MODELS OF FAMILY FUNCTIONING- Three of the most widely recognized models in the field of family studies are:1. Structural2. Intergenerational3. Contextual Structural Family Functioning- Three Main Assumptions in Structural Model1. Operate within social context that defines behavior parameters.2. Context is organized into a structure.3. Some structures are better than others. What is structure?- According to Minuchin (1974), structure refers to:- The invisible set of functional demands that organize the way family members interact withone another over time.- Two dimensions of structure:1. Composition – the persons that comprise a family.2. Organization – unique set of rules governing the patterns of interaction found within the extended family system.- The family’s organizational structure encompasses:1. The manner in which family subsystems are organized.2. The hierarchical relationships between family subsystems.3. The clarity of the boundaries within and between subsystems. Minuchin’s 11 Main Concepts1. Subsystems – a group within a larger system that shares common functions or other commonalities (determined by gender, generation, or interest). 2. Hierarchy – clear distinctions between levels.3. Parentification – imbalance in the family's power and authority.- Power and control relegated to children – or – parents rely on children.4. Boundaries – regulate how family members are to interact with one another.5. Disengaged – rigid boundaries; little involvement.6. Enmeshment – diffuse boundaries; over-involvement.7. Alliance8. Coalition – 1 member of family sides with a second member against a third.9. Cross-Generational Coalition – inappropriate alliance – one parent and child against the other parent; undermines executive functions and authority of parental subsystem.10. Adaptation – how the family reorganizes its structure in response to internal demands and external social or environmental events.11. Context – the set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event, situation, individual, or family; pertains to the environment in which the family functions.  INTERGENERATIONAL MODELS- Generations: Links that connect parents and children as well as ties to others who are connected to the parents and children. Generational Processes- The connections that people have to traditions, patterns, emotions, values, and ways of relatingthat become the heritage and determine the lifestyle of each family.- Influence how we think, feel, believe, and relate to others.- Whether we think the world is a friendly or unfriendly place.- Influence what is important to us. - How we use the environment to help us learn and cope.- Our aspirations, values, struggles, resourcefulness, and the attitudes that we have toward other people, property, religion, and education.- Dictate how we handle conflict, intimacy, anger, love, hate, and life in general.- Every aspect of family life grows out of and builds upon these processes.- INFLUENTIAL BECAUSE: Some parts of the processes are permanent. Difficult to change processes. Processes begin early (before birth). Generational Processes Principle- Healthy generational processes tend to create many productive and enabling outcomes in family systems, and unhealthy generational processes tend to create serious problems in families.1. Generational Alliances - The connections and boundaries between subsystems in a family system; changing the boundaries.- Occur when two or more individuals in a family become unusually close and align themselves as a unit in the family.- Generational alliance principle: Clear boundaries between generations help the adults and children develop in healthy ways. When cross-generational alliances and coalitions occur it tends to lead to emotional and interpersonal difficulties for the adults and children.Examples of Coalitions: o When a parent persuades a child to side with him or her against the other parent.o When a wife or husband sides with their own parent against their spouse.o Subsystems cannot execute the tasks they need to and boundaries are no longer clear.2. Generational Transmissiono The process of transmission from one generation to the next – ways of behaving, feeling, defining reality, and coping with intimacy and distance.o Parents can serve as role models for behavior.- Generational transmission principle:  Families tend to transmit their lifestyle to each new generation.Examples: Abuse, alcohol, stubbornness, parenting styles, ways to nurture and maintain relationships, religious views.- Unhealthy Transmission – Levels of differentiation and parents' unresolved emotional attachments are reenacted in future relationships and passed along to succeeding generations.- Tend to select a spouse at the same level of differentiation as self. Bowen – Focuses on how family of origin experiences establish a legacy that impacts:1. The development of individual family members.2. The patterns of adjustment found in subsequent generations of the family. Bowen’s 8 Interlocking Conceptso The premise underlying Bowen’s theory is that individuals from poorly differentiated families will manage their unresolved issues with the family of origin in ways that are destructive to the self and subsequent generations of the family. 1. Differentiation:o The level of separateness tolerated in a family; evaluated through the management of identity and boundary tasks, emotional climate.o Most basic concept in Bowen's modelo Refers to both properties of the family system and to attributes of the individuals. Fusion:o "Emotionally Adhered"o Poorly differentiatedo Emotional oneness, low tolerance for individuality.o Similar to Enmeshed (structural)2. Triangles:o One of Bowen's most enduring concepts in the field of family therapy.o The building block of the family's emotional system; a dyad remains stable until unmanageable stress is brought into the system.o Can occur when there is too much or no differentiation of emotional climate; a triangle may be used to manage conflict.o 3 person/object cycle to maintain balance.o Examples: a child, work, an addiction, a lover, sickness, hobby – lower anxiety level.o According to Bowen, triangles are the most stable form in nature: heat, strength.3. Nuclear Family Emotional Systemo Describes 4 basic relationship patterns that govern where problems develop in a family.o Attitudes and beliefs about relationships play