It’s believed that the family therapist Nathan Ackerman invented the term “dysfunctional family” in the ‘50s. In the 21st century, we’ve become accustomed to hearing about such families. From portraying this problem in Family Guy to depicting narcissistic parenting in Succession – we now have more information to stabilize these unfunctional households.
So, how do we define a dysfunctional family? It’s a household where child neglect/abuse incidents have become so routine that everyone deems such behavior acceptable. Studies show that children with ADHD often grow in dysfunctional families. That’s why they require a public health official’s assistance to recover from the trauma they suffered.
How do public health experts help dysfunctional households?
Children living with such horrible parents/siblings become socially isolated since they can’t express their feelings/thoughts adequately. They’re also vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. We can see how dysfunctional households are characterized by an abusive person with a codependent person. Several reasons contribute to the creation of dysfunctional families, e.g., abuse, alcoholism, unhealthy attachments, and financial challenges. A public health expert specializes in understanding telltale symptoms of these families, e.g., a lack of privacy, empathy, independence, and communication. So, we’ll discuss here how these specialists implement strategies to eliminate this dysfunction properly.
From combating pandemics to mitigating abuse/neglect – public health officials perform many tasks for improving societal well-being. They collect information about public health and communicate it suitably to national policymakers and healthcare providers. If you possess a zeal to serve humanity, this profession might be the perfect pick for you. So, those aspiring for this field can pursue an MPH no GRE required and complete their education with ease. This digitally acquired learning will help them improve the lifestyle of adults/children suffering from household dysfunction. With their universal perspective, these experts can bring some stability into the lives of dysfunctional family members. Let’s see which strategies public health officials can implement now to rehabilitate victims of abuse/neglect.
Mitigating symptom
A public health expert researches to discover/regulate symptoms that indicate a person was raised in a dysfunctional household. The victims of childhood abuse/neglect suffer from anxiety or depression while feeling empty and isolated. They always feel guilty, consider themselves responsible for people’s welfare, and become people-pleasers. Lacking empathy, they’re in denial of the abuse/neglect they have faced. These families disrespect each others’ boundaries while tolerating improper behavior. A public health official develops strategies to stabilize such families by considering these symptoms. It helps them prove to the authorities that exposure to abuse leads to household dysfunction typically.
Influencing policies
As a policymaker, a public health expert influences government-imposed policies to help folks raised by abusive/neglectful parents. Studies show that public health officials have created a three-staged prevention mechanism to prevent household dysfunction. Primary prevention ensures that people realize the family system’s importance in individual development and societal well-being. In secondary prevention, healthcare practitioners diagnose mental issues arising from abusive breeding. The final stage involves rehabilitation that helps victims overcome their symptoms. It lets them move on to a healthier lifestyle. That’s how effective policymaking assists at-risk generations.
Spreading awareness
Policymakers can motivate healthcare practitioners to spread awareness regarding being raised in a dysfunctional household. Consequently, this awareness can help more people realize that their homes are abusive because of their parents/siblings. It also enables friends/family to ensure if certain families are behaving with their children inappropriately. So, people can report a family after observing the “warning signs” of abuse and neglect, which 1 in 7 American children have experienced. Reports also indicate that parents are predominantly the perpetrators in 76% of child abuse cases. So, awareness allows everyone to remain vigilant, parents to learn if they’re abusive, and survivors to access treatment facilities they need for recovery.
Hold family meetings
Healthcare professionals’ research agrees that dysfunctional households have six cliché roles that cause these families to malfunction. Public health experts study these six roles even further to understand how they affect each other. Let’s explain these six roles here first:
- Addict or the center of attention in the family
- Scapegoat or the one who always gets the blame by the abuser
- Mascot or the one who uses humor to keep everyone happy
- Golden child or the one who becomes a perfectionist in the family
- Enabler or the one who lives in denial while keeping the family together
- Lost child or the one who lives in the background and doesn’t get any attention
So, experts can meet with these families to understand which person occupies which function in a dysfunctional household. It allows officials to give that person access to help according to their circumstances. That’s how any interventions are successful in our community.
Combating substance abuse
There are many forms of dysfunctional families. Some families utilize threats/violence to control the child, whereas others have parents addicted to drugs, alcohol, or gambling. Some studies have even identified alcoholism as the leading cause of household dysfunction. So, public health officials make sure that such families receive treatment opportunities to overcome their addictions. People who suffer from substance abuse seek professional intervention to recover from these addictions. So, these addicts require access to therapy/counseling for speedy healing. Public health experts arrange for these individuals to get the help they need and realize how their behavior has created a dysfunctional family.
Limiting the occurrence of people-pleasers
We’ve explained how victims of abuse/neglect become people-pleasers since they’re obsessed with keeping everyone happy. Public health experts have introduced evidence-based procedures for helping such children. Called Communities That Care, this prevention system addresses problematic behaviors among youngsters. This model can help scapegoats realize that they can say “no” to other people. Learning how to resist people’s wrong demands, victims can heal quickly from their trauma.
Conclusion
Public health experts have declared that health begins from home and family composes the “basic unit” of a person’s individual/communal well-being. Regrettably, several families experience challenges that prevent them from functioning like an average household. It’s hard not having an emotional connection with your parents, siblings, or relatives. Public health officials stabilize such families by bringing that connection back.
These experts promote healthier lifestyles by implementing educational programs, conducting research, and influencing policies that help dysfunctional households. They mitigate symptoms indicating that you suffered from abuse/neglect, thereby getting you access to therapy and counseling. Moreover, public health officials spread awareness and intervene professionally to create stability in such families. Their struggle can restore your domestic lifestyle so you may develop a healthier personality later in your life.
