HDFS 135 1st Edition Lecture 14The ABCX Model: “A” FactorThe A factor: the a factor is most commonly defied as the stressor event (such as divorce, suicide, death because of aids/HIV, fired from a job, bankruptcy)Stress event can be; Normative: those that are expected and predictable—the transition to parenthood, marriage, etc. Non-normative: those that are unexpected- sudden unemployment, sudden death, etc. Acute (short- term) or Chronic (on- going)Stressors and Events: Ordinary Stressors: Fixing Meals, dropping kids off at school, getting up, getting to work/school on time, finances to manage, cleaning house. Estimated that these stressors are responsible for 75-98% of the stress we experience. Stress events may be classified as volitional (chosen) or non-volitional (not chosen). Internal—inside the family (such as alcohol problems or divorce). External—Outside of the family (such as tornadoes, floods, recessions, disability due to illness).Stress Summary: In general: stressors are less difficult to cope with when they are expected, brief, chosen, and external. External factors can foster family unity. Not uncommon for several stressors to pile up.ABCX: “B” Factor:The B represents the family’s individual and collective coping resources that can be drawn on in response to a stressor event. Assets upon which family members can draw in response to a single stressor event or an accumulation of events: social—ties with family and These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.friends. Economic—money. Mental—intelligence and creativity. Physical—good health, proper diets, and exercises. Resources: Resources may be classified as: Individual resources: things such as intelligence, health, and individual psychological factors. Family Resources: Economic resources (money, assets, time), family integration, and family adaptability. Community Resources: outsidesupport systems; examples: church groups, extended families, social programs.Resources: Three things influence whether resources are effective and whether they aid or hinder the ability of the family to handle the stressor event: 1. How the resources are used 2. The situation in which they are utilized 3. The length of time for which they are employed.ABCX: “C” FactorThe C Factor is the family’s perception of the stressor event or the pile- up of events. TheC factor includes: perception of the situation as well as of the event, the availability of resources, what needs to be done to cope with the stressor event. Death is a good example: Grandfather is quite old and is suffering form cancer. Young father is killed in a logging accident.Coping: How a family perceives the event will also be supported by their coping style: Denial of difficulties versus dwelling on them, to be active versus reactive, blame others rather than oneself, the family’s definition of meaning is important in understanding their ability to cope with a stressor event.ABCX: “X” Factor:The x factor refers to the interplay among the B and C factors results in varying degrees of stress felt by a family. X = level of disruption. Usually a crisis has occurred when the old ways of doing things don’t work.Stress Range: Stress can range from low to high. Low- where the family is coping or adapting to the stressor event. High—where the family is in crisis. We usually experience disruption then recover but that is not always the case.Ways to cope at different levels:Stressor level- alter, remove or manage the source of stress by changing something. Planmajor events so they don’t all happen at the same time. PrioritizeAvoid Stress: remove yourself form situations. Say “no”. Say away from people who create stress in youAccept stress: If we are unable to avoid or alter the stress we must accept it. At this point we must do something about our resources (B) or attitude (C).Building Resources:Build Resources (B): Take parenting or cooking classes, hire a maid, and ask for helpAttitude:Perception Level: Change unrealistic and irrational beliefs. Look for positives in stressful situations. Discover the funny side. A family that is not able to successfully manage a stressor event may fall into crisis. In crisis, the family system becomes immobilized and the family can no longer perform its