DATA COLLECTION The nurse is concerne d nbout two imporlanl things to ensure effective :ind efficient data collection in family nursing prnctice. Fu-stly, she has to identify the types or kinds of data needed. Secondly. she needs to specify the methods of data-gathering and Lhe necessar y tools to collect such data. Types of Data in Family Nursing Assessment What data are needed to arrive al a measure of the (amily"sability loacbievc heal Lhund well-being among. its members, while itmau1lains itself as a system and as. i fonctioning unit? Based on theoretical frameworks which describe family charactei-isl;c. s, explain and predict family beha\':ior. two t)1)es of dat. i are needed at two le\le)s of assessmen l in family nursing practice. As shown on Table 2. 1 (. "'-ssessment D,tla Base) the following constitute the first type of dat. i taken during the fin;t-level assessme nt: -1. Fa mi Jy slrnct u re, chara t. : lt H"isti Q; a ml tlyn. a m ics-iii cl udefamil y co I uposi t ion and demographic dala, type of family form aocl structure, decision-making patterns, interpersonal relatio111ships, interactional patterns/interpei:sonal relationship:; (sucl1 as presence of dyadic and triadic boundaries which llave the potential to alter members· diverging health beliefs, knowledge and beh:tvior) and communication patterns or processes affecting family relatedness (e. g. expression of fee. ling5 or emotions particu-1;:irly related ,,:ith addressing converging nnd diverging motivations or perceptions, such as tluring conflict) cons(stc ncy and congrnem:c bet". veen intended and received messages; and, explicitness of message for approprintcncss, effectivity and efficiency of the communication process related with role perfonn ance, indivi<lual members' health and family system integrity. 2. Socio-economic and cultural characteristics-include occupation, place of work, and income of each working member ; educational attainment of eacb family member; ethnic background and religious affiliatio n; family traditions, events or practices affecting members ' health or family functioni ng; significant others and the rnlc(s) they pluy in the family's life; and the relalionship of the family to the larger community. 3. Home. and environment-include information on housing and s Stnitation facilities; kind of neighborhood and availability of social, l1ealth, cor:nmunicati on and transportation facilities in the community. 4-Health status of each member-includes current and past significant bealth conditio n/s or illness/es; beliefs anc. l practices condudvc to health and illness; nutritiona l and develop mental status; physical assessment fine. lings And significant result,; of laboratory/diagnostic tests/screen ing procedures. 5-Values anc J practices on he:a JU1 promotion/mai ntenance and disease prevention-include use of promotive-preventive senrices as evidea_ced by immunizalion status of at-risk members and use of other heallhy life. style related services; adequacy of rest/sleep, exercise, relaxation acthities, stress managemen t or other healthy lifestyle pn11;tices; opportunities which enhance feelings of self-worth. self-efficacy and connec1edness to self, others and a higher powe:r; essence of meaningfulness. 57 