Unit 1: Theoretical foundations

General Systems Theory (Bertalanffy)

Views families as interconnected parts functioning as a whole; a change in one part affects all other parts, and the system strives for balance.

Open system

A system that interacts with its environment, adapts and grows.

Closed system

A system that resists outside input and is less adaptable.

Ripple effect (family systems)

A stressor affecting one member shifts the entire system and impacts all other members.

Problems in a family system are seen as...

Due to relationship dynamics and reciprocal interactions, not the responsibility of one member.

Healthy vs rigid family roles

Healthy systems have flexible roles and rules; rigid roles can contribute to distress or illness.

Function of symptoms in a family system

Symptoms can keep the system in balance; change often creates resistance before improvement.

Rigid vs diffuse boundaries

Too rigid = disengaged; too diffuse = enmeshed; healthy boundaries allow connection while supporting independence.

Divorce (family systems view)

Restructures roles, boundaries, alliances and communication; it does not end the family system.

Divorce stressors

Role changes, loss of extended family/friends, less time, money and energy, and parental conflict transferring anxiety to children.

Divorce and boundaries

System boundaries may need to become more permeable as parents introduce new people into the family.

Murray Bowen

American psychiatrist and family therapy founder who developed Family Systems Theory, viewing families as emotional units.

Key driver of dysfunction (Bowen)

Chronic anxiety within the family system.

Bowen's 8 concepts

Differentiation of self, triangulation, nuclear family emotional process, family projection, multigenerational transmission, sibling position, emotional cutoff, societal emotional process.

Differentiation of self

Ability to keep an individual identity while staying emotionally connected to family.

Well-differentiated person

Less emotionally reactive, clear boundaries, rational decisions, lower chronic anxiety, connects without being overwhelmed.

Poorly differentiated person

Emotionally fused/enmeshed, reactive, relies on others for validation, follows family expectations even when disagreeing.

Poor differentiation risks

Higher risk for anxiety, depression and people-pleasing behaviours.

Triangulation

Tension between two people is managed by involving a third person, which stabilizes anxiety but prevents direct resolution.

Triangulation example

Parents in marital conflict focus on a child's behaviour instead of their relationship.

Triangulation is more common when...

Family differentiation is low; it places children at risk of emotional distress.

Nuclear family emotional system

Predictable, repetitive patterns families use to manage anxiety, especially under stress.

4 patterns of the nuclear family emotional system

Marital conflict, dysfunction in one spouse, impairment in children, emotional distance.

Impairment in children (pattern)

A child is labelled "the problem," but the issue reflects broader family stress.

Family projection process

Parents unconsciously transmit their fears and anxieties onto a child, treating the child as if something is wrong.

Why family projection is self-fulfilling

Parents try to "fix" the problem they perceive, e.g. constant affirmation makes the child's self-esteem depend on it.

Multigenerational transmission process

Families pass patterns through generations; the most fused child moves toward lower differentiation each generation.

Why differentiation declines across generations (Bowen)

People choose mates with similar differentiation levels.

Emotional cutoff

Managing unresolved emotional issues by reducing or avoiding contact with family; avoidance replaces healthy communication.

Sibling position

Birth order influences personality; stress arises when birth-order expectations don't match the individual.

Oldest / middle / youngest child traits (Bowen)

Oldest = leader, responsible, overachiever; middle = mediator/peacemaker; youngest = free-spirited, creative, extroverted.

Societal emotional process

Extends family systems thinking to society; societal anxiety increases emotional reactivity, polarization, conflict and blame.

Societal stress effects on families

Financial strain, increased conflict and caregiver burden.

Scenario: Father anxious about conflict with partner confides extensively in daughter and asks her to take his side

Family projection process (study guide answer).

Scenario: Couple in marital tension repeatedly involves adult daughter in disagreements

Triangulation.

Family Life Cycle Theory (Carter & McGoldrick)

Family as a dynamic system evolving through predictable stages with emotional tasks to negotiate.

Core assumptions of Family Life Cycle Theory

Families change over time, each stage requires reorganizing relationships, and unresolved tasks interfere with later stages.

6 Family Life Cycle stages

Leaving home, joining through marriage/partnership, young children, adolescents, launching children, later life.

Families with adolescents: key need

Increasing flexibility and changing boundaries as adolescents become more independent.

Families in later life

Transitions include retirement, changing health needs and adult interdependence.

Transitions without support or adaptability

Can lead to mental health symptoms or unhealthy coping in family members.

RPN role in family life cycle

Identify stage and tasks, normalize transition stress, increase support, and tailor interventions to the stage.

Olson's Circumplex Model

Evaluates family functioning on two dimensions: cohesion and flexibility.

Cohesion (Olson)

Emotional bonding, closeness or connectedness between family members.

Flexibility (Olson)

Ability to change leadership, roles, rules and relationships.

Cohesion continuum

Disengaged → separated → connected → enmeshed.

Flexibility continuum

Rigid → structured → flexible → chaotic.

Balanced family (Olson)

Balanced cohesion and flexibility; most conducive to healthy functioning and coping with crisis.

Unbalanced family (Olson)

Disengaged or enmeshed, rigid or chaotic in response to stress.

Balanced levels on the model

Separated/connected cohesion and structured/flexible flexibility.

Disengaged

Very low cohesion; high independence, little closeness or loyalty.

Enmeshed

Very high cohesion; very high loyalty and dependency (fusion).

Rigid

Authoritarian leadership, strict discipline, roles seldom change, too little change.

Chaotic

Lack of leadership, dramatic role shifts, erratic discipline, too much change.

What helps families shift toward balance (Olson)

Positive communication skills, especially during crisis.

Cultural note on Olson's model

Enmeshment may be the cultural norm and accepted by all family members.

Scenario: Single parent, strict rules, emotion discouraged, unilateral decisions, teen mostly alone

Unbalanced: rigid and disengaged.

Scenario: Child involved in parental decisions, knows intimate details, rules and roles change daily

Unbalanced: chaotic and enmeshed.

Scenario: Emotionally very close family becomes distressed when a member seeks independence

Cohesion is elevated (enmeshed).