Psychology of Marriage and Family Systems
The literal meaning of the word "psychopathology" is a mind disorder or disease. Psychological diagnosticians, while assuming that the illness is located inside a person, always use the medical model in treating or studying patients with 'mental illnesses'. In comparison with the approach they take, I present two converging and related psychopathology perspectives. The two perspectives give an analysis based on context from the family's viewpoint. The first approach, the "family systems" approach, is a conception that came up in the 1950s as a substitute to the traditional focus of psychopathology on individuals (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 1996).
The second approach, "family risk factors" has been in existence in psychopathology but not in the foreground. It tries to identify a couple family aspects of the functioning of the family that are significant in the treatment as well as etiology of patients that have tested positive for various…...
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References
Ackerman, N.W. (1958). The psychodynamics of family life. New York, NY: Basic Books.
Ackerman, N.W. (1962), Family Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis: The Implications of Difference. Family Process, 1: 30-43.
Ackerman, N.W. (1962). Family Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis: The implications of difference. Family Process, 1(1): 30-43.
Ackerman, N.W. (1966). Treating the troubled family. New York, NY: Basic Books.
Psychology of Marriage and Family Systems
Vignette One
Considering the reading assignments in both texts, what do you see going on with Pete and his family?
Family dynamics is affecting Pete and his family. The point of focus is the pattern of dynamics apparent in Tim's family, including the impact that the youngsters behavior has on the family members. The following points affect family dynamics:
Intra-parental relationship number of youngsters in the family persona of each of the family member an absence of a parent the assortment of individuals who are living under the same roof level and type of influence from extended family or others a chronically sick individual within the family a veritable assortment of societal and emotional trauma faced in the past by elders, such as an divorce, affair, unemployment, death, homelessness familial attachments, or lack thereof (i.e. insecure, secure)
inherited features of family members through generations (parents and grandparents families)
broader systems-…...
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References
Adkins, K.S. (2010). A Contextual Family Therapy Theory Explanation for Intimate Partner Violence (Doctoral dissertation, The Ohio State University).
Australian Counseling Association (n.d). Code Of Ethics and Practice.
Boszormenyi-Nagy, I., & Krasner, B. (1986). Between give and take: A clinical guide to contextual therapy. New York: Brunner/Mazel.
Bubenzer D. L & West J.D. (1993) Counseling Couples Volume 8 of Therapy in Practice. SAGE.
Family system is the basic and smallest social unit of the society that has played a crucial role in the development of countries and cultures. This unit has continued to develop in line with changes in the needs and demands of people as well as the society. Throughout the history of mankind, the family systems have played an important role in the development of children and individuals. However, there are various issues associated with the role of family systems in the development of an individual.
elationship between Family Systems and Healthy Development
As the basic unit of society, family systems have a strong link or relationship with healthy development. The role of family systems in healthy development is directly linked to the method of parenting within the family. This is primarily because a healthy family system can be identified through the method of parenting that is evident within the household. Parenting consists…...
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References
Hann-Morrison, D. (2012, December 11). Maternal Enmeshment -- The Chosen Child. SAGE
Journals. doi: 10.1177/2158244012470115
Harden, B.J. (2004). Safety and Stability for Foster Children: A Developmental Perspective.
Napier and Whitaker exemplify systems therapy with their presentation of the Brice family case. It is necessary to identify the origins of the systems approach in order to fully appreciate its value in the context of family therapy. It approaches the family unit as a system and therefore borrows heavily from systems theory. Systems theory is a general theory applies across many disciplines and looks at systems that have the ability to self-regulate. The theory applies to biological systems, climate, environment, and the family unit.
Systems approach recognizes the interdependencies that exist in the family as a system. The family unit consists of individuals related to one another forming a complex web that should act in congruence. Therefore, although a part of a system is essential, it is the relationship of the part to the whole that is paramount. The family as a system is dynamic since changes occur every…...
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References
Napier, A.Y., & Whitaker, C. (1978). The family crucible: The intense experience of therapy. New York: HarperCollins.
VL AdditionVL's behavior can be considered in the light of the DSM-5 criteria by contrasting the symptoms of ADHD and ASD versus those of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD). VL displays challenges in social interactions, communication, and repetitive behaviors, which align with ASD criteria of the DSM-5. His difficulties with focus, impulsivity, and hyperactivity suggest ADHD. These symptoms are rooted in neurodevelopmental factors rather than the deliberate, antagonistic defiance or violation of others' rights seen in ODD and CD. ODD is characterized by angry and irritable mood, argumentative and defiant behavior towards authority figures, which is not specifically mentioned in VL's behaviors (Burke & Romano-Verthelyi, 2018). Similarly, CD involves a pattern of behavior that violates societal norms and the rights of others, including aggression and deceitfulness, which does not align with VL's presented challenges (Frick & Matlasz, 2018). VL's behaviors reflect difficulties in social adaptation and self-regulation…...
