Relationships Influence Health: Family Theory in Health‐Care Research

Abstract

Relationships Influence Health: Family Theory in Health-Care ResearchThis article reviews the presence of family theory in health-care research. First, we demonstrate some disconnect between models of the patient, which tend to focus on the individual, and a large body of research that finds that relationships influence health. We summarize the contributions of family science and medical family therapy and conclude that family science models and measures are generally underutilized. As a result, practitioners do not have access to the rich tool kit of lenses and interventions offered by systems thinking. We propose several possible ways that family scientists can contribute to health-care research, such as using the family as the unit of analysis, exploring theories of the family as they relate to health, and suggesting greater involvement of family scientists in health research.Health-care literature has several different models that explain patient behavior, typically using the individual as the unit of analysis. Family researchers, however, have noted that social situations, families, relationships, and external factors strongly influence both health and health decision making. Research-often conducted by cardiologists, nurses, and others from outside family science-has shown strong empirical support for the interrelationship of

Personal networks and associations with psychological distress among young and older adults

“…Future research should also seek to examine longitudinal data and network selection effects (discussed in the limitations section), which may have masked potential findings among the younger cohort. Additionally, some scholars posit that buffering theory needs to be further elucidated within network research, such that family ties, in particular, can serve as both support and as a stressor (Garris and Weber, 2018). Further distinguishing exchange types by familial versus non-familial network ties (Fiori et al, 2006) and considering the effect of increasingly diverse family structures (Grzywacz and Ganong, 2009) are important future areas of research, allowing us to better understand the ways in which network characteristics can be targeted for mental health promotion among both young and older adults (Kawachi and Berkman, 2001).…”

Family dynamics in dementia care: A phenomenological exploration of the experiences of family caregivers of relatives with dementia

“…Garris and Weber (2018) highlight the importance of family research which focuses on social situations, families and relationships because they have a significant affect on health and health decision‐making. It is important that mental health nurses understand the factors that influence the burden of family caregivers to enhance the efficacy of the particular healthcare intervention that they provide (Mitrani et al, 2006).…”

“…Furthermore, adult children often may not receive assistance and support from healthcare professionals, because they are not considered to be the main caregivers for their parents with dementia, especially when there is a second parent or a spouse of the parent still living (Namkung et al, 2017). Garris and Weber (2018) highlight the importance of family research which focuses on social situations, families and relationships because they have a significant affect on health and health decisionmaking. It is important that mental health nurses understand the factors that influence the burden of family caregivers to enhance the efficacy of the particular healthcare intervention that they provide (Mitrani et al, 2006).…”

Older Adults and Their Families: An Interactional Intervention That Brings Forth Love and Softens Suffering

“…All relationships occur within interactions, and they strongly influence both health and health decision-making (Bell, 2011; Garris & Weber, 2018; Rolland, 2018; Wright & Bell, 2009; Wright & Leahey, 2013). So, the question arises: How do health professionals, particularly nurses, best assess the interactional patterns in families with an older adult(s) and offer ways of relating that are more helpful and caring during illness experiences that often invite suffering?…”