Citation:
Weber, J. G. (2011). Individual and family stress and crises. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.

Reviewer:
Janice G. Weber, Ph.D., CFLE, CFCS, Associate Professor, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2011

Category:
Book by CSI author

Genre:
Other

CACREP Core Area:
Helping relationships

CACREP Specialty Area:
Counselor education and supervision

Subject Headings:
Family dynamics, Grief & loss

Review:
This comprehensive textbook provides coverage of both individual and family conceptual models of stress and crisis as well as the application of the models to crisis management. Divided into three parts, the book moves readers from historical background and definitions to theoretical models to practical application of the models for crisis management.

In Part I (chapters 1 and 2), the multidisciplinary background of stress theory is illustrated with parallel timelines of the development of both individual and family stress theory. Because of the importance of consistent definitions of constructs to both research and practice, chapter 2 presents definitions of the basic theoretical constructs including multiple terms used for the same construct.

Part II (chapters 3-9) provides detailed analyses of individual and family stress models, including a comparison of models presented in table form. In addition, the book contains a vignette which is used as the basis of application of each conceptual model to a case, preparing students to complete exercises promoting realistic, hands-on experience with the material.

Part III (chapters 10 and 11) presents the history and practice of crisis management. Discussions of prevention as well as intervention are included. Each chapter concludes with a summary and citations leading readers to publications by the originators of content discussed. The book includes multiple tables and figures for visual learners; an index provides easy access to key concepts in the text.

Instructors normally find that they must supplement their core texts to include crisis management in a one way or another, e.g., to provide a family focus to a text on crisis management, to provide interventions to texts focusing on theory and research, or to augment a single theoretical perspective. This book provides all of these within its covers and is particularly useful for courses for students interested in obtaining licensing as professional counselors or certification as family life educators. Readers ranging from master's candidates to undergraduates will encounter an excellent balance of theory/research, hands-on applications, and intervention strategies.

Originally posted on 10/5/2011 at csi-net.org