Family System Theory Essay Example

part or member of the family will trigger broader transformations throughout the entire unit.

Adaptation is required from all family members as roles and functions acquire new meanings. These changes become an integral part of the system and do not revert back to its previous state (Edelman, 2006). Family system theory can be seen as a system that is changed by input from its surrounding environment and also exerts influence on that environment. Simply put, when change happens, the family system is both influenced by and influences its environment. The concept of interdependence closely aligns with the idea behind family systems theory, focusing on the relationship between family members rather than the relationship between the environment and family members.

When it comes to the family, everything one person does is related to what the other person does. With the family, studying this case will be a very prominent concept. In a family, many problems arise and when they do, the members of the family (system) must depend on each other to get through them. Therefore, interdependence is a crucial component in examining the family systems theory (Brown, 1999). Feedback mechanisms are responses that provide information about an operation or behavior. These mechanisms give feedback to the family regarding their progress towards their goals and aspirations and also determine whether they are moving in the opposite direction of their goals. They are responsible for conveying the reality of the situation within the family - revealing what is truly happening, which goals are still achievable and realistic, which goals have changed, whose roles are shifting, and where exactly the family is headed at any given moment.

A system's boundary

is a dividing line that arbitrarily defines the inside and outside of a system. The hierarchy of systems determines the relationships between two or more boundaries. Boundaries typically determine what is included in a system and what the system contributes. The hierarchy determines which boundaries interact and which do not (Bryannan, 2000). Every family and relationship has inputs and outputs within it.

The system receives and utilizes inputs to carry out its designated function or attain its goal. Outputs are the consequences or by-products of the system's activity that are given back to the environment. Essentially, inputs refer to the impressions, experiences, and interactions that a family undergoes on a daily basis. Outputs, on the other hand, are the outcomes that result from those experiences, impressions, and interactions and are returned to the environment. It is crucial to note that every input has a direct impact on the output, underscoring the significance of exposing oneself to positive outputs (Bryannan, 2000).

The importance of rules of operation in a family system cannot be overstated. These guidelines dictate what is expected, allowed, and prohibited in a given set of circumstances. They provide structure for all members to follow, determining both what should and should not happen. While every family has a unique set of rules, even the smallest network of rules is present in every family (Brown, 1999). To assess a family using this theory, I will be examining the Rudolph family.

This is a family that lives three houses down from my own parents' home. The Rudolph family consists of Eddie, 36 (father), Liz, 32 (mother), and their two sons: Brenden, 10 and Jaron, 8. Unfortunately, Eddie could

not attend the interview as he is currently in prison. However, Liz, Brenden, and Jaron were present for the interview. They also live with Liz's mother, Delmarie, who is 67 years old. Additionally, Delmarie's mentally impaired son Earnest Jr., who is 39 years old, resides with them as well.

The family home is a tidy, one-story 4-bedroom house that belongs to Delmarie and her deceased husband, Earnest Sr. It is situated in a middle-class area and is diligently kept. Delmarie has no financial difficulties, and the house has been completely paid off. The dwelling offers ample sleeping accommodations for the family and includes heating, clean water, and sanitation amenities. Moreover, the kitchen features running water, a refrigerator, and there are also laundry facilities with a washer and dryer.

Within the residence, there are two smoke detectors and no signs of vermin. The family attests that the home is comfortable and offers ample space. Moreover, the streets are well-maintained and instances of violent crimes or theft are minimal.

The family lives a few blocks from their sons' grade school. They also attend a nearby church. Delmarie is retired, while Liz works at a steel factory. Liz and her mother, Delmarie, have similar beliefs about health. They both think that living and eating well are crucial for maintaining good health. They firmly believe that their family is healthy in both body and mind.

The family seems to adhere to this belief as their health seems to be relatively good. Liz has only been hospitalized for giving birth and has only experienced occasional illnesses like colds and sinus infections. Delmarie has high blood pressure (HTN) and takes medication for it. Earnest Jr.

has diabetes (DM) and takes medication for it.

Delmarie is currently worried about the violent behaviors of a family member who takes Seroquel. The whole family clarifies that they have no mental health problems and have not received therapy as a family or individually. Brenden and Jaron are both in good physical condition, with no hospitalizations and updated immunizations. Additionally, none of the family members drink alcohol, smoke, or use drugs.

All members are at a healthy weight and affirm having meals three times a day. The two children and Liz engage in regular exercise. Delmarie confesses her dislike for exercise, citing lack of time due to taking care of her son who requires supervision. Delmarie primarily stays at home after her husband's passing, attending church and visiting nearby family members. The entire family possesses health insurance and undergoes routine medical check-ups. Both adults in the family drive as they own two cars.

