How Understanding Small Group Dynamics Can Facilitate Working with Families
From the perspective of helping professionals, working with families frequently involves dealing with small group dynamics. Indeed, a family unit is essentially a small group, with its own unique set of roles, communication patterns, and power dynamics. In this regard, Jones (2018) emphasizes that, Families, after all, are our first enterprise, and our parents and siblings are our first management team (para. 4). Consequently, understanding these group dynamics is crucial for effectively facilitating change and growth within the family system. Therefore, studying small group dynamics can help professionals gain valuable insights into the complex relationships, alliances, and conflicts that may exist within a given family (Friedkin & Johnsen, 2019).
Likewise, helping professionals can also better understand how family members interact, communicate, and influence one another by studying small group dynamics. This knowledge enables professionals to navigate the complexities of family dynamics, identify potential roadblocks or areas of tension, and develop strategies to address them. In addition, understanding small group processes can also help professionals facilitate open and productive discussions, encourage healthy communications, and promote effective problem-solving strategies within the family unit (Ratkajec & Platt, 2024).
Moreover, developing a better understanding of small group dynamics principles can shed light on the roles individuals play within the family, such as the leader, the peacemaker, or the rebel. Recognizing these roles and how they contribute to the familys functioning can help professionals tailor their interventions and support each member more effectively. In sum, by comprehending the nuances of small group dynamics, helping professionals can create a safe and supportive environment for families by fostering trust, collaboration, and positive change.
References
Friedkin, N. E. & Johnsen, E. C. (2019). Social Influence Network Theory: A Sociological Examination of Small Group Dynamics. Cambridge University Press.
Jones, R. (2018, July 9). The Family Dynamics We Grew Up with Shape How We Work. Harvard Business Review. Reviewed from https://hbr.org/2016/07/the-family-dynamics-we-grew-up-with-shape-how-we-work.
Ratkajec, G., & Platt, D. (2024). An exploratory study of capacity to change at family level in families with adolescents experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties. Child & Family Social Work, 1.
