Family Dynamics
Delivered June 24, 2020. Contributor: Melissa C.
Goals
To determine background research on the topic Family Dynamics to build a webinar with supporting evidence that includes articles, case studies, and possible exercises related to the concept.
Early Findings
- Family dynamics exhibit patterns of relationship building, or interactions between family members with each family
system and its dynamics unique.
- Traditional individual therapy focuses on problems
in a linear manner (event A caused problem B). Family systems theory, in comparison, views problems
in a circular manner, or a systemic
approach (both A and B are seen to exist in the context
of the relationship by influencing the other).
- People who have close familial relationships have a higher well-being and lower rates of depression and disease throughout their lifetime.
- In a functional family, parents strive to create an environment in which everyone feels safe, heard, loved, and respected.
- Functional families provide a resilient foundation, privacy, accountability, an apology when needed, allow reasonable expression of emotions, gentle teasing and sarcasm, allow for growth and change, embody co-parenting skills, working relationships, provide clear boundaries, eat meals together, and follow the golden rule.
- Parents must take time to reflect on their own stress levels because children often observe and react to their parent’s emotions.
- Strong cultural traditions have
to a certain extent protected families from conflicts.
- Family dynamics have a strong influence on the way young people see themselves, others and the world, and influence their relationships, behaviors and their well being.
Case Studies
- Parents ignore the pesky behavior and instead put their focus and energy on the positive attributes their kids exhibit to build stronger family relationships.
- Resilient children have what it takes to get up and try again. They are more flexible than many of their peers who are easily overwhelmed.
- Parents dole out punishment together and never go behind one another’s back nor withhold anything from each other concerning their children.
- Social policy and popular culture promote a two-parent nuclear family as an ideal structure for raising successful, healthy children, but the reality of family life in America looks very different.
Worksheets
- The Healthy Boundaries Tips worksheet presents standard advice for creating healthy boundaries with topics that include values, assertiveness, and setting limits.
- Small Talk Discussion Cards are a fun therapeutic activity for kids that asks a simple question about one of three topics, along with a more challenging 'Digging Deeper' question or activity.
- The Setting Boundaries worksheet teaches clients to set healthy boundaries by covering language for speaking assertively, boundary-setting tips, examples, and practice exercises.
- Family Questions is a fun activity that is great for breaking the ice in family therapy. Each family member answers a question about themselves, and then guesses how other family members will answer.
Research proposal:
Only the project owner can select the next research path.