Summary: Horizontal Stressors

BFT maintains that family history creates a framework that forges the values, thoughts, and functioning experiences of each generation, as well as how the family of origin passes down this framework to succeeding generations (Bowen, 1985). Because anyone can become symptomatic with enough stress, a main assumption of BFT theory is that past emotional processes are currently influencing the present emotional functioning of the client, and change happens within the individual as they work to develop their “differentiation of self”. The differentiation of self concept describes the individual’s capacity in balancing the pressures of family

Thought lecher and the course reading material, this semester has increased my knowledge about a variety of techniques and theories. While reading, The Family Crucible: The Intense Experience of Family Therapy, there were several themes that could be commonly characterized in family therapy and the scenario of this book. Some of these techniques were, triangulation, resistance, transference, stress, and using or having a scapegoat (singling out one individual). Furthermore, some of the theories connected from this course to The Family Crucible: The Intense Experience of Family Therapy were, General Systems Theory, and Family Systems Theory.

Emotional cut-off is when a person is unable to manage emotional problems with family members and cut off any emotional contact creating an unresolved conflict (Haefner, 2014). The concept of sibling positions describes common characteristics seen in the same sibling position that cause differences in development and behavior (Kerr, 2017). Societal regression is a concept that explains how society and the family parallel in how it handles emotional processes, such as anxiety

The 10 dimensions of Family Stress are a way to describe a family stressor. Lipman-Blumen created a list of 10 dimensions that family stressors are based on. These ten categories are: internal vs external, pervasive vs bounded, precipitate onset vs gradual onset, intense vs mild, transitory vs chronic, random vs expected, natural generation vs artificial generation, scarcity vs surplus, perceived insolvable vs perceived solvable, and substantive context. Some of these factors may seem obvious and others may not. Some may have a direct influence on the stressor and others may not. But, each of these can lead to a crisis if not taken seriously. For all of these categories, I think it all depends on the crisis and each situation.

I am constantly drawn to the emotional staple in my family, support. Family support systems are just one of the most enriching, and rewarding aspects of daily family life. Through time the family archetype has gone through a tremendous amount of metamorphosis, including the most notable, and varying present-day version. No matter what creed, color, gender, sexuality, or demographic, the support system of today's families are astoundingly positive. Some people, like Ehrenreich, might say that families in and of themselves are a "nest of pathology," but when you look at families in the malls, parks, or other public places, the bruising, or outing of emotional tension, pressure, or abuse is non-existent.

Through assessment of the overall themes, trends, and patterns of the nuclear and extended family, the Sinclair family has been through many conflicts and stresses, and each family member has fought hard to maintain and keep the family connected together, despite long distances, separation, addiction, developmental delays, aging, and many more stressors. Though there are many theoretical approaches to take with the Sinclair family at any given point in “Down in the Delta”, including Family Development Theory, Family Systems Theory, Family Crisis/Stress, or Social Exchange Theory. This paper will focus on Structural

Although families may not always feel this connectedness, it is always there. The emotional climate of the family is interdependent of what is going on in the family as a whole. If one unit of the family is distant emotionally, it can have a great affect on the whole family. These attitudes are reciprocated throughout the entire family. It is important that most family members are able to stay healthy emotionally and have that ability to communicate their feelings to one another. Problems arise when individuals don’t fulfill their roles that are needed from all family members. Michael Kerr, explained this idea in an article he wrote to explain the family system theory. He explained that “heightened tension can intensify these processes that promote that promote unity and teamwork, and this can lead to problems” (Kerr,

While reading this book, I noticed two very important theoretical perspectives: the Psychodynamic Theory, which is apart of the Family Systems Model, which is on the micro level, and the humanistic theory, which is apart of the Family Resilience Theory and on the macro level. These two theories tie into The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down and Lia Lee and her family’s life. The Psychodynamic Theory has three key concepts that include differentiation of self, triangulation, and family

Both Andrew and his biological mother indicated that they often do not seek help from their external systems, which indicates that there are some rigid boundaries. Minuchin argues that rigid boundaries present in family dynamics can become an obstacle when exploring alternate solutions and lead to family dysfunction (Tuner, 2011). Families need to maintain a healthy balance and consistency to successfully maintain both adaptability and a sense of order while promoting change and growth within their members (Tuner, 2011). According to Greene (2008), families that have positive and dynamic interactions with the external systems have effective communication and internal

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.

My family has always been very close. We spend a great deal of time together and express our deep feelings and emotions with one another. If one of us has an issue, every member of the family is aware of it and shares the burden. When a person in the family does not share significant information about one’s life with the rest of the members, there is hurt feelings. Also, if a member cannot attend a family event, the family feels disappointed and misses the absent member. It is evident that connectedness is held as extremely valuable.

My own personal experience plays a part here as I don’t believe my family was ever “fully actualized.” Independence and autonomy was stressed, however, warmth and connectedness between members was not. Feelings were definitely suppressed in my household growing up, and even today sharing openly feels awkward. Whitaker, as well as Satir, has inspired my theoretical framework because I see the importance of the affective or emotional layer of family interactions.

Children, Young People and Parents/Carers. The family would be affected by all the previous major life events mentioned and be affected by stress in any of the various ways. Families depend on their various members being able to come together and work as a team in order to support one another. The entire families will be impacted by events e.g. the death of a family member or a redundancy. This may lead to various degrees of stress on how bad the actual event was and how the family can overcome the experience and engage the support to help

Stress is part of our lives. We live with it, deal with it, and above all worry about it. Our way of life, the area in which we live, the economy, and our jobs can cause a great deal of stress. Not everyone deals with the same level of stress and there are several factors that can impact our lives and cause us to have higher or lower stress levels. We can have stress caused by Cataclysmic events which according to Feldman (2009) are events that can affect many people at the same time and are “disasters such as tornado and plane crashes, as well as terrorist attacks”. (p418). Other factors are personal stressors and can be caused by events such as a divorce, death or a loved one or the loss of a job. (Feldman, 2009). The

Every family has a unique system with a set of rules, mostly unspoken, that govern their behavior and interactions. In dysfunctional families, the symptom of their dysfunction is typically sourced within their family system. The symptom also has a function – it protects family members from uncomfortable conflict. Dysfunctional families and couples often maintain negative patterns of interacting, and are unable to transition into new behavioral patterns without therapeutic intervention. In order to help families develop out of their systematic ways of behaving, it is important to understand the specific family system that is presented. With a keen understanding of the family’s culture, beliefs, etc., the therapist can develop therapeutic rituals, which are prescribed actions aimed at altering behavioral patterns that are responsible for maintaining the symptom. The ritual is not a verbal explanation or criticism of the family system, rather it is a specific set of actions designed to help families create new patterns of interaction and meaning in their relationships. (p, 5).