Structural Family Theory Literature Rev
Structural Family Theory Literature Review
Structural family theory is a technique employed by social scientists that offers perspectives and tactics that strengthen and examine the familial unit (Walsh, 2014). Developed by Salvador Minuchin, structural family theory looks at the unspoken rules within a family and how they affect the organization of the unit. It is the job of the social worker to accurately identify the patterns, presented rules, and their effect on the family. Structural family theory encompasses many concepts; a few of them being, subsystems, boundaries, and rules. Subsystems refers to the functional, normal interactions and alliances between two or more members within a family system (Walsh, 2014). Internal boundaries are “…barriers that regulate the amounts of contact that members or subsystems are expected to have with each other (Walsh, 2014).” Whereas, external boundaries are “... the separation of the family unity from outside systems (Walsh, 2014).” “Rules are the behaviors and responsibilities to which each family member is expected to adhere (Walsh, 2014).” Structural family theory is unique from other social theorems in that this theory is adaptable to many different venues or situations, such as within the business world. Structural family therapy also affords the therapist to use seemingly unorthodox intervention methods, such as social media.
Adolescent Adjustment to Parental Divorce: An Investigation from the Perspective of Basic Dimensions of Structural Family Therapy Theory Researchers David Abelsohn and Graham Saayman (1991) examined a group of forty-five adolescents of divorced homes and found there was a direct correlation between their overall personal adjustment to their family’s structure, post-separation. According to the article, there are three key components to ensuring healthy adolescent adjustment post-separation: cohesion, adaptability, and generational hierarchy. “Cohesion refers to a
Structural family theory is a technique employed by social scientists that offers perspectives and tactics that strengthen and examine the familial unit (Walsh, 2014). Developed by Salvador Minuchin, structural family theory looks at the unspoken rules within a family and how they affect the organization of the unit. It is the job of the social worker to accurately identify the patterns, presented rules, and their effect on the family. Structural family theory encompasses many concepts; a few of them being, subsystems, boundaries, and rules. Subsystems refers to the functional, normal interactions and alliances between two or more members within a family system (Walsh, 2014). Internal boundaries are “…barriers that regulate the amounts of contact that members or subsystems are expected to have with each other (Walsh, 2014).” Whereas, external boundaries are “... the separation of the family unity from outside systems (Walsh, 2014).” “Rules are the behaviors and responsibilities to which each family member is expected to adhere (Walsh, 2014).” Structural family theory is unique from other social theorems in that this theory is adaptable to many different venues or situations, such as within the business world. Structural family therapy also affords the therapist to use seemingly unorthodox intervention methods, such as social media.
Adolescent Adjustment to Parental Divorce: An Investigation from the Perspective of Basic Dimensions of Structural Family Therapy Theory Researchers David Abelsohn and Graham Saayman (1991) examined a group of forty-five adolescents of divorced homes and found there was a direct correlation between their overall personal adjustment to their family’s structure, post-separation. According to the article, there are three key components to ensuring healthy adolescent adjustment post-separation: cohesion, adaptability, and generational hierarchy. “Cohesion refers to a
References: Abelsohn, D., & Saayman, G. S. (1991). Adolescent adjustment to parental divorce: An investigation from the perspective of basic dimensions of structural family therapy theory. Family Process, 30(2), 177-191. Deacon, S. A. (1996). Utilizing structural family therapy and systems theory in the business world. Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, 18(4), 549-565. Méndez, N., Qureshi, M., Carnerio, R., & Hort, F. (2014). The intersection of Facebook and structural family therapy volume 1. American Journal of Family Therapy, 42(2), 167-174. doi:10.1080/01926187.2013.794046 Walsh, J. (2014). Theories for direct social work practice, Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.