MODELS OF FAMILY FUNCTIONING Three of the most widely recognized models in the field of family studies are 1 Structural 2 Intergenerational 3 Contextual Structural Family Functioning Three Main Assumptions in Structural Model 1 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 with one 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 Concepts a group within a larger system that shares common functions or other 1 Subsystems commonalities determined by gender generation or interest imbalance in the family s power and authority clear distinctions between levels 2 Hierarchy 3 Parentification 4 Boundaries 5 Disengaged 6 Enmeshment 7 Alliance 8 Coalition 9 Cross Generational Coalition Power and control relegated to children or parents rely on children regulate how family members are to interact with one another rigid boundaries little involvement diffuse boundaries over involvement parent undermines executive functions and authority of parental subsystem external social or environmental events or family pertains to the environment in which the family functions 1 member of family sides with a second member against a third 10 Adaptation 11 Context how the family reorganizes its structure in response to internal demands and the set of circumstances or facts that surround a particular event situation individual inappropriate alliance one parent and child against the other Generations Links that connect parents and children as well as ties to others who are connected INTERGENERATIONAL MODELS to the parents and children Generational Processes The connections that people have to traditions patterns emotions values and ways of relating that 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 How we use the environment to help us learn and cope Our aspirations values struggles resourcefulness and the attitudes that we have toward other Influence what is important to us 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 ways 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 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 Transmission o 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 Concepts o 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 model o Refers to both properties of the family system and to attributes of the individuals Fusion o Emotionally Adhered o Poorly differentiated o 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 System o Describes 4 basic relationship patterns that govern where problems develop in a family o Attitudes and beliefs about relationships play a role in patterns but primarily are driven by emotional system 4 Family Projection Process o A strategy for handling fusion and anxiety o Parents displace part of their unresolved emotional attachment or conflicts onto children o Parents anxiety is lessened by