The Impact of Serious Illness On The Family System

Abstract

Serious illness often precipitates a crisis within the family, throwing the highly organized family system into disequilibrium. Established roles and rules must change to meet the crisis, and the family needs to reorganize to gain a new equilibrium. The way in which they carry out this process can dramatically affect the sick person and the outcome of his illness. At times the reorganization can be disruptive functionally and emotionally to other family members.