CHAPTER 3: Types and Functionality of Families Family Therapy: History, Theory, and Practice 6th Edition Samuel T. Gladding Developed by Nathaniel N. Ivers, Wake Forest University © (2015, 2011, 2007) by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Overview Types of Families Qualities of Healthy Families Structure, Resources, and Coping Strategies

Types of Families Nuclear family Single-parent family Blended family Dual-career family Child-free family

Types of Families Special-needs-child/children family Aging family Multigenerational family Grandparent-headed family Military family

Qualities of Healthy Families According to research, healthy families are able to do the following: Adapt to change Set appropriate boundaries Develop relationships through open communication Promote responsibility Express confidence in themselves and their children Optimistic about the future

Qualities of Healthy Families Understand what issues to address and how to address them Do not operate from an extreme cognitive or emotional framework Exert appropriate amount of energy toward matters Have realistic plans Have strong marital unit

Qualities of Healthy Families Commitment to the family and its individuals Appreciation for each other Willingness to spend time together Effective communication patterns High degree of religious/spiritual orientation Ability to deal with crisis in a positive manner Encouragement of individuals Clear roles

Family Life Stressors Vertical Stressors Bring past and present issues to bear reciprocally Inherited from previous generations Horizontal Stressors Aspects of life that relate to the present Developmental and unfolding and, at times, predictable

Family Life Stressors Expected Life Stressors Developmental Stressors Situational Stressors Unexpected Life Stressors Happenstance Physical/psychological trauma Success and failure

Family Structure and Functionality Symmetrical/Complementary Families Centripetal/Centrifugal Families Cohesion/Adaptability

Coping Strategies of Families Coping strategies of healthy families (Figley & McCubbin, 1983, p. 18) Ability to identify the stressor Ability to view the situation as a family problem rather than a problem of one another Solution-oriented rather than blame-oriented approach Tolerance for other family members Clear expression of commitment to and affection for other family members Open and clear communication among members Evidence of high family cohesion

Coping Strategies of Families Coping strategies of healthy families continued (Figley & McCubbin, 1983, p. 18) Evidence of considerable role flexibility. Appropriate utilization of resources inside and outside the family. Lack of physical violence. Lack of substance abuse.

Coping Strategies: ABCX Model A – Stressor event that happens to the family B – Resources at the family’s disposal C – Meaning or interpretation the family attaches to the experience X – Combined effect of these factors Hill ( 1949)

Coping Strategies: Double ABCX Model A theoretical framework for understanding how families respond to more than one event Similar to the ABCX Model Focuses on family resolution over time rather than geared to a single happening

Coping Strategies: Orders of Change First-Order Change Superficial change Not as likely to produce meaningful and lasting positive change Second-Order Change Results in metachange New set of rules and behaviors is introduced New type of behaviors appear

Coping Strategies Recognizing that stress may be positive and lead to change Realizing that stress is usually temporary Focusing on working together to find solutions Realizing that stress is a normal part of life Changing the rules to deal with stress and celebrating victories over events that led to stress (Curran, 1985)