Structural Family Therapy – Flashcards
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Harry Aponte, Salvador Minuchin, Charles Fishman, Braulio Montalvo
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Key Theorists (4)
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Salvador Minuchin
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developed the theoretical foundations for structural theory
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a system structured according to set patterns and rules that govern interactions.
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Structural family therapist's view the family as...
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multiple subsystems that function within the whole.
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The family is composted of...
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organism in itself.
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The family is more than an aggregate of differentiated subsystems, it is an...
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structure, boundaries, patterns, rules, and detrimental familial processes.
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The therapist works with the family by educating and assisting family members to become aware of...
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covert rules
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the compiled system-defined structure; govern family interactions
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covert rules and interactional patterns
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usually not explicitly stated or consciously recognized; established through communication on overt and covert levels
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relationship rules
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the interactional rules that address the management of closeness and distance
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non-verbal cues
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are indicative of the internal structure of and interactional patterns of the family
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closeness, hierarchies, areas of specialization and expertise, and patterns of cooperation
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interactional patterns include issues include issues associated with...
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interactional patterns and rules
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are defined by the family and contribute to the structure of the system
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internal rules and norms
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work together and influence structure
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cultural differences and cultural norms, associated with gender and marital expectations
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influence interactional and transactional patterns
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cultural norms, interactional patterns, family history, and intergenerational rules
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relevant factors in the formation of family structure
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the uniqueness of an individuals family of origin and the associated intergenerational rules
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influence the structure of the the new system
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the process of accommodation and negotiation
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necessary components in determining the new family structure
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dyads, generations, gender, task, families, extended family, the block, the society,
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subsystems
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the parental, marital/spousal, and sibling subsystems
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subsystems often targeted in evaluating a family
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developmental stages and tasks
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subsystems are formed in congruence with...
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individual, spousal subsystem, parental subsystem, sibling subsystem, intergenerational subsystems
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development of subsystems
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covert coalition; a destructive coalition and a source of conflict
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when two members join against one or more family members
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boundaries
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invisible barriers that regulate the amount and type of contact; rules defining who participates and how; directly associated with the interaction and communication withing a subsystem; described as diffuse, rigid, or clear; developed and maintained by each member's cultural norms, family-of-origin influences, experiences, and worldview
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development
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dependent on the subsystem's boundaries and ability to negotiate with others to develop appropriate skills and problem solving techniques
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subsystems (not the family itself)
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tend to be enmeshed or disengaged
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the clarity of a subsystem's boundaries
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the level of communication, interaction, and involvement in relationships
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assessment of a system's boundaries
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requires sensitive consideration of cultural influences
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rigid boundaries
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subsystems that have difficulty or lack of communication and maintain overly structured, restrictive interactional patterns; tend to lead to disengagement
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diffuse boundaries
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intense levels of communication and overinvolvement; the bx of one member immediately affects the entire system; tend to result in enmeshment
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clear boundaries
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a normal range of communication and interactional patterns; define "normal" relationships and appropriate family functioning; well defined and allow members to function with levels of independence and interdependence
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the adequacy of the boundaries
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one of the most important aspects to the viability of the family structure
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managing proximity and hierarchy
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boundaries protect differentiation and autonomy of the family and its subsystems by...
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to obtain assurance that the structural process will provide benefits for the entire family; to alter the dysfunctional structure to promote problem solving
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the ultimate goal in the structural approach
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eliminate the presenting complaint, resulting in a well-defined and structured system
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family structure is transformed and subsystems are restructured and reorganized to...
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the process of restructuring the family system
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not a single intervention but involves a constant effort toward achieving the therapeutic goal, a healthy, structured system
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generational hierarchy, a parental coalition, a spousal subsystem, clear boundaries between all individuals and subsystems
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a healthy functioning family includes the establishment and maintenance of:
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the transformation or restructuring of the family system
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leads to a change in interactional patterns and ways individuals "relate" to one another
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as the therapist assists the family in restructuring the system
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the presenting problem and symptoms are concomitantly resolved
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(a) joining and accommodating, (b) mapping family structure, (c) intervening
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the structure of therapy is divided into three phases:
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Joining and Accommodating
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the process in which the therapist enters the family system in a hierarchical stance as the "leader"; the therapist must be able to adapt, accommodate, and join the system's rules, patterns, and worldview
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family map
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the structure of the family system is assessed and determined through the construction and conceptualization of a...; a static entity identifying each member's position while highlighting interaction patterns, conflicts, and coalitions; the therapist devises an initial hypothesis, compiles diagnostic info., and begins initial goal setting procedures
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diagnosing
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the working hypothesis that the therapist evolves from their experiences and observations upon joining the family
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identifying and delineating components within the system and the family map
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goals are established and explored through the process of...
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the intervention techniques
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the process of assessing and constructing the family map overlaps with...
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intervening
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therapist's use of techniques that strengthen and clarify structure and boundaries
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enactments, boundary making, unbalancing, and challenging assumptions
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interventions applied while focusing on restructuring the family system to address the problem
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(a) boundaries, (b) complementarity, (c) hierarchy, (d) conflict management
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Assessment of the system's structure most critically includes:
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Boundaries
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identifying boundaries and relational rules; assessing the quality of boundaries (clear, rigid, diffuse) in each subsystem with the awareness that diffuse in one subsystem are often counterbalanced in another
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Complementarity
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reciprocal or complementary aspect of a relationship between two family members; when exaggerated can lead to reciprocal characteristics within the relationship, problems such as pursuer-distancer, active-passive, dominant-submissive
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Hierarchy
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determined and maintained by system's rules, boundaries, and interactional patterns; the arrangement and structural delineation of power within the system
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Conflict Management
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the system's ability to resolve conflict and negotiate solutions; the manner in which it deals with conflict management and resolution; identifies detourers of conflict and switchboards
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disengaged families
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family members avoid contact to avoid conflict
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enmeshed families
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family members develop cross-generational coalitions to manage conflict
