1. Family Systems Theory

2. Definitions
A system is defined as a whole made up of interactive parts. You can not add these parts together and get the total system. The system is more than the sum of it’s parts.

3. Family System
A family system is a social or biological construction made up of a set of people related by blood or intention.
Members interact in reciprocal relationships, responding to one another in the content of roles.

4. How they operate
Each family type describes the way the family system operates within each type
In assessing family types, Olson (1993) uses a multisystem assessment, which includes looking at different subsystems within the family, such as the martial system, parent-child system, and the family as a whole
Each family type can very much be thought of as separate family cultures, in which underlying group norms, role, behaviors and expectations

5. Interaction – the interplay between members
Reciprocity – both parties influence each other as they interact with each other
Roles – a character or function one plays

6. Family Communication communication is either good or poor
The types of systems families have reveal their communication types
Communication is verbal and nonverbal
It includes rules within the system

7. Wholeness, it is necessary to look at the family in it’s entirety – not just one or some parts
Boundaries- the lines of demarcation that indicate who is “in or out” of the system
They are physical or symbolic
Permeable- able to enter or exit the system
Open or closed

8. “Change vs Stability”
Family systems are stable in their chaos and orderly in their disorder
Families are predictable in general and unpredictable in detail

9. Homeostasis
The tendency of a system to return to a state of equilibrium
This is counteracted in the need for change in a living system

10. Subsystems
Smaller units within the larger system that share the characteristics of the larger system
Multiple identities with in the system

11. Feedback Loops
the feedback loop as a “path along which information can be traced from one point in a system, through one or more other parts of the system or its environment, and back to the point of origin
Feedback loops are of two types: positive and negative
A negative feedback loop has been likened to a homeostatic system, in which the feedback loop provides information that returns the system to some preset level and reduce deviation causes to the system.
A positive feedback loop tends to promote change

12. Three main dimensions, family cohesion, flexibility and communication
“family cohesion is defined as the emotional bonding that family members have toward one another” (Olson, 1993, p. 105)
“family flexibility is the amount of change in its leadership, role relationships, and relationship rules” (Olson, 1993, p. 107)
“family communication is measured by focusing on the family as a group with regards to their listening skills, speaking skills, self-disclosure, clarity, continuity-tracking, and respect and regard” (Olson, 1993, p. 108). 

13. Family cohesion has four separate levels
Disengaged
Separated
Connected
Enmeshed

14. Family flexibility has four levels
Chaotic
Flexible
Structured
Rigid

15. Rigidly Enmeshed Strictly enforce rules Negotiations are limited
Rules are unchanging
Roles are clearly defined
Little separation of self
Time together & little private space
Few outside friends
Decisions made by the whole not individual

16. Chaotically Disengaged
Little discipline
Limited leadership
Impulsive decision making
Little role clarity
Frequently changing rules
Emotional separateness
Low interaction
Private space
Individual friendships

17. http://www. christianmentalhealth
Marital Relationships

18. A disengaged relationship often has extreme, emotional separateness
A disengaged relationship often has extreme, emotional separateness. There is little involvement between the couple or a family member and a lot of personal separateness and independence. Individuals often do their own thing and have separate interests.

19. A separated relationship has some emotional separateness but is not as extreme as the disengaged system. While time apart is important, there is some time together and some joint decision-making. Activities and interests are generally separate but a few are shared.

20. A connected relationship has some emotional closeness and loyalty in the relationship. Time together is more important than time apart. There is an emphasis on togetherness. While there are separate friends, there are also friends and interests shared by a couple or family.

21. An enmeshed relationship has an extreme amount of emotional closeness and loyalty is demanded. Individuals are very dependent on each other and reactive to one another. There is a general lack of personal separateness and little privacy is permitted. The energy of the individuals is mainly focused inside the marriage or family and there are few outside individual friends or interests.

22. Cohesion focuses on the ability of the couple and family system to balance separateness and togetherness. Very high levels of togetherness (enmeshed) and low levels of togetherness (disengaged) might be problematic for a marriage and family. On the other hand, relationships having moderate scores (separated and connected) are able to balance being alone together in a more functional manner.