Stages of Family

Question 1

Family Systems Theory

Answer 1

In order to understand an individual, you must understand their context (existence within a family). Relationship amongst parts of a system impact the individual parts. Family systems seek homeostasis; emotional distress is seen as a relational problem rather than an intrapsychic problem with ONE individual.

Question 2

Subsystems within a family

Answer 2

Individual subsystems, marital/partner subsystem, sibling subsystem, parental subsystem

Question 3

Larger systems that may encompass the family

Answer 3

Neighborhood, religious community, community/city, nation (USA! USA!)

Question 4

Identified Patient

Answer 4

Person in family system exhibiting symptoms, but symptoms result from system as a whole

Question 5

Genogram

Answer 5

Family tree; stories + relationships useful

Question 6

Positive feedback loop

Answer 6

No inhibition. One behavior increases the other behavior, which in turn increases the first behavior. EX. Man yells at wife –> Wife yelling at husband –> Husband yelling at wife –>. Repeat ad nauseum

Question 7

Negative feedback loop

Answer 7

Product inhibition. Increase in behavior in one place causes a parallel decrease somewhere else

Question 8

Double-Bind communication

Answer 8

Mismatch between physical/nonverbal communication and verbal communication

Question 9

Healthy communication

Answer 9

Open, honest, and consistent

Question 10

Disengagement

Answer 10

Tight boundaries within the family. No contact among family members. Insufficient support/structure.

Question 11

Enmeshment

Answer 11

Loose boundaries within family. Too much contact among family members; inappropriate sharing/relationships. May have lack of differentiated roles in family.

Question 12

Differentiation of self

Answer 12

To function healthy, an individual needs to see themselves as a different human being than their family. Need to think critically about emotional issues within the family rather than acting out on them (drama) and without blaming others

Question 13

Fusion

Answer 13

Opposite of differentiation. Individual does NOT see himself outside the family role. Rational thinking overwhelmed by emotion. 2+ ppl lack boundaries. Increased during stress.

Question 14

Bowen’s family systems concept

Answer 14

Dyads are inherent unstable because conflict can occur. Triangles occur via triangulation, a normal and common phenomenom. Higher stress, more people brought in. Temporarily stabilizes relationship, but overall makes stabilization difficult because third party individuals needed for continued stability.

Question 15

Spirituality/Religion and health

Answer 15

Intrinsic (not extrinsic) religiosity linked with positive health outcomes. Source of community, material support. HOWEVER, may involve prescriptions against specific types of healthcare.

Question 16

Greatest stress in families occurs?

Answer 16

Transition points: marriage, birth/adoption, death, deployment/return, incarceration, child leaving home, loss of employment. Heightened Stress –> Symptoms, stress during an earlier transition point may re-appear as symptomalogy during a later transition point.

Question 17

Healthy adjustment for children of divorce

Answer 17

Children know whats going on and why, have time to process with parents, have basic economic and psychologic needs met, able to maintain important family relationships from before divorce, relationship between parents is supportive and cooperative, CO-PARENTING IN RELATIONSHIP IS CENTRAL