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References
Burke, J. D., & Romano-Verthelyi, A. M. (2018). Oppositional defiant disorder.
In Developmental pathways to disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disorders (pp. 21-52). Academic Press.
Dallos, R., & Vetere, A. (2012). Systems theory, family attachments and processes of
The impact of family motivation on college age students with learning disabilities may be a deciding factor in regard to the student's success or failure. College age students with learning disabilities obviously have more immediate needs in cooperative learning settings when compared to typical students. Educators cannot just tell the student to just sit-down and read five chapters of Freud. These students have problems like dyslexia, AD/HD, or English as a second language to name a few and they may have had additional help in the past that may not be available at an older age. When there are obvious underlying issues, the family, teachers and the students themselves have to work more closely together in order to reach the desired positive outcomes. "Teaching effectiveness is inferred from the product that was created; it is the product that is the indicator of scholarship." (Cranton, 2000)
This report…...
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Positive feedback is a major part of the Family Systems Theory process. Feedback in this case is a process in which the family, and possibly the teaching team involved, all work together to regulate the thinking process of the college age student with learning disabilities. This process also incorporates the notion that positive self-talk by the college age student with some form of learning disability is a necessary component of educational success. Self-talk helps them monitor their own output. In other words, the human body in this case accepts feedback from both internal and external sources to promote positive goals and objectives. A good example of a positive feedback system is how an automatic pilot system is used in most commercial airplanes. The automatic pilot process provides a computer that is actually flying the plane constant feedback about required information regarding the planes speed, altitude, direction and so on. As the plane drifts off course slightly, the computer system realigns the flight path. The college age student with a learning disability also drifts off occurs from time to time and positive feedback from family members, teachers and counselors and the student themselves all help to get the student back on course. This approach continually promotes active coping efforts and attributes positive meaning to the learning situation.
Name of Theory: FAMILY STRESS & COPING THEORY
Based on Family Stress Theory, there can be many indicators of a family's adaptation to stress induced events. "One is the adaptation of individual family members, including adolescents have noted that such factors as the perceived levels of individual and family stress serve as markers of adaptation." (McCubbin, 1993) In other words, the adaptation implies that there are a large number
Systems Theory
Napier & Whitaker's (1978) classic The Family Crucible is the benchmark book related to family therapy. The book is thorough, and divided into twenty chapters that cover the gamut of family therapy theory and especially practice. Napier & Whitaker (1978) are family systems theorists, and they openly divulge their appreciation for an approach to individual psychology that takes into account family systems. In other words, no individual can be understood or helped without paying attention to the family situation, its dynamics, and its role in identity formation and coping. The authors discuss dysfunctional family systems via a case study. By focusing on one case study, Napier & Whitaker (1978) show how family systems theory works, and what clients can expect from the process.
The authors weave their personal views and experiences throughout the case study, which clutters and bogs down the narrative, but which also provides a necessary context for…...
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References
Napier, A.Y. & Whitaker, C. (1978). The Family Crucible. New York: Houghton Mifflin.
Systems and Diffusion of Innovation Theory
Attached File
Systems theory vs. diffusion of innovation theory
Systems theory is based upon the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Its founder Ludwig von Bertalanffy proposed that, based upon his experience with the biology of organisms, all systems are constantly changing because they are able to interact with their environments. Systems are open and thus can acquire "qualitatively new properties through emergence" (Clark 2011). Living beings of all kinds are capable of taking in and incorporating new elements while expelling the old. This is vitally important for healthcare organizations today to understand, given the need to respect the changing nature of patients and the fact that patient's health can be significantly improved or worsened, depending on the type of care the patients receive and do not receive. Healthcare organizations must be true 'learning organizations' as new patients must be treated;…...
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References
Clark, Don. (2011). Ludwig von Bertalanfy: General System Theory 1950. Big Dog and Little
This article provides a brief introduction to the general concepts of systems theory, beginning with von Bertalanfy's career as a biologist studying organisms. It is a succinct explanation of the theory in lay person's terms, expressing it in phrases such as 'the whole is bigger than the sum of its parts.'
Diffusion of innovation theory. (2010). Utewente. Retrieved at:
Family
Moshavi D. & Koch M.J., (n.d). he Adoption of Family-Friendly Practices in Family Owned Firms.
he article is centered on the family business and how the conflicts that emanate from the family business affects the non-family employees and what repercussions it has on the business as well. It highlights the work and family systems interaction and how that interaction can be managed. his is an empirical investigation into how the family business owners manage the work and family conflicts that face the non-family employees. he article first highlights some pertinent theories that help explain the influence of family on business like the resource-dependency theory and institutional theory in order to help the reader understand the entire concept. he researcher used the survey method to collect his data and 680 human resource manager filled in questionnaires that were used. he dependent variable is sighted as work-family responsiveness and the independent variable used…...
