The Theoretical Context of Family Therapy - Chapter 2

Question 1

Define: Family

Answer 1

people who are:

• biologically and/or psychologically related
• are connected by historical, emotional, or economic bonds
• perceive themselves as part of the same household.

Question 2

Define: Parenting stress

Answer 2

• the difficulty that comes from the demands of parenting

- this involves characteristics of the child, the parent, and the context

Question 3

Define: system

Answer 3

• an interacting set of parts or people that make up a whole.
• Each part of the system is affected by whatever happens to any other part of the system.

Question 4

What are the 4 principles of all living systems?

Answer 4

• The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
• A system is composed of subsystems arranged in a hierarchical structure.
• Systems adopt self-stabilizing mechanisms to maintain homeostasis and equilibrium.
• Systems adapt and change in response to their environment.

Question 5

Define: cybernetics

Answer 5

• the way that systems regulate themselves through feedback loops.

Question 6

Define: homeostasis

Answer 6

• a state of equilibrium

Question 7

How does a family maintain homeostasis?

Answer 7

• through cybernetics

Question 8

Define: feedback

Answer 8

• the communication within a system

Question 9

What do feedback loops do in family systems?

Answer 9

• feedback loops either keep behaviors in check or promote change.

Question 10

Define: Negative feedback loop (attenuating feedback loop)

Answer 10

• a feedback loop that promotes a return to equilibrium.

Question 11

Define: Positive feedback loop (amplifying feedback loop)

Answer 11

• a feedback loop that causes change in the system.

Question 12

Name and describe the 3 different time dimensions in human life:

Answer 12

• Individual Time: the time between birth and death.
• Social Time: important social events throughout life (marriage, parenthood, retirement, etc.)
• Historical Time: the era and culture in which a person lives.

Question 13

Name the 6 stages of the life-cycle for the intact middle-class nuclear family:

Answer 13

1. Single young adults leaving home.
2. The new couple
3. Families with young children
4. Families with adolescents
5. Families launching children and moving on
6. Families later in life

Question 14

Define: The cohabitation effect

Answer 14

• a phenomenon where couples who live together before marriage experience lower marriage quality, more negative communication, less dedication, and higher divorce rates after marriage.

Question 15

Kids living with cohabitating parents vs. married parents tend to have:

Answer 15

• more behavior problems
• poorer school performance
• higher levels of psychological distress

Question 16

What are common issues that prompt singles to seek family therapy?

Answer 16

• A weak sense of self-
• An inability to emotionally or physically separate from one’s family of origin
• Lack of social skills, leading to trouble establishing significant relationships with others

Question 17

Some evidence suggests that high marital satisfaction is correlated with:

Answer 17

• a high level of idealistic distortion about the spouse/ the marriage

Question 18

A couple’s ability to use _________ especially during conflict, predictions good relationship health

Answer 18

• humor

Question 19

Name 8 common decisions that couples consider important:

Answer 19

• Where they will live
• How many children they will have
• Parenting styles
• How they will spend and save money
• The amount of free time they will spend together
• Household chores
• Decisions about a crisis
• Future plans

Question 20

Name 4 common issues that prompt new couples to seek counseling:

Answer 20

• An inability to adjust to living as a couple
• Difficulty with relatives (family of origin or in-laws)
• An inability to work through interpersonal issues (like communication patters)
• Deciding whether (or when) to have kids.

Question 21

Parents’ behaviors have an effect on what 6 parts of a child’s life?

Answer 21

• social adjustment
• academic success
• self-concept
• self-regulation
• physical health
• mental health

Question 22

Sometimes the husband is confused as to what their role should be with their new child. What causes this confusion?

Answer 22

• confusing societal expectations of fathers.

Question 23

Name 2 common issues that prompt families with young children to seek counseling:

Answer 23

• The upheaval and reorganization of relationships and lifestyle that accompanies that addition of a child
• Struggling to establish controls for a young child

Question 24

If all goes well during adolescence, the adolescent will develop Planful Competence. What is this?

Answer 24

Planful Competence: when the adolescent has a fairly realistic understanding of their intellectual abilities, social skills, and emotional responses to others.

Question 25

Name 3 common issues that prompt families with adolescents to seek counseling:

Answer 25

• Conflict between parents and teens
• Spousal detachment or anger over changes in the couple relationship as partners age, realizing that dreams and opportunities are slipping away.
• Stress related to balancing care for aging parents with demands of work and family life

Question 26

During the “launching children and moving on” stage of family life cycle, men and women tend to face the empty nest in different ways. Describe how they differ and why.

Answer 26

Women:

• Focus their attention on their own pursuits, now that they have more free time.
• Some women who define themselves as “mothers” fall into sadness and depression

Men:
- usually focus on their bodies, marriage, and occupation

Question 27

Name 3 common issues that prompt empty nesters to seek counseling:

Answer 27

• A sense of loss with oneself, loss of marriage, or child moving out
• Conflict with a child who is not becoming independent enough
• Frustration or anger with one’s marriage or career ambitions

Question 28

Define: Senescence

Answer 28

• gradual physical decline with aging

Question 29

Older couples often worry about:

Answer 29

• Having enough money after retirement to care for themselves
• Loss (of drivers license, health, familiar surroundings, spouse)
• Chronic illness

Question 30

Name 3 common reasons for family later in life to seek counseling:

Answer 30

• A lack of meaning or enjoyment from the loss of work, caring for children, or death of a spouse.
• Concerns about aging, like facing health declines or mortality
• An inability to establish good relationships with children, in-laws, or grandkids.