Family Assessment and Intervention Model The Family Assessment and Intervention Model focuses on how families respond to stress by creating lines of defense and resistance. It is important in this model to build on the family’s strengths, as families are ever-changing systems interacting with the world around them. The stressors have the ability to challenge and/or penetrate the family’s lines of defense— throwing them off balance. From there, adaptation and reconstitution are critical for the family in order to regain their strength (Kaakinen et al., 2015). In the case of the White family, Walt’s illness has penetrated the family’s lines of defense causing a need to adapt. Walt has turned to manufacturing crystal meth behind his family’s back in order to make enough money to provide for his family’s needs. Skylar has taken it upon herself to work any possible job to earn money. The dynamics surrounding Walt’s illness has subjected the White’s to constant stressors. According to this theory, it is important to identify the White family stressors. Not only has Walter Jr.’s illness caused financial and emotional instability, but also the added stressor of Walt’s diagnosis has taken the family over the edge. The ongoing stressors surrounding two chronic illnesses in a family have made it difficult for the White’s to use their strengths and lines of resistance. Due to this, family communication and trust has suffered. Despite being bombarded by stressors, the White family has a few strengths including caring for one another, family mealtime, and help from extended family. By using these strengths wisely, the family can adapt and reconstitute to restore their stability (Kaakinen et al., 2015).
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