was a main indicator for marital conflict, this leading to both divorce or depression. These findings also aid the understanding that men are better able to adapt to conflict and change thus allowing them to open themselves up into the senior dating world or even allow them to remarry with more ease if divorce or spousal death does occur due to the fact that in most cases men are more positive in dealing with spouses with poor health. This is most likely because respectable men feel the need to protect their loved ones while woman feel the need to protect their title as a mother, wife or simply woman. This allows this catagory to also fall under the labeling theory and also role theory as our self identity influence and determine our behaviour. If a woman views herself as a stressed individual she will carry out the attitudes and behaviors of a stressed individual. Woman carry a huge role as a “marri...