5 - Structural Family Therapy

Question 1

Structural family therapy

Answer 1

• gives insight into how families function within different structures
• dev by Salvador Minuchin

The discovery was that families are organised in subsystems with boundaries regulating contact between family members

The 3 constructs:
A. Family structure
B. Subsystems
C. Boundaries

Question 2

Family structure

Answer 2

• describes the predictable sequences or pattern of how members interact
• party universal, partly idiosyncratic

Question 3

Sub-systems

Answer 3

• contain subsystems of members who join together to perform diff functions
• subsystems may be - single individuals, dyads, larger groups of family members

Question 4

Coalitions

Answer 4

• a member plays various roles
• coalitions - formed across generational boundaries ex: a parent and child against the other parent, grandparents and grandkids going against the wishes of the parents etc
• coalition creates power blocks in families
• covert coalition - more significant than the obvious groupings ex: mum and son etc

Question 5

Boundaries

Answer 5

• invisible barriers that regulate contact between members
• may vary between rigid and diffuse

Disengagement -

• rigid boundaries - very restrictive, permit little contact with outside systems
• individuals are more independent but isolated, limiting affection, warmth etc

Enmeshment -
- heightened feelings of mutual support, less independent and kids may have trouble engaging with ppl outside their family

Question 6

Normal family dev

Answer 6

• adaptive families modify their structure to accommodate to changing circumstances
• dysfunctional families - increase rigidity to structure that are no longer functional

Question 7

Goals of therapy

Answer 7

• alters family structure so families solves own problems
• structural change that leads to problem solving
• the creation of a hierarchical structure

With enmeshed families -
- to differentiate members and subsystems by strengthening their boundaries

With disengaged families -
- to increase interactions by permitting less rigid boundaries

Question 8

Therapeutic techniques

Answer 8

• the therapist joins the family system, alters boundaries and realigns subsystems toward change
• joining - demonstrating understanding and acceptance of family before attempting to make change
• enactments - encourage dialogues and playful or disciplinary interaction with kids to get a better understanding to how members relate to one another
• once a structural assessment of patterns of enmeshment and disengagement is made, the therapist begins to challenge structures that no longer work

Question 9

Critique

Answer 9

• criticised for the implication that all problems are interpersonal
• criticised for the theory’s unwillingness to contemplate inequalities’ of power as significant and to recognise that they were related to wider cultural patterns of inequality.