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The writer here takes a closer look at the family business and specifically the communication trends that are experienced within such businesses. It also looks at how the communication helps to boost innovativeness in family business. The paper seeks to examine the effects of communication on innovation within the family business and how much innovation there is within the family business setting. The researcher here also looks at the variations in innovation among the family businesses and the reasons behind these disparities. The researcher highlights the various factors that are likely to affect the innovation within the family business setting and how these have over years changed. The data that was used was widely sourced from case studies of various family owned business in contrast to the business not owned by families. There was a general conclusion that non-family owned businesses seemed to show higher levels of innovation and better structured communication systems.
Memili E., Zellweger T. & Fang H.C., (2013). The Determinants of Family Owner-Managers' Affective Organizational Commitment. Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studies.
The author here highlights the need for the commitment of the owner-managers within the family owned businesses. The levels of commitment as managers are seen to be affected by the levels of harmony that is within the business management position. The conceptual framework of this article looks highlights some major factors that are likely to determine the commitment of any individual family member in managing the family business. These are relationship conflict, work-family conflict, affective organizational commitment which are all seen to have an impact in the ownership attachment.
family by applying theories, concepts and knowledge. Through the study of the theories and concepts, the study will look at how families communicate, behave, operate and will also highlight common problems facing the family and especially tackling the health issue and how social systems affect provision of health care, and will illuminate this through an in-depth study of how it applies or affect the family unit. The study will discuss diversity issues in relation to the social system.
Family life is being scrutinized, and a new definition of a family is emerging every day, but in simple terms a family is a group consisting of parents and children living together in a household, caring and supporting each other. According to Merriam-ebster Dictionary; a family is a fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children.
The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of…...
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Works Cited
Boss P. Doherty W. LaRossa R. (2008). Sourcebook of Family Theories and Methods: A contextual Approach, New York: Springer
Crawford, (1999), Bilingual Education: History Politics, Theory and Practice, 23 July 2011, nation.org/Crawford.htmlhttp://www.one
LaRossa & Reitzes. (1993). Family Theory, Washington D.C: Chapman Publishers
McGoldrick M, Gerson R. & Shellenberger S. (1985). Genograms in Family Assessment. W.W. Norton: North America
Family CounselingFamily therapy systems adopt systems thinking approach in which the family is viewed as an emotional unit. Through this approach, family therapy systems conceptualize psychosocial symptoms of individuals within families. There are various family therapy theories that can be applied to different situations as part of family therapy systems to address individuals psychosocial symptoms. One theory that can be used to conceptualize the psychosocial symptoms of individuals within families based on the Wilsons case is Bowens family system theory. This theory suggests that people are attached to their network of relationships within the family (Brown, 2014). By portraying how people are inseparable from their network of relationships, this theory suggests that changes in the behaviors of one family member could affect family functioning over time. In relation to Wilsons case, this theory can be used in the conceptualization of family issues through examining the network of relationships between them.…...
Murray Bowen developed a theory of family functioning and individual functioning within the family system. The Bowen theory most importantly takes into account the need to balance individuality with togetherness in tight social systems like families ("Bowenian Family Therapy," n.d.). There are eight basic concepts to the Bowen theory. The first is the differentiation of self, which is important for psychological health and well-being. An example of differentiation of self is when the person is able to hold a different opinion on a political or social issue than a parent without that difference causing a problem in the relationship. When the self is not differentiated, the person might have internalized the beliefs of mother, father, sister, or brother and cannot tell what is really "me" versus what is a result of programming, the desire for approval or absorbing others' beliefs.
The second concept to Bowen's theory is triangulation. Bowen believes that…...
Vingnettes
Psychology of marriage and family systems
Vignette Three
Considering the text reading assignments, what do you see going on with Phillip and his family?
Given that Phillip was born to a mother who abused alcohol in the past, it is possible that there are physical issues which are affecting his performance in school. Phillip should be screened for learning disabilities and other issues which could inhibit his progress. Phillip is also struggling with issues which make him 'different' from his peers, including the poverty of his household, the fact that he is being shipped from one home to another as the result of his parents' divorce, and the fact that he might receive negative attention because of his mother's LBGT status as well as the fact he is a Native American.
If Phillip is being sexually molested, however, this could be another source of his withdrawal and anxiety, given that these are symptoms often…...
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References
Lubell K.M., Lofton T, Singer H.H. (2008). Promoting healthy parenting practices across cultural groups: A CDC Research Brief. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control; 2008.
