Showing papers in "American Journal of Family Therapy in 1993"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the variables and patterns gathered from their interviews and found that the resiliency themes extracted included: the ability to find emotional support outside the family; self-regard or self-think well of oneself; spirituality; external attribution of blame and cognitive style; and inner-directed locus of control.
Abstract: The 22 women interviewed in this study were in a high-risk group for low self-esteem, depression, shame, and other long-term interpersonal difficulties due to their survival of childhood sexual abuse. Unlike many of their contemporaries, they have been able to have relationships, stable careers, and healthy personalities. This paper explores the variables and patterns gathered from their interviews. The resiliency themes extracted included: the ability to find emotional support outside the family; self-regard or the ability to think well of oneself; spirituality; external attribution of blame and cognitive style; and inner-directed locus of control.
290 citations
TL;DR: Forgiveness is a growing interest in the literature and its implication for therapeutic practice as mentioned in this paper. However, empirical research and formal theory about forgiveness and methodologies for their use with clients are practically nonexistent.
Abstract: The literature indicates a growing interest in the phenomenon of forgiveness and its implication for therapeutic practice. However, empirical research and formal theory about forgiveness and methodologies for their use with clients are practically nonexistent. Certified clinical members of the American Association of Marital and Family Therapists in the Maryland area rated their level of development of techniques to assist clients in forgiving themselves, forgiving others, and seeking forgiveness for wrongdoing. Therapists' openness to client religiosity and age of therapists explained approximately 26% of the variance. Gender, educational level, and personal religiosity of the therapists showed no significant relationship. Implications for direct family practice and theory development are discussed.
115 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an index of salient social support irrespective of source was found to be related to level of negative affective symptoms, while the marital relationship was the most frequently named source of support, but co-workers were named equally often as a source of interpersonal stress.
Abstract: Many authors have noted the importance of the marital relationship for regulating mood. Marriage is asserted to be a primary source of both social support and interpersonal stress. In the current investigation, an index of salient social support irrespective of source and an index of salient interpersonal stress irrespective of source were found to be related to level of negative affective symptoms. As predicted, the marital relationship was found to be the most frequently named source of support, but co-workers were named equally often as a source of interpersonal stress. Marital satisfaction was found to be the most consequential interpersonal variable for predicting level of negative affect.
107 citations
TL;DR: For instance, the authors found that parental alienation may be provoked by other than custodial matters, that cases of alleged sexual abuse may be hinted, that slow judgments by courts exacerbate the problem, that prolonged alienation of the child may trigger other forms of mental illness and that too little remains known of the long-term consequences to alienated children and their families.
Abstract: Because parental alienation syndrome (PAS) is newly recognized and described, it must be redefined and refined as new cases are observed and the phenomenon becomes better understood. New evidence suggests that alienation may be provoked by other than custodial matters, that cases of alleged sexual abuse may be hinted, that slow judgments by courts exacerbate the problem, that prolonged alienation of the child may trigger other forms of mental illness, and that too little remains known of the long-term consequences to alienated children and their families.
66 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined coping and family adaptation in siblings of cancer patients, their ill brothers or sisters, and a control group consisting of nonclinical children who have healthy siblings.
Abstract: This study examined coping and family adaptation in siblings of cancer patients, their ill brothers or sisters, and a control group consisting of nonclinical children who have healthy siblings. Assessments included children's self-report measures of coping and family adaptation. Variables of individual differences, including gender and age of the sibling, and family constellation factors, including birth order and number of siblings in the family, were examined to determine effects on coping. Better adaptation was found in larger families, while decreased family involvement was found among older siblings. Recommendations for future research include elucidating the process by which children adjust to having a chronically ill sibling in their family.
62 citations
TL;DR: A critical review and synthesis of the codependency literature is offered, along with an intergenerational family systems framework for conceptualizing the relationship of the dysfunctional family to the construct of codependence, for systemic clinical work and research.