The cars are in good working condition. Jaron and Brenden are excelling in school, participating in various hobbies and after-school programs. Both enjoy flag football, while Brenden runs track and Jaron plays baseball. The family's overall home and physical health is fair, but concerns arise regarding the major changes in their extended family over the past 2 years. Prior to Delmarie's husband's passing, they frequently engaged in community activities such as bowling, football games, and vacations to Alabama and Tennessee, their birthplaces.

Eddie and Liz, along with their two sons, frequently socialized with family and friends. They also enjoyed occasional alone time by going out for dinner and movies when they had a babysitter.

The family system theory played a significant role in guiding

my assessment of this family. I examined the changes that have taken place within the family over the past couple of years and evaluated their impact on each family member.

A pivotal event in this family's journey was the passing of Delmarie's husband, which instigated a series of transformations.

Following the passing of Earnest Sr., only Delmarie, him, and their son Earnest Sr. resided in the residence. Delmarie encountered profound sadness and could not overcome it, resulting in extreme seclusion as she adamantly stayed indoors.

She also ceased her hypertension medication and was admitted to the hospital due to chest pain. Subsequently, Eddie, Liz, and their two sons, Brenden and Jaron, relocated to live with her. Their purpose was to monitor her wellbeing and ensure she didn't feel lonely following the passing of her spouse of 45 years. Family dynamics remained harmonious until Eddie faced unemployment and resorted to selling marijuana after unsuccessful job searches. Consequently, his arrest took place, and he is currently serving an 11-month jail sentence for possession with the intent to distribute.

The entire immediate family has been affected by these two major changes, causing permanent alterations. Delmarie and Liz often reminisce about the past and wish for a return to the way things were. Although the family system seems to be working, it is not functioning at its full capacity because their spouses are absent. Furthermore, this family used to actively participate in community activities and outings but now restricts its engagement with the broader environment.

The recent changes have caused the family to become closed off and limited, making it difficult for them to adapt. Coping with death and potential separation is necessary

for the family to move forward, but this family has not fully accomplished that. Even Jaron and Brenden have struggled to adapt, refusing to discuss their feelings about losing their male role models. The unresolved grief and emotions within this family may impact future generations.

In terms of strengths and weaknesses of the family systems theory, there are two important strengths for advancing practice. Firstly, the theory is straightforward and easy to apply, without complicated terminology or wording.

The theory posits that the family system is interconnected, meaning any impact on one member has repercussions for all members. It also underscores the significance of strong familial bonds since the overall welfare of the family relies on them. Teaching this concept to young children is crucial. Nonetheless, a downside to this theory is its limited allowance for individualism as it views each member as part of a unified system rather than as individuals. Another weakness lies in suggesting isolating the system from external influences and restricting interactions solely within the system, which may result in isolation in certain families.

The family of Delmarie, Liz, Brenden, Jaron, and Earnest Jr. would benefit from health promotion interventions. I recommend family counseling for all members to address unresolved grief. It is especially important for the two children who have not been able to discuss the loss of their grandfather and their father's imprisonment. Liz believes her sons are ashamed of their father's incarceration, leading them to avoid discussing it. They also struggle to talk about their grandfather due to the sadness it brings. I explained to Liz that counseling is necessary to address these emotions of loss and shame.

Delmarie could benefit from

joining a grief support group to talk about her loss and meet others who share her problem. Liz should socialize more with friends and family and consider returning to school to further her education. Her two sons should continue their schoolwork and participate in extracurricular activities. Earnest Jr. should regularly visit his doctor to adjust his medication and address violent tendencies that disrupt the family. The family can also spend time together reflecting on the past while embracing the future.

The family needs to understand that life may never be the same, but it can still be fulfilling. To conclude, the family system theory highlights the strength of a united family during crises and stresses the importance of support from other members.

The issue with the theory is that the entire family is affected when one person dies or faces problems, and each part of the family is affected differently. If one family member is unable to adapt, the entire family suffers and may experience negative effects. The family will never function in the same way after this change, and sometimes the change can be so extreme that the family unit breaks apart and ceases to function. The Rudolph family requires counseling to address their feelings of grief and loss. Since they have not been able to do so internally, they need assistance from outside sources. Given that all members have insurance, arranging counseling for the family should be relatively easy if both adults agree to it. I have strongly expressed my support for counseling and support groups for Delmarie and Liz.

The family will need to keep adjusting to change as Eddie will be released from jail

in a few months and will be unemployed again, needing money to support his family.