Morphostasis
Resisting Change
Morphogenesis
Adapting to Change
Internal Boundaries
Between family members; close vs. distant
External Boundaries
Between family and outside world; open (diffuse/permeable vs. closed)
Intergenerational transmission
Each generation internalizes the behavior of the previous; previous generation acts as a model
Equifiniality
Many paths lead to the same outcome
Predictor 1, 2, 3 -->Same outcome (behavior, disorder, success)
Multifinality
Same Predictor can lead to different outcomes, depending on context
Predictor (genetics, trauma, attachment) --> Outcome 1, 2 or 3
Genograms
Family tree for displaying intergenerational family structure and information, it maps family structure, records family history and presents circumstances, and describes family relationships and roles over time
Object Relations Theory
Object relationships are initially formed during early interactions with primary care givers. These early patterns form templates for later relationships.
-you think that the world is a dangerous place. this person is going to hurt you. people relationshi
Family Rules
-Habitual patterns of interaction
-Govern the interactions between family members and maintain homeostasis and family functioning
Interpretations from genogram
-Pattern repetition across generations, especially in quality of boundaries, illnesses, quality of relationships
-patterns related to sibling position
-patterns related to birth circumstances
-patterns related to onset of symptoms
Whats going on once the
Horizontal Stressors
Ongoing as the family develops
Vertical Stressors
Occurred in the past: trauma, immigration
Tasks of Young Adulthood
1. Differentiation: separation from family while staying connected
2. Formulate personal life goals
3. Establish a Unique Identity: what will person take away from family origin, leave behind, create for themselves
Problems of Young Adulthood
1. Family does not recognize need for shift to less hierarchial form of relations
2. form new relationships before identity is established (likely more to happen with woman more than men)
3. difficulty committing to relationships, center identity around w
Becoming a Couple: Tasks
1. Joining of 2 extended families; establish differentiation from families of origin
2.establish boundaries around new marital subsystem (dont talk about marriage even if they are having problems)
3. balance independence/personal goals with interdependenc
Problems: Couples
1.difficulty establishing boundaries around new marital subsystem
2.lost in old patterns of relationships with family of origin ( where new couples may get in trouble)
3.difficulties with intimacy, conflict regulation, communication
Families of Young Children : Tasks
1. responsiblities/workload increases, balancing caretaking with self-care
2.protecting marital relationship
3.negotiating parenting/gender roles
Families of young children: challenges
1. blurred boundaries (Kids-adults)
2. child's temperament
4. inability to set limits and or take responsibility
5. decrease in marital satisfaction
6. return to traditional gender roles and lowered self esteem for women
cant handle childs anger, not bein
Family with adolescents: tasks
1.requires flexible boundaries-experimenting with depedence/indenpedence
2.shift from hierarchial to egalitarian boundaries
girls who dont have father figures tend to date more and have more partners
Family with Adolescents: Challenges
1. Co-occurs with midlife crisis of parents
2.Lowest marital satisfaction of any stage
3.Lack of community supports
4.Family values are tested around autonomy; sexuality
Midlife: Tasks
1.Newest and longest stage because of low birth rate
2. Need to adapt to high number of entries and losses of family members (sandwich generation)
3. Need to renegotiate terms of the marriage
parents are left as empty nester :late 40s early 50s- new life
Challenges of midlife
1.Creates new opportunities for growth
2.Coping with disruption, emptiness, loss
3.Multiple caretaking stresses
Family in Late Life: Tasks
1.Adapt to physical changes
2.Adapt to retirement - new identity/new role
3.Generativity
4.Becoming increasingly dependent
transmitting whatever wisdom learned to others
putting energy into subsequent generations
Family in Late Life: Challenges
1.Financial insecurity
2. Loss of partner
60% of people > 65 are women
70% of people >85 are women
Can't shift status and relinquish power to younger generation
(have trouble being generative (giving the younger generation a chance)
Criticism of Stage Theory
1. Culturally and gender specific
2. Doesn't reflect recent trends
3. Doesn't include gay/lesbian family life cycle progression
4. Doesn't include families with handicapped or dysfunctional family member, or early death