Family Relationship Theory : Family Development Theory

Experiential family theory is about the experiences that a family goes through in therapy and what it symbolizes to them. Experiential family theory is also well known as symbolic experiential family theory because the theory is about what the family takes out of the experience and what they use to describe their family. According to Smith (1998), the founder, Carl Whitaker, felt that it was the therapist’s responsibility to create these experiences in the sessions to help the family grow. Carl Whitaker accomplished this with impulse and creativity. He understood the family unit and knew that families could be cruel, but he believed the family had the ability to restore their family unit (Percy, 1990). The theory is not a traditional one,

They serve as a framework for clinical assessment and can be applied to the individual, family, and community. Through this framework, data is collected and assessed, allowing for the application of nursing diagnoses and interventions that encompass a holistic view of the client. There are 11 patterns, and within each pattern there are four focal areas.

From a Christian world view perspective integrating the pragmatic approach of CBT with the relational methodology prevalent in family systems theories just seems like a sound idea. Christians express that mankind is created in the image of God and exhibit the relational quality found in Him. Therefore, combining the two modalities would benefit clients in that change is sought with CBT from an “outside-in” orientation and with family systems from the “inside-out”. CBT is based on the dynamic formulation of patients’ problems and an individual conceptualization of each patient in cognitive terms (Beck, 2011). However, changing only one part (i.e., the individual) of the whole (i.e., the family unit) may be difficult at best or impossible at worst if the presenting problem is not conceptualized to include how familial relationships, patterns, communication, and behaviors affect both inter- and intrapersonal skill deficits.

Comparing Bowen’s family systems theory and Minuchin’s structural family theory we will outline several fundamental categories for analysis with Goldenberg & Goldenberg (2012) as our guide. We also contrast the history and theoretical orientation of both men to garner a deeper understanding of their theories. Finally we will consider integrating elements of both theories and how this makes us more effective practitioners.

Relationships can either be monogamous or non-monogamous in nature and its definitions and functions can vary. A monogamous relationship is traditionally characterised by two individuals who have dependent children or also as a ‘nuclear family.’ Monogamy is a hetero-normative practice that involves two individuals in a relationship; the couple is not engaged in extramarital intimacy. Nuclear families also fall under this practice. Polyamory is a non-monogamous practice that refers to multiple intimate partners and experiences. However, some scholars argue that if, or when one individual engages in infidelity, Polyamory is a viable option to sustain the relationship. Academic research positions Polyamory as an option that may successfully

The family structure is made up of individuals living together in intimate groups with the purpose of caring and supporting each other. Rules and boundaries, spoken and unspoken, are developed by the family members. Family rules and boundaries change and shift over time in order to evolve and grow as a family unit. Some changes are subtle, but some events force major change within the family system. This paper applies the concepts of systems theory to the family system in the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Reese Witherspoon (Melanie Smooter) and Josh Lucas (Jake Perry) star in this heart-warming film telling a story of a young woman who flees from Alabama to reinvent herself in New York City as a high fashion designer. She leaves behind

According to Cowan, Cohn, Cowan, and Pearson (1996) studies focusing on attachment theory have shown significant relationships among the working model’s of early attachment histories in adults, their parenting behavior, and the attachment or diagnostic status of their children. Studies focusing on a family systems approach have shown relationships between the marital conflicts of parents, their parenting style, and the internalizing and externalizing problems of their children. Cowan et al. (1996) combined the ideas from attachment and family systems theories in a longitudinal study of nonclinical families in order to better understand possible links among parents’ attachment histories and the problematic behavior of their children in kindergarten. Attachment theorists use categories instead of continuous scales when looking at the variation in children’s adaptation and family functioning, minimizing the possible benefits of using continuous ratings to understand the variation in a child’s adaptation of family functioning.

