Basic Techniques; Resilience; Assessment through Systems Perspective

Question 1

Family Resilience

Answer 1

Decreasing risk factors

Reducing negative chain reactions that heighten the risk for sustained impact and further crisis

Strengthening protective family processes and reducing vulnerabilities

Bolstering family and individual esteem and efficacy through successful problem mastery

Question 2

McCubbin’s Family Stress Model (Resiliency)

Answer 2

Found resiliency factors that help a family maintain resilience in the presence of stressful events
(protective and recovery)

1. Family problem solving and communication
2. Equality
3. Spirituality
4. Flexibility
5. Truthfulness
6. Hope
7. Family Hardiness
8. Family time and routines
9. Social support
10. Health

Question 3

Circumplex Model

Answer 3

By David Olson

Look at closeness (disconnected or over-connected)
Look at flexibility (overly flexible or inflexible)

Question 4

Circumplex Model: Closeness

Answer 4

Unbalanced: Disconnected

- too much (I) separateness
- little closeness
- lack of loyalty 
- high independence

Balanced: Somewhat Connected to Very Connected

- good I-We balance
- moderate to high closeness
- moderate to high loyalty
- interdependent 

Unbalanced: Overly Connected

- too much (We) togetherness
- too much closeness
- loyalty demanded
- high dependency

Question 5

Circumplex Model: Flexibility

Answer 5

Unbalanced: Overly Flexible

- too much change
- lack of leadership
- dramatic role shifts
- erratic discipline

Balanced: Somewhat Flexible to Very Flexible

- can change when necessary
- shared leadership
- role sharing
- democratic discipline 

Unbalanced: Inflexible

- too little change
- authoritarian leadership
- roles seldom changed
- strict discipline

Question 6

Basic Techniques: Joining

Answer 6

• Make an attempt to connect with each individual on some level
• Your goal is to establish a safe environment for the family and the individuals
• Part of this is your empathy, therapeutic stance
• Another part is your curiosity
• Getting the perspective of each family member

Question 7

Basic Techniques: Curiosity

Answer 7

• What is bringing this family in at this specific time?
• Assess for interaction patterns (circular vs. linear)
• Listen for process vs. content
• Very important to get each person’s perspective
• How are other systems impacting the family?
• What is family structure like?