Family Health Routines
The terms ritual and routine are sometimes used interchangeably when discussed in terms of celebrations and traditions, but far fewer references are identified about relationships with health promotion, health maintenance, disease prevention, illness care, health recovery, or end-of-life care. Routines can be described as repetitive behaviors that may or may not have symbolic significance to the family and often lack the history of rituals. Family routines are behavior patterns related to events, occasions, or situations that are repeated with regularity and consistency. They often have a bit of rigidity and are accompanied by a sense of correctness. Family routines appear to have a strong intergenerational component and are a way families teach members valued behaviors. Routines are easily recalled and can be useful in speaking with families about care.
Family routines have been identified as key structural aspects of family health that can be assessed by nurses, provide a focus for family interventions, and have potential for measuring health outcomes (Denham, 1999a, 1999b, 1999c). Routines provide a means for family members to conceptualize and discuss the household production of family health (Denham, 1997). Family routines provide information about predictable family behaviors and specific ways families employ values. Routines help members define roles and organize daily life, but these are less often consciously planned. Routines are recognized with great consistency by multiple members and can be recalled, discussed, and taught. While routines are dynamic and evolving, once patterns are patterned, members usually strive to retain these patterns. Routines appear to be resilient and unique to family households, but potential to modify them still exists.
The research conducted by Sharon A. Denham (see "Family Resources" for citation) identified similar family health routines. The table below provides a synthesis of the research findings into an overview of six different health routine areas to consider.
| Family Health Routine | Aspects of the Routines | Description of the Routines |
|---|---|---|
| Self - Care Routines |
|
These routines involve patterned behaviors related to usual activities of daily living experienced across the life course. |
| Safety and Prevention |
|
These routines pertain to health protection, disease prevention, avoidance and participation in high-risk behaviors and efforts to prevent unintended injury across the life course. |
| Mental Health Behaviors |
|
These routines have to do with the ways individuals and families attend to self-efficacy, cope with daily stresses, and individuate. |
| Family Care |
|
These routines are comprised of daily activities, traditional behaviors, special celebrations that give meaning to daily life and provide shared enjoyment, pleasure, and happiness for multiple members. |
Diabetes: A Family Matter
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