When I consider family systems, I am reminded of a metaphor I heard while in undergraduate school about a mobile. A mobile is used to soothe an infant, normally placed above a crib or basinet. Each of its parts are in balance, when working correctly, however if one section becomes off balance the objects become out of sync. This is true with families. If each member of the family unit is doing their part, there is complete balance or homeostasis (Henson). This balance is viewed as a healthy family system. However, if one part of the unit becomes off balance, it disrupts the whole unit causing an unhealthy response with possible long term consequences. As families grow, each member plays an equally important role in the family unit. Children learn quickly the importance of relationships and adapt quickly to their environment. No one can deny the family unit is the most complex system in existence.

After a thorough review of the textbook and the course material, the specific family system approach that I choose to explore is the Bowenian Approach for this literature review. This specific family system approach is also known as the Bowen Family System Theory as well (D.V. Papero, 2006). The Bowen Family System Theory was established by Murray Bowen, a theorist and psychiatrist who specialized in treating children who were deranged and had schizophrenia (Rockwell, 2010). In the 1950s, Bowen wanted to explore a new venture so he decided that he wanted all of the family members of each child to be involved in an therapeutic process at the same time (Rockwell, 2010).

The Family Management Styles Framework (FMSF) is an assessment instrument created by Deatrick and Knafl in 1990 to assist nurses to better understand how families who have a child with chronic condition integrate management of the condition into their daily routine (Kaakinen et al., 2015). Knafl et al. (n.d.) reported that the Family Management Style Framework was developed over a range of qualitative studies and integrative reviews, incorporating the views and perspective of individual family members to conceptualize the entire family response to a health-related condition. In addition, Knafl et al. (n.d.) further describes the framework as consisting of three substantial parts: Definition of the Situation, Management Behaviors, and Perceived

After a few hours of reading I began to wonder where my family fit into these theories, then I realized that I was not reading the ?Handbook of Abnormal Family Theories?.

The objective of this research is to gather information on my family heritage. Therefore, in this research, the method that will be chosen is qualitative method. Qualitative data are likely to be characterized by their richness and fullness, based on the opportunity to explore a subject in as real a manner as is possible. Meanings are principally derived from words and clarity is needed.

In the process of establishing a relationship with the family, there occurs the assessment process. In the assessment stage, the counsellor collaborates with the family to uncover the presenting problems. According to Hackney and Cormier (2013) problems may be conceptualized in various ways: as needs, stressors, life conditions, misinterpretations, dysfunctional social patterns, or a combination of these determinants. For Max’s case I chose to utilize approaches and techniques from Minuchin’s Structural Family Theory for the assessment and support/intervention stages. However, though the genogram in not a SFT techniques, it is a useful rapport building and assessment tool.

Family is one of the hardest words to define. There are many definitions and thoughts of what a family consists of. When one accepts the definition of the census family given by Statistics Canada then a family becomes “a married couple and the children, if any… a couple living common law and the children, if any… a lone parent with at least one child living in the same dwelling… grandchild living with grandparents but no parents present… Census families can be opposite or same sex and children may be adopted, by birth, or marriage and all members must be living in the same dwelling” (Baker 2014). With family being such a difficult term to agree on, the creation of a complex study of family life emerges. The factors that influence family life are put into three theory categories; Social Structure, Interpersonal Factors, as well as Ideas, Global Culture, and Public Discourse.

The relationships between parents and children depend in large part on the social context in which the family lives. Thus, the ability of parents to care for them and successfully educate their children depends on the extent to which parents and children maintain connections with others outside the home, as well as the way in which external forces penetrate the home and regulate the Interactions These connections or links with the social environment are important, since they allow individuals to satisfy needs in everyday situations or crisis. The absence or insufficiency of social support in families constitutes a significant risk for the deterioration of their internal relations, because as different studies suggest, families where child abuse occurs lack a secure line, that is, at particularly stressful times They have means of escape, friends or relatives to turn to for help. That is why many parents who leave their countries where they have their friends and family, to go to another country where they will be alone and will not have the support of anyone is a very stressful situation. Many families come from other countries to the United States to provide a better life for their children, but often the little time they can devote to their children due to work can end in their children getting out of hand.