OVERVIEW
The family and community provide the foundation for the growth and
development of a pediatric client. Health promotion, maintenance, and restoration
activities can be supported or hindered by family dynamics and the presence
or absence of family and community support resources. Challenges presented
by family or community distress can severely limit a child’s successful progression
through the developmental stages of life. Understanding the basic concepts of
family and community dynamics helps the nurse to provide comprehensive
care to the pediatric client and family.
Foundational concepts- Family-centered nursing recognizes family support as a needed constant
in a child’s life. - The family, in addition to the child, is supported throughout the
health-care experience. - Collaboration with family is facilitated throughout hospital, commu-
nity, and home care. - Family advocacy includes enabling families to build on current
strengths and helping them maintain a sense of control over their lives. - Separation of the child from the family should be kept at a minimum
to reduce psychological distress. - In the home setting, the nurse is a visitor and should respect the authority
of the family. - Community support resources are crucial for families with a child
with special needs—developmental delay, sensory deficits (blindness,
deafness, etc.).
Roles and relationships - Family members often play more than one role in the family system.
Family roles:
Include but are not restricted to parent (mother, father, stepmother, step-
father, foster parent), child, sibling, provider, homemaker, or caregiver.
1(^4) Pediatric Nursing Demystified
Assimilated
Cohabitation family
Ethnocentric
Extended family
Gay/lesbian family
High-risk population
Nuclear family
Reconstituted/Binuclear family
Sibling
Stereotyping
Subculture