Analytic Thought

Psych 441 Spring 2022

Key Family Concepts and Terms

(F. Walsh, Ed., 2015; Anderson and Sabatelli, 2011; community psychology resources, etc.)

The family is a complex structure. When viewed as a system, the family is defined by two central dimensions, its structure and its tasks. Refer to slides for these definitions as well as expanded definitions of family systems and related theories.

Family Structure

The family is composed of multiple subsystems. Structure refers to the systems and subsystems in the family. Structure can also be referred to in terms of the family equation of members. Thus, structural properties include the people who make up the family– the family equation–and the rules of relating, the unique patterns of interaction, and family dynamics.

Family Processes

Grounded in family systems family processes consider both average and optimal functioning in terms of the normal basic processes across all human systems. There is a dependence on the biopsychosocial variables. These processes affirm dynamic over time, various coping styles and multiple pathways to adaptation. These processes occur in struggling families as well.

Biopsychosocial Systems Orientation: Considers the multiple recursive influences in individual and family functioning. The bidirectional influences of genetic/environmental vulnerabilities and other social influences must be considered.

Family Developmental Framework: This framework considers developmental processes in multigenerational systems.

Maintenance Tasks

These are the tasks that all families have, and they are involved with providing food, shelter, clothing, and education.

Maintenance Resources

The amount of time, energy, and money that the family has available to accomplish its maintenance tasks.

Family Strategies include First-Order and Second-Order Tasks.

First-order Tasks

These tasks are the essential business of family life that are common to all families and that all families are required to fulfill.

Identity Tasks are also first order tasks. Identity tasks include 1) Constructing family themes, 2) socializing family members with respect to the various aspects such as gender and sexuality, and 3) establishing a satisfactory congruence for individuals within the family system.

Second-Order Tasks

These tasks relate to adaptability and managing system stress; managing the demands for change that occur within family systems over time.

Adaptation/Adaptability

How the family reorganizes its structure in response to internal demands and external social or environmental events.

Two interrelated terms linked to adaptability

` 1.Morphostasis

Refers to those processes operating within systems that resist changes in existing strategies.

2. Morphogenesis

Refers to those processes operating within systems that foster systematic growth and development.

Boundaries

Boundaries regulate how family members interact with one another and the flow of information. Within the structural model, this relates to who is in the system and its subsystems.

Terms related to Boundaries

Disengaged

The concept used to describe systems’ boundaries characterized by a high tolerance for individuality.

Enmeshed

The concept used to describe systems' boundaries characterized by a low tolerance for individuality.

Permeability

The degree to which the family's boundaries are relatively open or closed.

Internal and External: Boundaries within then family (internal) and those between the family and the outside world and its influences.

Interdependence

Mutual dependence and influence among the family systems’ members. Even factors that only appear to influence one person have an impact on others. A change in one part of the family system reverberates throughout the system.

Stress and Coping

Stress

The degree of pressure exerted on the family to alter the strategies it employs to accomplish its basic tasks.

Coping

The cognitive and behavioral problem-solving strategies that are used to respond to a stressor event.

Terms Related to Stress and Coping

Behavioral coping strategies

What the family actually does to manage stress.

Cognitive coping strategies

The perceptions and appraisals that people and families make with regard to specific stressor events.

Coping efficacy

The adequacy of the efforts undertaken by the family to reduce stress.

Coping resources

Those properties, attributes, or skills individuals, families, or societies have at their disposal when adapting to novel and demanding situations. Coping resources serve to minimize vulnerability to stress.

Non-normative stressor/transitions/events

Unexpected events that create unanticipated hardships and require adaptations or alterations in the strategies used by the system to execute some or all of its basic tasks.

Normative stressors/transitions/events

The expected and ordinary developmental transitions affecting the family. Their key distinguishing features are that they are expected, occur regularly overtime, and carry with them ordinary difficulties.

Pile-up of stressor events

The total number of events, both normative and non-normative, that a family must contend with at any point.

Emotional Climate

Strategies for nurturing and supporting individual family members, building family cohesion, and managing stress and tension. Includes decision-making and control strategies and rules that foster cooperation and cohesion.

Resilience

2

Psych 441_Spring 2022_Family Concepts and Terms

Resilience can be defined as the capacity to rebound from adversity stronger and more

resourceful. Resilience involves positive transformation and growth that enables one to

deal effectively with challenges.

The Family Resilience Model or Framework applies to various types of family structures, as well as formal and informal kin networks. These relate to how families can be ways for 1. how to consider ways to reduce family stress and vulnerability, and 2. how to encourage growth out of a crisis. Resilience is often a key factor when families face long-term adversity. Key processes in family resilience include: 1. Belief systems, 2. Organizational patterns and resources, and 3. Communication (Refer to slides and to F. Walsh, 2016, p. 406, Table 17.1.)

Cultural competence

Generally defined as possessing the skills and knowledge of a culture in order to effectively work with individual members of a given culture. This definition includes an appreciation of cultural differences and the ability to effectively work with individuals.

Cultural humility

Ongoing process of learning about other cultures and being sensitive to cultural differences. Cultural humility includes acknowledging one’s own lack of knowledge about aspects of culture and recognizing power dynamics that impact the relationship

Informal support

Social and emotional support that comes from one’s informal network (e.g. family, friends, spiritual advisors, mentors) rather than formal sources (i.e. professionals)

Resource collaborator

In contrast to the ‘expert’ role of diagnostician or therapist, this is a role taken by the community psychologist to offer resources and collaborate with community groups

Strengths orientation

An emphasis on the strengths and capacities of individuals and communities, rather than a focus on deficits

Disabilities/diversabilities

Visible or hidden and temporary or permanent conditions that provide barriers or challenges, and impact individuals of every age and social group.

Well-being

A positive state of affairs that involves a transaction between individuals and supportive relationships and environments that results in meeting the needs of individuals

Power and empowerment: a relational concept that emphasizes choice, control and the ability to influence

Promotion/prevention

Related concepts that emphasizes the promotion of well-being and competence and the prevention of psychosocial problems

Values: a set of principles, based on moral reasoning, which guide our behavior

Table Source: G. Nelson & I. Prilleltensky, (Eds.). Community psychology: In pursuit of liberation and well-being.