MODULE 4:

 Identify sources of stress that might be experienced by this family.

 Examine resources you think might be helpful both in hospital and
in the community. 
 Identify sources of strength within the family.
 What challenges would you face in addressing the family's needs?

This family lives in a constant fear that they might lose their child anytime. A life
full of fear, depression and anxiety is like undeserved punishment for the parents.
As Sterling mother said, “For an hour I screamed in the pouring rain. That was
thirteen years ago, and there hasn’t been a moment of relaxation since then”
(Humans of New York, 2016). Belly et al. (2014) explains , “Parents lived in a
constant state in which the threat of their child's death was relentless and an
ongoing daily challenge.”
There are several sources of stress in this family. First , the life of uncertainty that
their son Sterling was living. Secondly, the poor health condition of Sterling since
he was blind and has seizure everyday. Then the complicated treatment of Sterling
and its results. Round the clock care giving responsibility of the parents is a
challenge too. This stress causes negative impact on mental and physical health of
the parents and the child. According to Cousino & Hazen, 2013, “ Stress can cause
feelings of inadequacy which can lead to poor health outcomes for the child and
other family members as well.” 
I can provide parents family therapy which includes behavioral interventions, so
they can remain composed and calm in stressful situations. Morawska et al. (2015)
recommend strategies for anxiety prevention and management . That will also build
their resilience and improves their coping skills in this time of distress. I will also
offer twice a week play therapy to Sterling to improve his psychosocial well being.
These therapies can overall improve their quality of life. If the family has financial
burden due to Sterling’s illness, I can connect them with government resources
which may help them with their finances. I can connect them to other community
services like recreational centre where they will be exposed to different healthy
activities which can give them some mental relief and they will also meet with
people who can morally support them in this difficult time. I can also connect them
to play therapist in hospital who can engage Sterling in playful activities during his
visit to hospital. I can also recommend parenting program for Sterling parents
which teaches them positive parenting skills and stress management which will
ultimately improve their quality of life. Programs have also been effective in
improving a number of parental outcomes including reducing dysfunctional
parenting styles, increasing parental self-efficacy, and decreasing parental stress
(Nowak and Heinrichs, 2008). According to Morawska (2014), “if parents are
more effective in managing their child’s illness through a more consistent
approach, focused on routine and skill building, the quality of life for the child and
family is likely to improve and the parents should experience less stress.”
The source of strength with the family is support, love and hope that they can give
each other. Hope helps them to move forward. As Belly et al. (2018) defines, “The
purposeful use of hope supported parents in Moving Forward by adjusting and
adapting to uncertainty and their related feelings of fear, loss and grief, lack of
control, and intense emotions.” The bonding between the family members have
empowered them which helps them to face the challenges of life so far.
Being a social worker, the biggest challenge that I can face while addressing the
needs of this family is how to give them hope and a positive outlook since they
have been suffering with extreme depression and frustration for years. They have
lost hope. I will use best of my knowledge and experience to help this family.
Though they are a strong family but there are instances when parents are
emotionally shattered and lose hope.
Word count: 609

Bally, J. M., Smith, N. R., Holtslander, L., Duncan, V., Hodgson-Viden, H., Mpofu, C., &
Zimmer, M. (2018). A metasynthesis: Uncovering what is known about the experiences of
families with children who have life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses. Journal of
Pediatric Nursing, 38, 88-98.
Morawska, A., Calam, R., & Fraser, J. (2015). Parenting interventions for
childhood chronic illness: A review and recommendations for intervention design
and delivery. Journal of Child Health Care, 19(1), 5–17.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1367493513496664

Humans of New York. (2016). Pediatric cancer. Retrieved May 22, 2022, from
https://www.humansofnewyork.com/tagged/pediatric-cancer#3