Shift From First-order to Second-Order Cybernetics in the Family and Systemic Therapies
The strategic family therapy model came up in the 1950s and was inspired by two primary works: the works of Milton Erickson who came up with revolutionary paradoxical interventions which took advantage of people's resistance to change to help alter psychiatric symptoms first; and the works of Gregory Bateson and the Palo Alto Group that made use of cybernetics in communication patterns of the family. The style of a therapist changes as he or she gets better as a person and as they develop professionally, and also as per what is in fashion at the time. An older person has the chance to look at what happened in their past and see what worked and what failed. This gives them a better perspective of what works and what might not work for a given situation. The path is…...
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References
Asen, E. (2004). Outcome research in family therapy. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, vol. 8, pp. 230-238
Asen, K.E., Berkowitz, R., Cooklin, A., et al. (1991). Family therapy outcome research: a trial for families, therapists and researchers. Family Process, 30, 3-20.
Baron, P. (2007). Ecosystemic psychology; first and second order cybernetics.
Baucom, D., Shoham, V., Mueser, K., et al. (1998). Empirically supported couple and family interventions for marital distress and adult mental health problems. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66, 53-88.
Genogram Project
The author of this report has been charged with doing a family assessment project. The largest part of this report shall be the genogram and ecogram. The personal version of these two diagrams as authored and put together by the author of this report are shown in the appendix. There will be some additional supporting and complementary information as well. This will include the Calgary Family Assessment Model (CFAM) and the Calgary Family Intervention Model. Both of those models will be discussed and reviewed in this report. Also worthy of mention will be the stages of the family life cycle. The rest of the report will be important information about the family members identified in the genogram. This information will include three generations of information, each family member being identified, the family relationship involved, the current age of the person (or age at death), the martial/relationship status of the…...
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References
Konradsdottir, E. & Svavarsdottir, E. (2011). How effective is a short-term educational and support intervention for families of an adolescent with type 1 diabetes?. Journal For Specialists In Pediatric Nursing, 16(4), 295-304. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-6155.2011.00297.x
Sveinbjarnardottir, E., Svavarsdottir, E., & Wright, L. (2013). What are the benefits of a short therapeutic conversation intervention with acute psychiatric patients and their families? A controlled before and after study. International Journal Of Nursing Studies, 50(5), 593-602. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2012.10.009
West, C., Bell, J., Woodgate, R., & Moules, N. (2015). Waiting to Return to Normal: An Exploration of Family Systems Intervention in Childhood Cancer. Journal Of Family Nursing, 21(2), 261-294. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1074840715576795
Wright, L. & Leahey, M. (2012). Nurses and families.
Balance in Families According to the Family Circumplex Model The Family Circumplex Model (FCM) is a theoretical framework developed by David Olson and his colleagues to understand and assess family functioning. It posits that families can be conceptualized along two primary dimensions: cohesion (the degree of emotional closeness and interdependence among family members) and adaptability (the ability of the family to change and adjust to new situations). The FCM emphasizes the importance of balance between these two dimensions, arguing that families that are too high or too low on either cohesion or adaptability may experience difficulties. Importance of Balance Balance in the FCM....
In conclusion, the family system plays a crucial role in shaping the healthy development of individuals across various domains of life. Understanding and nurturing healthy family dynamics are essential for optimal growth and flourishing. Through exploring the relationship between family systems and healthy development, identifying key characteristics of healthy family systems, and discussing the determining factors that differentiate healthy from unhealthy ones, we can gain insight into the impact of familial dynamics on individual growth and well-being. By recognizing the significance of family systems in influencing physical, emotional, spiritual, and social development, we can work towards creating supportive environments that....
How Healthy Family Systems Contribute to Overall Development and Well-Being Families play a fundamental role in shaping the development and well-being of individuals throughout their lifespan. Healthy family systems provide essential resources and support that foster positive outcomes, while dysfunctional family systems can lead to various psychological and social challenges. Core Characteristics of Healthy Family Systems Clear Communication: Healthy families have open and honest communication channels. Members feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, feelings, and needs without fear of judgment or retaliation. Strong Relationships: Members have strong bonds based on love, trust, and respect. They provide each other with emotional support, companionship, and....
Influence of Family Balance on System Functioning A well-balanced family system is crucial for the overall functioning and well-being of its members. Maintaining balance within a family can significantly impact the family's ability to meet the needs of its members, adapt to change, and handle stress. Impact on Individual Well-being Emotional stability: Balanced families provide a stable and supportive environment where members feel valued and secure. This fosters emotional well-being, reduces stress, and enhances self-esteem. Healthy relationships: Balanced families promote healthy relationships between members based on respect, communication, and cooperation. This provides a foundation for positive social interactions outside the family. Academic....
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