Structural Family Therapy

Question 1

What does the concept of family therapy allow the therapist to do?

Answer 1

Intervene in a systematic and organized way.

Class 9 notes P. 1

Question 2

What does Structural add?

Answer 2

a recongnition of the overall organization that supports and maintains family interactions.
Class 9 notes P.1

Question 3

Who is the founder of Structural Family Therapy?

Answer 3

Salvadore Minuchin.

Class 9 notes P. 1

Question 4

What are the 3 key interlocking constructs of Structural Family Therapy

Answer 4

Family Structure, Subsystems, and Boundaries

Class 9 notes P. 2-3

Question 5

What does Family Structure refer to?

Answer 5

The ways subsystems interact and transact to coordinate family life successfully.
Class 9 notes P. 3

Question 6

What areas is the Family Structure concerned with?

Answer 6

• Authority and Power
• Communication
• Interactions > Alliances and coalitions
  Class 9 notes P. 3

Question 7

How would you describe the patterns that a family establishes to transacts various tasks?

Answer 7

Consistent, repetitive, organized, predictable behaviors.

Class 9 notes P.3

Question 8

How is the family structure reinforced?

Answer 8

Through established rules?

Class 9 notes P. 4

Question 9

How is the family structure shaped?

Answer 9

Partly by universal rules/constraints and partly by idiosyncratic rules/constraints.
Class 9 notes P. 4

Question 10

What are the components of family systems called?

Answer 10

Subsystems.

Class 9 notes P. 5

Question 11

Name the 5 subsystems of the family system.

Answer 11

Individual, spousal, parental, sibling, and Extended sub systems.
Class 9 notes P. 5

Question 12

What is the purpose of a family subsystem?

Answer 12

To carry out certain family tasks that are necessary for the successful functioning of the family.
Class 9 notes P. 5

Question 13

Family subsystems are differentiated based on what?

Answer 13

• generation (granparents/parents/children)
• Gender (male/female)
• Function (who is responsible for what)
  Class 9 notes P. 5

Question 14

What are invisible boundaries?

Answer 14

Rules that serve to regulate contact with others.

Class 9 notes P. 5

Question 15

Name one negative aspect of a Rigid Boundary.

Answer 15

It can restrict contact between family members and subsystems.
Class 9 notes P. 6

Question 16

Name a positive aspect of a Rigid Boundary.

Answer 16

It can facilitate the autonomy and freedom - Independence.

Class 9 notes P. 6

Question 17

What is a function of a Clear Boundary?

Answer 17

It can clearly define boundaries between subsystems, maintain separateness and emphasize belongingness. They are firm yet flexible.
Class 9 notes P. 7

Question 18

Describe a Diffuse Boundary.

Answer 18

I can offer closeness and support at the expense of autonomy, independence and freedom. It can foster enmeshment.
Class 9 notes P. 7

Question 19

From a Structural perspective, normal family functioning has to do with what?

Answer 19

With how a family deals with their problems and challenges - how they interact and transact.
Class 9 notes P. 8

Question 20

What must newlyweds do to negotiate challenges successfully.

Answer 20

Accommodate to one another and create healthy boundaries and define boundaries between themselves and extended families.
Class 9 notes P. 9

Question 21

What 2 functions of interaction do families have?

Answer 21

Reciprocal and complimentary.

Class notes P. 4