Individual and Family Functioning and Well-Being

SW840, Section 001

This course analyzes the antecedents and consequences of alternate conceptualizations of individual and family well-being through the life span. Attention will be given to: diverse values, perspectives and ideologies relevant to conceptualizations of individual and family well-being, operational definitions of these conceptualizations, the evidence on the antecedents and consequences of well-being as variously defined, and the implications of the above for social work and social welfare. Internal and external antecedents and levels will be critically reviewed, particularly differential implications for each gender, and for various racial and ethnic groups. Antecedents that might be investigated are: psychological, physical, and genetic factors; ethnic/racial/national differences in socialization processes ; the family as a mediator of processes of the organizations and communities of which individuals are a part; economic conditions, cultural factors, and political structures, which impinge on a society's capacity to foster individual well being in various societal subgroups. Possible conflicts between individual and family well-being will be considered as will those between individual or family well-being and the ability of organizations, communities, and societies to survive and meet their own goals. Implications of the analyses for future research and social work interventions well be examined.