Families, transitions, and health: another look

This paper critically reviews the Caroff-Mailick classification of families seen around health care crises, and of reciprocal roles suggested for health social workers depending on severity and trajectory of illness and on family's functioning levels. As balance, transitional crisis theory, holistic health concepts, and team approaches to the mobilized family as the unit of caregiver attention are discussed. Newer alternative family styles are reviewed which challenge middle class caregiver mores and practices. Family forces which may prejudice worker assessment are reviewed, and the need to mitigate unhealthy and constricting environmental conditions is stressed.