FCS 4845 Theoretical Frameworks Conceptual frameworks for

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FCS 4845
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Theoretical Frameworks

• Conceptual frameworks for studying marriage and
  the family
• A wide variety of perspectives are used by
  researchers, theoreticians, and clinicians to
  look at families

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Cont.

• Theories
  Family systems
  theory Family
  strengths framework
  Family development framework
• These theories are discussed later

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Cont.

• Theories continued
  Symbolic interaction framework focuses
  on the internal workings of family
  Social construction framework proposes
  that individuals are profoundly immersed in the
  social world
  Feminist framework assumes women in our
  society are exploited, devalued, and oppressed

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Family as a System

• In family systems perspective the family is seen
  as a living organisms
• The family systems theory assumes that to help
  individuals the important focus should be on the
  family as a whole
• The family members are interconnected and operate
  as a group, or system

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Cont.

• 2 types of family systems
• Open family system- positive feedback, organized
  and open to change
• Closed family system- not open to change or
  responsive to input, negative feedback

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Family Development Framework

• Views families as they move through various
  stages of the family life cycle and looks at how
  family members deal with various developmental
  tasks

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Key Terms

• Crisis
• Situation

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Hills ABC-X Model

• Foundation for a social systems model of family
  stress lies here
• A the provoking or stressor event
• B the familys resources or strengths
• C the definition or meaning attached to the
  event by the family
• X stress or crisis

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Cont.

• Stress is not seen as inherent in the event
  itself but conceptually as a function of the
  response of the disturbed family to the stressor
• A stressor event is an event that changes some
  aspect of the family system

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Cont.

• The degree of stress is dependent on
  1. The magnitude of the event
  2. The resources the family possesses
  3. The definition of the event/perception
• Family resources mediate the impact of the
  stressor event on the familys level of stress

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Cont.

• Potential resources include financial,
  education, health, and psychological
• Event the impact of the stressor event on the
  familys level of stress is also mediated by the
  definition or meaning the family gives to the
  event

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McCubbin Pattersons Double ABC-X Model

• Expanded Hills ABC-X Model by adding post
  crisis/post stress factors to explain how
  families achieve satisfactory adaptation to
  stress or crisis, their model consists of the
  ABC-X model followed by their Double ABC-X Model

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Cont.

• Aa refers to pile up, includes 3 types of
  stressors
  1. Unresolved
  aspects of the initial stressor event
  
  2. Changes and events that
  go on regardless of stressor
  3. The consequences of
  the familys effort to cope

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Cont.

• Bb familys resources are of 2 types
  1. Resources already available to the family
  that help minimize impact of initial stressor 2.
  Coping resources that are strengthened or
  developed in response to the stress or crisis
  situation

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Cont.

• Cc refers to
  1. The
  perception of the initial stressor event
  
  2. The perception of
  the stress or crisis
• Xx Implies that original family crisis/stress
  response and subsequent adaptation

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Strengthening Marriage/Family

• Family Strengths Framework focuses on how
  couples and families succeed rather than why they
  fail.
• If one studies only problems, one finds only
  couple and family problems.

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Cont.

• When the strengths are identified, they can be
  the formation for continued growth and change.
  Just solving problems is not enough, boosts moral
• Focus on the characteristics of healthy families
  and how these concepts can be used to enhance the
  quality of family life

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Family strengths, stereotypes, and challenges in
groups

• Several traits in common with all ethnic groups
  and cultures
• Cohesion
• Adaptability
• Positive Communication

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Cont.

• Strengths of White families - three foundation
  characteristics of cohesion, flexibility, and
  communication
• Strengths of African American families - strong
  kinship bonds, work orientation, strong religious
  orientation

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Cont.

• Strengths of Latino families - Hispanic families
  seem to be evolving toward egalitarian marital
  relationships, similar to those of White families
• Strengths of Asian American families - tend to
  emphasize the extended family network and respect
  for the elderly

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Cont.

• Strengths of Native American families - find
  strength from their communities and from nature
  and that they possess the relationship strengths
  families in other ethnic groups have

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Circumplex Model

• Can be represented graphically as a relationship
  map
• A relationship map based on the family systems
  theory, the Family Circumplex Model has 3 basic
  dimensions cohesion, flexibility, and
  communication

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Cont.

• The concept of dynamic balance , the Circumplex
  Model describes 3 general types of family systems
  (Balanced, Mid-range, and Extreme) and 16 more
  specific types

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Cont.

• Specific types
  Chaotic ( disengaged,
  connected, cohesive, and enmeshed)
  Flexible (
  disengaged, connected, cohesive, and enmeshed)
  
  Structured ( disengaged, connected, cohesive, and
  enmeshed) Rigid (
  disengaged, connected, cohesive, and enmeshed)

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In Conclusion

• The response to a stressor event may result in a
  higher level of functioning