Family Systems Concepts
Described as: A does not cause B- they cause each other.
What is circular causality?
The developer of family life cycle model
Who is Monica McGoldrick?
Families characterized by:
1. Characterized by blurred, indistinct boundaries. 2. A heightened sense of belonging (mutual support) requires a yielding of autonomy and independence. 3. Intrusion of family members on each other’s space, possessions, thoughts, and relationships.
What are enmeshed families?
Bowen is a combination of these two theories
What are systems theory and psychodynamic theory?
Relationship based on maximization of differences (one up one down). For example: a teacher and a student
What are complementary relationships?
First Order vs Second Order Cybernetics
First Order Cybernetics: All systems are self-regulated and maintain stability. Attention is placed on structure and feedback cycles. System is separate from the observer (the therapist.
Second Order Cybernetics: There can be no outside observer of a system. Anyone attempting to observe a system is by definition a participant who influences and is influenced by that system. Objectivity does not exist.
Horizontal Stressors vs Vertical Stressors
Horizontal Stressors: events as family moves forward in time, coping with changes and transitions of family life cycle. Developmental (life cycle transitions). Unpredictable (trauma – either individual or social/political [war, terrorism, economic depression]). Excessive stress on horizontal axis may result in dysfunctionality
Vertical Stressors: “The hand we are dealt”. Patterns of relating and functioning transmitted historically through generations. Includes family attitudes, stories, expectations, secrets, taboos, and loaded family issues
Characterized by rigid, inflexible boundaries.
Families are characterized by:
–Little empathy of family members for each other.
–Conflict avoided; decreased meaningful interchange
–Family members are isolated.
–Fosters autonomy, growth, and mastery, but also limits warmth, affection, and nurture.
–Family may ignore all but the most dramatic bids for attention and help.
What are disengaged families?
Fusion vs Differentiation
Fusion: Highly fused persons are “stuck” throughout their lives in role related to position in family of origin
Differentiation of Self #1: Able to balance thinking and emotion, Able to retain objectivity and flexibility, A process, not an achievable goal
Differentiation of Self #2: Behavior is driven by own values and not by emotional pressure from others in the family, Solid-self –maintains convictions and clearly defined beliefs, Does not compromise self in order to please family or achieve family harmony
What are symmetrical relationships?
Negative feedback loop vs Positive feedback loop
Negative feedback loop (attenuating) – helps maintain the system’s steady state (status quo). New information is fed back into system and triggers change to put system back on track.
Positive feedback loop (amplifying) – helps change the system. New information enters the system and leads to further change by augmenting or accelerating the initial deviation.
Most significant milestone in family life cycle
What is the arrival of children?
The root of the Identified Patients symptoms in Structural Family Therapy
Rooted in family transactional patterns (family rules, roles, and hierarchy)
Smallest stable unit
Triangle
Purpose of strategic family therapy
Interrupt family’s established, but ineffective pattern of interaction through directives
This family systems concept is desribed as: families tend to interact in repetitive behavioral sequences (organized established patterns based on family structure)
Common critiques of the family life cycle framework
Applies primarily to intact families, does not take into account individual differences in families (timing of events, different lifestyles, or living arrangements)
Assumes universality – All families, regardless of composition or culture, develop in the same order; does not attend to intergenerational and interactional complexities
Families are more complex than the Family Life Cycle Stage Model suggests; infinite possible variations between families are ignored
Asking each family member questions that help define a relationship or identify differences between other family members, is an example of this technique in Structural Family Therapy.
For example: About another person’s state, behavior, or beliefs
What is circular questioning?
Increase the level of differentiation of self in family members
First order change vs Second order change
First order changes: Superficial short term changes, Structure of system not change
Second order change: System is altered and restructured, Old rules are discarded, Change will probably be more permanent
This is an example of what family systems concept:
1. Patient greets mother with a hug.
2. Mother stiffens (non-verbal message – “Don’t touch me.”
3. Patient withdraws, Mother responds, “Don’t you love me?”
(non-verbal message: don’t challenge contradictions in mybehavior).
4. Patient blushes, Mother responds, “Don’t be embarrassed
and afraid of your feelings” (nonverbal message –“whatever you do is wrong”)
What is a double bind?
Double bind – conflicting message with injunctions, so it is impossible to obey both messages (Catch 22)
In the family life cycle model, a particular life event that requires the family to change and adapt
What are family stage markers?
What are joining and accommodating, boundary making, unbalancing, tracking, enactment, confirming statements, reframing?
Parental emotionality defines what the child is like; the child tries to comfort to expectations. Permits parents to stabilize their own functioning at expense of the child. The focused-on child (likely the most vulnerable child in the family absorbs parental emotionality and protects siblings
What is the family projection process?
Main intervention of strategic family therapy
What are directives?