The family stress theory and the family systems theory could be applied to The Gray Family case study. Maria Gray is considering going back to school for nursing. She used to be a nurse’s aide but quit to stay home when she had her baby who is now 8, along with a 6 and 4-year-old. The family stress theory could be applied this this case study because a sudden change occurring in this family can increase the likelihood of stress. It will cost money for Maria to return to school and she will have less time to take care of normal tasks at home. The family systems theory could be applied because this change is going to affect each member of the family. Maria’s husband John may have to complete tasks Maria usually does to allow her time to study and her children may feel her absence more than normal, which will require them to take on new roles to sustain family unity.

I believe the family stress theory most accurately illustrates The Gray Family case study. The changes that are inevitably going to occur as a result of Maria’s return to nursing school can cause stress on the family. Tuition for school may affect the family’s income and resources while the children and John may have to take on new roles such as preparing dinner or completing chores to make up for Maria’s absence. Depending on how the family adapts to these changes will affect the degree of stress they experience. Some families are unable to adapt to stress which can lead to a family crisis, in which new coping strategies are needed. Maintaining healthy communication with each other can provide a family with an increased chance of successful adaptation to changes in their lives. It can relieve some of the stress these changes cause to ensure that stress doesn’t go unmanaged and lead to a lack of family functioning that causes a family crisis to occur.

Having knowledge about the family stress theory will help family practitioners to predict possible factors leading to family stress and assist a family depending on their situation to provide an adequate solution to manage their stress. It provides them with the ABC-X Model of Family Stress and Crisis, which is a tool in deciphering the aspects of family stress, such as what event caused the stress (A), the coping strategies and resources a family possesses to deal with it (B), how a family perceives the stressful event (C), and whether they are able to manage following the event (X). Being able to adequately identify these key components to family stress can help a practitioner support a family experiencing stress and improve their functioning to facilitate unity within the family. Knowing about the family stress theory not only helps practitioners pinpoint the reasoning and solutions for family stress but also informs them on ways to treat that stress to keep it from escalating to a family crisis.

In exactly ten words, I would describe this theory as: A helpful tool in determining, treating, and preventing family stress.