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Fs 360 Case Study 2

This case study involves a family that experienced multiple traumatic events including the death of a premature infant, unhealthy family patterns, physical altercations between twin children, and the critical illness and eventual death of one of the twins from which the family was able to find greater love and appreciation for each other. Principles from family systems theory and cognitive behavioral therapy could help the family address unhealthy patterns and coping strategies. Risks included potential depression, withdrawal from the marriage, and exacerbating family tensions. Opportunities included strengthening faith and family bonds through difficult experiences. Relationship considerations and recommended coping strategies focused on improved communication, family counseling, therapy, and leveraging social support.

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109 views

Fs 360 Case Study 2

This case study involves a family that experienced multiple traumatic events including the death of a premature infant, unhealthy family patterns, physical altercations between twin children, and the critical illness and eventual death of one of the twins from which the family was able to find greater love and appreciation for each other. Principles from family systems theory and cognitive behavioral therapy could help the family address unhealthy patterns and coping strategies. Risks included potential depression, withdrawal from the marriage, and exacerbating family tensions. Opportunities included strengthening faith and family bonds through difficult experiences. Relationship considerations and recommended coping strategies focused on improved communication, family counseling, therapy, and leveraging social support.

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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Students Names: Meaghan Dawson, Andell Harms, Julia Gleason, Dave Lingren.

Link to Recording:
https://byui.zoom.us/rec/share/WfO7U1FdghuvHJMtAiNCFdVhCGRLWhyf8iJsI3Uts-
3ZaRVXusB-ag6Uijw0DMqO.B7xH1dazzgcW_YY5 Passcode: pCu8oAX@

CASE STUDY # 2
Before meeting with your group to discuss the case study, have this form completed
with your individual answers so that you can share your insights.
When you meet as a group, discuss the case and have a group leader (designated by
your instructor or decided amongst yourselves) take notes that summarize the overall
thoughts shared by everyone.
Your answers for each bullet point should be between 100-200 words in length.

● Briefly summarize the case:

Peter and Janette, a single mother, met and married. They hadn’t learned
healthy coping patterns in their families of origin. They dealt with the death of a
premature infant that caused a rift in their relationship and a continuing unhealthy
pattern. They had more children, including twins. The unhealthy patterns
included the children, who fought regularly with each other, including physical
altercations. One of the twins became very ill at age 6. The family joined together
to make the decision to take him off life support to give the equipment to
someone else who might benefit (Peter’s grandmother). The grandmother also
passed away soon after. This experience changed the family. They didn’t discuss
it, but conflict decreased significantly. They expressed more love and
appreciation. Tensions eased, and the parents relied more on each other.

● List any principles or concepts from the course that can be applied in
offering help or direction for this family:
● Family councils: Family councils would have helped with a lot of these situations,
including reducing the conflict in the family. They did have a council about taking
Jerry off life support, which helped their family.
● They experienced a truncated roller coaster of challenges with multiple traumatic
events grouped together. An understanding of this theory could help them
understand their recovery.
● Cognitive Behavior Therapy can be used to help them cope with their losses and
grief. It can also help with distorted thoughts the couple had in regard to their
relationship with each other.
● Family systems theory: unhealthy patterns were established early in the
marriage, which affected the entire family. Changing these patterns can improve
the family system.

● List relevant risks/dangers the family and its members face:


● Being able to identify any depression or anxiety issues that can arise from these
events among any family members.
● When the parents aren’t communicating with each other, they could talk to
children instead and cause a larger rift by making the children take sides.
● The parents’ relationship could be in danger if they don’t use better
communication and coping skills.
● Peter could withdraw into work, as he has done in the past, instead of growing
closer to the family.
● Janette could suffer depression, since she has a pattern of focusing on her
loneliness and negative feelings. She also could focus on her children only and
not on her marriage relationship.

● List relevant opportunities presented to this family as a result of this crisis:


● They were given the opportunity to spend more time together, especially while
Jerry was in the hospital. This time brought them closer to each other.
● Jerry’s health issues and death brought them closer to Heavenly Father and
increased their faith.
● Janette’s mother had lost her husband just before Janette and Peter lost their
first child, so that event brought Janette closer to her and made their relationship
stronger.
● Philip’s death was an opportunity for them to learn and plan better for the future,
although they didn’t seem to learn what they could have from this initial crisis.
● Taking Jerry off life support gave them a chance to serve another person (Peter’s
grandmother) by giving them additional time for her family to gather and say
good-bye.
● Jerry’s death gave the family greater love and appreciation for each other, which
strengthened their family bonds.
● Jerry’s older brother and his sister had similar dreams about Jerry that brought
them peace.

● Note important relationship considerations:


● Jerry was a twin, so his death would be really hard on his twin. His twin’s
relationships and mental health need to be considered.
● Peter had adopted Jennifer, so that relationship made the family more inclusive
and possibly gave Jennifer a sense of belonging to the family.
● The marriage relationship between Peter and Janette needs to be strengthened.
This will bless the whole family.
● The improvements in the relationship between the siblings needs to be protected
and fostered to continue.
● The relationship between the parents and the children probably improved with
greater appreciation and affection being expressed in the family.

● Recommended coping strategies:


● Have more (and regular) family councils with each other, so they know they’re
always on the same page. Starting and ending these councils with prayer will
also make a difference.
● They could rely on the Church and/or ecclesiastical leader, especially during this
time of crisis.
● Use cognitive behavior therapy to change their distorted thoughts, since
changing their thoughts about each other allowed them to rely more on each
other and be more patient and engaged.
● Couple’s therapy after the first loss would have been beneficial and could have
prevented a lot of issues during the intervening years between the crises.
● Focus on the positive. The family will be able to be grateful as they focus on the
good things that came from Jerry’s death, rather than on the negative feeling of
missing him in their family.

● Recommendation to supporting/involved parties:


● Friends and family can provide a non-judgmental listening ear.
● Extended family can express love and provide support.
● Mourn with them.
● Provide meals and other practical assistance, like help with the funeral.
● Share personal stories and things that have helped them.
● Friends can provide babysitting to allow the couple to have time together.
● Attend the funeral. The 500 attendees provided support for the elder brother, who
gave the eulogy.
● Providing a funeral luncheon so the family doesn’t have to worry about that.
● Giving professional referrals if they need it. This can be helpful to find a
counselor that has the right disposition for the family.
● Providing meals to the family.

● Additional resources you may provide/suggest:


● Community resources that can help with financial challenges, like a funeral.
● Professional counseling if needed to provide therapy and any needed extra
resources.
● The Gateway We Call Death by Russel M. Nelson
● Grief support groups to help them to know they are not alone in their trials. They
can also make friends this way that they can talk to about their struggles.
● A CBT workbook to help them learn about mindfulness
● Education on meditation so that they can take time to relax and be present in the
moment. That way they won’t get too overwhelmed with the kids, work, or
planning funerals.

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