A Model for Predicting the Adaptation of Families to Medical Crisis: An Analysis of Role Integration

Summary. Medical crises produce conditions that precipitate rapid and extensive role transformation and increase families' vulnerability to the development of psychosocial problems that are secondary to the illness. Therefore, the incidence of these crises necessitate the development of strategies that will facilitate identification of those families at high risk for poor adaptation. This paper has presented a model for evaluating the effectiveness with which families will be able to cope with this kind of change and stress, based on assessment of their level of functioning prior to the crisis. Role theory provided the framework for the model, as the analysis of role behavior is particularly relevant to the underlying functional dynamics of family relationships. Although intervention has not been incorporated within the model, this assessment of family interaction can be used to suggest needed points of intervention.