Disability is considered a family affair. The family member with a disability is not the only one affected by the setback but also the rest of the family, being the primary caregivers. They also experience various emotions, such as sorrow, guilt, anxiety, uncertainty, or incompetence.
Despite these difficult circumstances, caring for family members with a disability is not necessarily considered a negative experience. Some families can adapt and adjust over time. It is often not the disability that affects the families, but how they react to it and thrive as a family. Resilient families accept the disability as part of their family life and incorporate it into their new family realities.
Family resilience is the ability of the family to endure difficult times, make meaning of the challenges that they face, and bounce back from adversity. It shows their care for each other and belief that they can work together to help the family.
Important family processes in cultivating family resilience
- Supportive environment
Having supportive family members promotes family resilience in times of crisis. It is an essential factor in recovery. As the family member with a disability thrives on fighting the difficulties, it alleviates the suffering of the family members. In turn, the family members recognize and nurture that effort, creating room for growth. - Family coherence
Working together in utilizing available internal and external resources in adjusting to stressful life events contributes to the family’s resilience, restoring stability. - Family flexibility
Displaying flexibility in adapting to the changing needs, such as attending first to the needs of the family member with a disability and gradually shifting to the family members’ needs and priorities, helps maintain a balance between empowerment and reassurance. It highlights mutual support and collaborative caregiving without becoming enmeshed.
How to nurture family resilience
- Highlight protective factors such as supportive environment, adaptive personalities, or open communication.
- Spend time with family and continue good family practices such as celebrations, routines, or family traditions.
- Redefine the crisis as a challenge and identify ways on how to adapt as a family.
- Foster a strong committed relationship between family members.
- Seek support from grandparents, extended family, friends, school, professional help, or self-help groups.
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