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Examples Of Family Systems Theory

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The Family Systems Theory
Family systems theory is a framework for understanding families and their strengths and dysfunctions. The strengths identified among family relations can be used to help solve existing problems. The same applies with problems identified. The family system theory is based on Bowen’s theory which argues that people cannot leave independent of each other’s network of relationships. People within a family are connected emotionally, which affects their overall well being and social relations and behaviour. There is a growing complexity and diversity in families. Family systems theory provides a foundation for analysis of such complex and diversified families, making it easy to understand for effective therapy (Zastrow & …show more content…

Like in the case study selected, Gustavo has a problem with addiction. Solving this problem needs the involvement of Gustavo’s relationships, and not the individual’s inner psyche like the traditional therapy methods do. This approach is based on the belief that a change in a person’s behaviour affects the family members and the family functions over time (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2009).
The case study presented is a perfect example illustrating this theory. Gustavo has an alcohol addiction problem. This has not only affected his relationship with his family members, but has also affected the functions of the family. The father now works had to pay his debts while he continues drinking. The family’s normal functioning is disrupted by full attention on him and worries about him (Reinaldo & Pillon, …show more content…

As indicated earlier, traditional therapy methods focused mostly on the individual. The system’s theory method includes the family. The Geno-grams provides framework that includes the family into the therapy process, and helps in indentifying the relationships between family members and the external environment (Cierpka & Sprenkle, 2005).
In the case study, if Gustavo was to be focused on solely without including the family members, it would not be easy solve the problem. It is indicated that he already convinced himself, and was trying to convince others that alcoholism is just a foolish habit and he can stop it anytime he wished. The analysis of those around him, the places he visits, how he relates with his family members and the people at work brought out facts about his real life. This convinced him to attend the AA program. His brothers had also given up on him, and they did not care about him so long as he was employed and was not causing trouble at home. After and involvement with the researchers of the AA program, the brothers accepted that alcoholism is a disease, and that their brother needed

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Nathalie Diaz’s poems “How to Go to Dinner with a Brother on Drug” and “ My Brother at 3 A.M” point out how drug and alcohol abuse cause stress and problems over a family. Diaz explains the struggle that her family has to be through because of her brother addiction. Diaz’s poems show her life and the struggle she needs to experience such as drug addiction, violence, and poverty. The brother addiction to the Meth causes the family fall in part.

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(1999). Bowen Family Systems Theory and Practice: Illustration and Critique. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy,20(2), 94-103. doi:10.1002/j.1467-8438.1999.tb00363.x Richardson, C. A., Gilleard, C. J., Lieberman, S., & Peeler, R. (1994).

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Throughout my whole life, my father has been an alcoholic. There have been times when he has tried to quit, but it never lasted for more than a few months. His addiction has brought on stressful times for my family. Some days we did not know where he was or if he was coming home. Although my father’s addiction might not have made the best childhood, he did show me the kind of person I did not want to be.

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Family structure talks about family arrangement and composition which includes the roles and interactions (Edelman, 2014). According to Minuchin (2012), the family structural theory emphasis on the important of the family structure and its changes that occurs and how the individuals in the family relate collectively over time to put up and accept each other. Minuchin says further that a well-functioning family will choose how to solve and handle the family experience with a positive outcome. The goal of a structural family is to express the strengths in each other in critical moments, and helping each other through it. Developmental theory is the methods used as the viewpoint of family tasking and development through phases of life (Edelman, 2014).

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A dysfunctional family is defined as one that is consistently unable to provide a safe and nurturing environment. Over time, the family develops a set of restrictions that inhibit the social and emotional growth of its members, particularly the children. Rigid restrictions are put in place to ensure consistency in behaviour in an effort to achieve a predictable and therefore 'safe' environment. Often the dysfunctional family evolves due to the occurrence of co-dependency in one or both of the parents, who in all likelihood, were raised in a dysfunctional family themselves.

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588 Words | 3 Pages

“Under The Influence: Paying the price of my father's booze” is an essay that was written by Scott Russell Sanders to describe his father drinking habit. In this essay, the author has used both comparisons and allegories to explain how his father’s drinking habit was very serious and how it affected his whole family. In addition, the essay describe explores the connection between excessive drinking and excessive working and compares the two. To start with, the author has talked about father’s extreme habit of alcohol drinking, stressing on the different changes his father showed every time he had a drink. Besides his father’s addiction in drinking, Sander has also talked about his lovely daughter who she also considers as an addict as well.

