Impacts of Stress on a Family

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to pin point the causes of stress, and to figure out how family members can cope with the stressors surrounding them in hopes of making life simpler. Stress is very common in today’s world. From tangible stressors all the way to imagined ones, people cannot help but feel the burdens of its impacts. The good news is, there are always ways to reduce the affects it has on individuals, as well, on families. Family stress arises when one or more family members have something bothering them, which in turn causes everyone in the family to be stressed as well. This happens when a family’s demands to get things done are not met with their actual ability to do so. Stress is not good for anybody. It can ruin relationships, and even cause serious health problems. Once families find coping mechanisms, stress will be a thing of the past.

What is Stress?

According to the American Psychological Association, stress can be defined as “any uncomfortable emotional experience accompanied by predictable biochemical, physiological, and behavioral changes.” People who are affected by stress may describe the feeling as being worried or overwhelmed (American Psychological Association). Stress is not always bad, but most of the time it can be associated with causing serious health and social problems; it has the power to weaken relationships, and stops people from obtaining what they want or need (Murgia, 2015).

Stress becomes even worse when it engulfs a whole family. When this happens, it is referred to as family stress. (Clemson Extension, 2009). Family stress involves “a real or imagined imbalance between the demands on the family and the family’s ability to meet those demands” (Clemson Extension, 2009). Therefore, it is important for people of all ages to manage life stressors before they become bigger problems for themselves, as well as, the ones they love.

What Causes Stress?

A stressor is something that causes stress, whether they be positive or negative(Clemson Extension, 2009). With hundreds of stressors in our world, it is hard to say exactly which have an effect on which individuals and how badly. This makes experiencing stress an individual understanding, although many may recognize the same impacts of certain stressors. Typically any life event that can be difficult to deal with poses as a source of stress (Clemson Extension, 2009).

To help explain stressors more, they can be sorted into two categories: normative and non-normative. Normative stressors are expected situations or life events that cause stress (Walsh, 2006). I.e. financial problems, work related issues, moving, have a baby, or sending a child off to college.

Non-normative stressors are unexpected situations or life events that cause stress; they are harder to bounce back from than normative ones because they are volatile (Walsh, 2006). Unpredictability makes it impossible for individuals and family members to plan ahead. I.e. a death in the family, the loss of a job, learning of a terminal illness, or addiction. Individuals may experience both types of stressors at once, making it more difficult to cope with.

Some of the worst stressors for families come from financial problems, work related issues, and family transitions. Financial problems make couples feel weak and could cause a lot of fights between the two. Children have to listen to these arguments and learn what it is like to receive the bare minimum. Work issues should stay in the workplace, but more often than not, they make their way home. If this happens, family members are forced to relive the negatively that their loved one experienced at work. This can interfere with relationships. Family transitions can be hard on ones who fear change, or even people who are not used to change. Everyone in a family has to endure the pain of any stressor that impedes on their household.

Types of Stress and Signs of Each

Stress can be categorized into three types based on the extremity of its impacts: acute, episodic acute, and chronic. Depending on the type of stress one is dealing with, gone unnoticed, it can physically, mentally, and emotionally harm one’s health.

Acute stress is the most common form of stress that people face and is considered to be short-term (American Psychological Association). It stems from the demands of the recent past and near future, or every day stressors (American Psychological Association). Usually, this type of stress can be considered harmless, but anything for too long can become toxic. Signs of acute stress may include: muscular problems, tension headache, back pain, jaw pain, stomach aches, heartburn, chest pain, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, dizziness, and shortness of breath (American Psychological Association).

Episodic acute stress is acute stress that occurs frequently (American Psychological Association). A person having episodic acute stress may not experience the same feelings as before because their everyday stressor may be different each time. Signs of episodic acute stress may include: panic and nervous energy (American Psychological Association).

Chronic stress is the worst type of stress that anyone could deal with. It is caused by unmanaged everyday stressors (American Psychological Association). People who suffer from this type of stress experience it on a long-term basis and cannot seem to find any solutions to the problem. Signs of chronic stress may include: Suicide, violence, heart attack, stroke, and cancer (American Psychological Association).

Research has shown that while everyday stressors can be managed by adapting to situations, chronic stressors can “adversely affect the immune, cardiovascular, neuroendocrine and central nervous systems” (American Psychological Association). Physically, the body cannot handle the pressure, and so illnesses like heart disease, obesity, and weight loss become an issue (American Psychological Association). Mentally, one is unable to think straight. Their mind becomes too full of worry, and solutions become harder to reach. Emotionally, all types of fear take over and anxiety and depression set in (American Psychological Association).

In order to avoid the listed health problems from occurring, it is necessary for individuals experiencing stress to conquer it as soon as it starts. This will also end the spreading