What is family structure theory?

Answer 1

Key Person(s) and Biographical Summary · Salvador Minuchin o Developed an approach, which addressed the chaotic structure found in families · Barulio Montalvo, Bernice Rosman, Marianne Walters Key Concepts · 3 constructs make up the components of this theory and describe how the family interacts: o Family Structure § Internal organization of invisible demands/codes by which the family operates and interact with one another o Family Subsystems § Components of the family structure, which are then defined by interpersonal boundaries and rules of membership § 3 Kinds: Spousal, parental, and sibling § Can be temporary like a father and son going to a ball game or long term such as parents and siblings o Boundaries § Invisible barriers that regulate contact between members § 3 Kinds · Rigid boundaries lead to a impermeable barriers between subsystems o This causes a disengaged family in which the subsystems are separate and distinct (psychological isolation) o Autonomy is maintained · Diffuse boundaries are excessively blurred and indistinct o There is little generational hierarchy and parents and kids easily trade roles o This system is referred to as being enmeshed in which the members are over involved in each other's lives o Members have difficulty developing relationships outside the system · Clearly defined boundaries between subsystems help maintain separateness yet at the same time emphasize connection to the family as a whole · Role of the therapist: o Therapist joins the family and takes a leadership position o Therapist ascertains the family's underlying structure o Therapist transforms family's structure · Therapeutic Process o Opening phase § Joining and accommodating § Working with interaction § Mapping structural patterns o Focusing on the underlying structure § Highlighting and modifying structure o Transformation of structure § Boundary making § Unbalancing § Reframing View of Pathology / Normality · Normality o There is no absence of problems, but just a functional family structure. · Pathology o Structure fails to adjust to changing circumstances o Disengagement o Enmeshment Therapeutic Techniques · Accommodation - Automatically adjusting to accommodate the clients language, tone, or style · Tracking - Utilizing the symbols that are gathered through observations of the family, ex. nicknames · Reframing - Rewording · Unbalancing - Making changes in the power structure so that power is realigned to the correct subsystem · Enactment - Role play in order to observe family interaction · Joining - Demonstrate understanding and acceptance and disarm

Answer 2

Family structure theory is the philosophy which determines the hierarchical standard of which family constructs to maintain its social structure and the frame work which indicates bio-technical way of orders.