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SWD 5105: Skills in Advanced Social Work Practice (not more than 1200 words) 1) Bowen Family Systems Theory (The Bowen Center) This theory is the belief that we individuals are products of our own systems rather than be seen in isolation. There is always an explanation on why people behave or act in a certain way. Our relationship with our family members and the experience we had since birth all play a part to shape who we are now.

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Applying Bowenian and Structural Theories Valencia W. Wright Marriage, Couple, and Family Therapy HUMN – 6356 – 3 Dr. Emmett Roberts Walden University March 13, 2016 The Bowenian Therapy theory is multigenerational systems that is concentrated on the series of concepts and clinical. The creator of the Bowenian Therapy was Murray Bowen. The Bowenian therapy is somewhat like the Structural Family Theory because the both of them have steps that correlate together.

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The Application of Bowens’ Theory to the Case of Ana Bowen Theory Overview Bowen family therapy may be used with individual clients, couples, or their families. A basic construct in the Bowen theory is differentiation of self. Bowen stated that it is the differentiation of self in relation to the family of origin that they must balance the pulls of togetherness and separateness. Individuals vary in their level of self-differentiation and its process. The continuum of differentiation lies on one end and signals the ability to be able to think through situations clearly and on the other end is undifferentiation and implies the emotional dependence on family members.

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A Case Study with Case Formulation and Counselling skills for Children Formulation is one of the core skills practiced by psychologists. The development and maintenance of the client's problems and needs are elicited through a framework drawn on from psychological research and practice. It integrates knowledge acquired through assessment using 'psychological, biological and systemic factors and procedures'. Formulation may involve many hypotheses by drawing on various theoretical models, and provides a foundation for the development of the appropriate psychological intervention (DCP 2010 cited in DCP 2011). Variations of the formulation technique have been applied to develop frameworks specifically for family therapy (Carr 1990).

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Family theories have been used throughout the history of nursing to help guide patient care and provide the best patient outcomes. Certain theories may be more applicable to the specific patient encounter; however, each theory has benefits and drawbacks to their use. The purpose of this paper is to examine two selected theories, comparing their strengths and weaknesses. I will also discuss a theoretical family in relation to one theory, and how that theory can be best integrated into the care provided by an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN). Description of Theories

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1568 Words | 7 Pages

Families are said to constitute realities in which most of one’s attributes are constructed, based on the family interactions, beliefs, values as well as the behaviours that are seen in the specific families one is brought up into (Archer & McCarthy, 2007). However, even though most of one’s personal characteristics may be heavily influenced by their families; people do have a sense of individuality that makes them unique from any other person in the family (Becvar & Becvar, 2013). Therefore, one may argue that it is these differences that may cause misunderstandings in families.

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722 Words | 3 Pages

Family systems therapy is basically evaluating the family system functioning as a unit and there are a few types of family therapy that uses this approach such as “structural family therapy, intergenerational family therapy and strategic family therapy” (Family Solutions Institute MFT Study Guide). The approach I think most useful would be structural family therapy which examines the family relationships, styles and common attitude during a therapy session. This allows the therapist to get a better understanding of what is going on in the family and the best way to solve

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813 Words | 4 Pages

In mapping this communication, the eight principles measured by Brown may become apparent not only to the therapist, but for the first time, the family may be able to see just how their functions are impeding the balance of their family and condoning strong exhibitions of universal traits within particular family members. The Bowen family therapy approach is invested in the intergenerational processes that are prevalent between generations (Bohlinger, 2010). By increasing differentiation between family members and between the generations, if possible, giving each triangle meaning rather than repetitive opportunities at increasing anxiety (Bohlinger, 2010). Focusing on this historical perspective, the origin of the family and environmental factors that surround the progress of this family, the genogram focuses itself on growth and self-actualization as the ultimate goal for the intervention (Nichols,

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Quoting Bowen, Satir, Minuchin, Carter and McGoldrick, Family Systems can be defined as the one which focuses on How the family system affects the individual and family functioning across the life-span of any Individual functioning shapes family functioning and family systems can create 'pathology' within the individual boundaries, roles, communication, family structure influence family functioning. Furthering the Theoretical background S. Freud, Adler, Jung, Horney, A. Freud, Kernberg, Kohut, Klein, Mahler, Bowlby where in they define Psychodynamic Theory as that involves Classical psychodynamic theory, Ego-psychology, Object-relations theory, Self-psychology which inturn defines How human inner

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