Anorexia- Family systems Theory

Question 1

Family systems theory

Answer 1

Individuals cannot be understood in isolation from one another instead as a part of their family

Question 2

Minuchin et al

Answer 2

Developed the psychosomatic family model which states that the condition for AN to develop was a dysfunctional family alongside physiological vulnerability in the child ; so the aim of treatment must be to change the way a family functions

Question 3

Enmeshment

Answer 3

• Extreme form of proximity and intensity in family interaction
• Over involvement with lack of boundaries
• Barber+Buehler say it restricts development of childrens skills to deal with social stressors making AN more likely
• Children may differentiate identity to assert independence by refusing to eat

Question 4

Autonomy

Answer 4

• Contraints on family members as they are not allowed to become independent and develop autonomy (freedom to make decisions)
• Enmeshed families stick with same patterns denying need for change in the family
• May try to gain autonomy by controlling their body instead ; the thinner the more control

Question 5

Control

Answer 5

• Psychosomatic family has overprotective control over members
• High degree of concern for each others welfare which can damage their ability to control outcomes in their life
• Children may rebel against this control by not eating

Question 6

Rigidity

Answer 6

Psychosomatic families show a lack of flexibility in adapting to new situations ; in the face of stress increase rigidity of patterns of behaviour to resist exploring alternatives

Question 7

Lack of conflict resolution

Answer 7

Have a low tolerance for conflict and difficulty acknowledging and resolving problems ; families of AN patients typically show false appearance of togetherness and tend to avoid over conflict (Latzer+Gaber)

Question 8

Conflict related behaviours

1.Triangulation

Answer 8

Pair of family members incorporating or rejecting a third family member e.g associate with one parent but reject the other so unable to express themselves

Question 9

2.Parent-Child coalition

Answer 9

Child moves into a more stable coalition with one parent ; this parent responds to child’s needs with excessive concern while the other parent withdraws and is less responsive

Question 10

3.Detouring

Answer 10

When parents cannot resolve problems between them direct their focus from themselves onto the child ; may then become identified as the problematic member of family - known as scapegoating as child’s well being is sacrificed to avoid marital conflict

Question 11

*Evaluation

Support for enmeshment

Answer 11

Manzi et al found a distinction between family factors that contribute to emotional development ;Family cohesion was indicative of supportive family interactions whereas enmeshment was based on manipulation and control
Cohesion was linked to positive outcomes and psychological well-being yet enmeshment had the opposite effect

Question 12

Gender bias

Answer 12

Gremillion says the approach is based on mother daughter relationships yet enmeshment is nearly always seen as a maternal origin therefore therapy to reduce enmeshment tends to focus on reforming dysfunctional mothers and not look at the role of the father who also contribute with demanding actions and change leading to AN

Question 13

Limitation of psychosomatic family model

Answer 13

Research has attempted to test its predictions however had inconsistent findings; Kog and Vandereycken failed to find characteristics given by the model in families of those with AN making it unclear If they exist or are present prior/ after the disorder