Abstract: According to an increasing number of experts on addictions, untold millions of people in our society are codependent. Yet, the construct of codependence is variously defined, undermining its clinical and research utility. In addition, the relationship between the various symptoms (e.g., addictions), the dynamics of dysfunctional families, and codependence has not been fully developed. This paper offers a critical review and synthesis of the codependency literature, along with an intergenerational family systems framework for conceptualizing the relationship of the dysfunctional family to the construct of codependence. The paper presents a theoretical basis for systemic clinical work and research.
49 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the self of the individuals involved, in the family business system, within the societal context are explored as three interacting, mutually impactful levels or units, and a case vignette is presented to illustrate the dynamics and functioning of a family business and the intervention approaches a consultant might use.
Abstract: Family business consultation is an expanding arena of interdisciplinary practice and collaboration. In this article, the self of the individuals involved, in the family business system, within the societal context are explored as three interacting, mutually impactful levels or units. Some major premises about family businesses are articulated and a case vignette is presented to illustrate the dynamics and functioning of a family business and the intervention approaches a consultant might use.
47 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the impact of economic stressors and discuss how Adlerian marital therapy strategies can be tailored to help middle-income couples deal with such stressors.
Abstract: This article describes the impact of economic stressors and discusses how Adlerian marital therapy strategies can be tailored to help middle-income couples deal with such stressors.
42 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined perspective-taking differences among a sample of 259 individuals in high-and 43 individuals in low-adjustment marriages, and four hypotheses were tested that demonstrated that females in high and low adjustment marriages did not differ in their perspective taking ability with others in general.
Abstract: Perspective-taking is defined as the cognitive ability to understand the point of view of another. Recent studies have demonstrated that perspective-taking is an important component of a satisfying marriage, and therapists have spoken of the need for perspective-taking training. The present study examined perspective-taking differences among a sample of 259 individuals in high- and 43 individuals in low-adjustment marriages. Four hypotheses were tested that demonstrated that females in high- and low-adjustment marriages did not differ in their perspective-taking ability with others in general. However, males and females in high- and low-adjustment groups did differ in their perspective-taking with their spouses (dyadic perspective-taking). Males and females in high-adjustment relationships perceived their spouses to be better at dyadic perspective-taking than individuals in low-adjustment marriages. Implications for family therapists include the need not merely to teach perspective-taking skills ...
36 citations
TL;DR: This paper reviewed three primary ways in which law enforcement can affect relationships (organizational influences, peer/socialization influences, and police role influences) and identified some common difficulties encountered by these couples, and provided some basic goals and strategies for engaging them in treatment and addressing these issues in couples therapy.
Abstract: A great deal of attention has been given to the issue of stress in law enforcement and its impact on individual officers. However, the literature has not equally addressed the effects of police work on officers' relationships. This paper reviews three primary ways in which law enforcement can affect relationships (organizational influences, peer/socialization influences, and police role influences). It identifies some common difficulties encountered by these couples, and provides some basic goals and strategies for engaging them in treatment and addressing these issues in couples therapy.
27 citations
TL;DR: The effects that the brain-injured patient may be expected to have on the family system and the kinds of reactions typically seen in the family members are described.
Abstract: Brain injury presents the family therapit with some unique problems and challenges. This paper describes the effects that the brain-injured patient may be expected to have on the family system and the kinds of reactions typically seen in the family members. It then describes strategies of family therapy in brain injury, including education, supportive counseling, and more intensive family therapy modalities. Finally, the paper closes with some thoughts on the goals and outcomes of family therapy with this group and recommendations for improving the family therapy process.
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of mastectomy for breast cancer on individual and marital adjustment were explored, and the results indicated that both husbands and wives had adapted to mastectomy and were functioning well as individuals.
Abstract: This study explored the effects of mastectomy for breast cancer on individual and marital adjustment. Subjects consisted of 20 spouse pairs in which the wife had single mastectomy for Stage I/II breast cancer 2.5 years prior to testing. Each spouse completed paper-and-pencil inventories measuring individual psychological adjustment and marital adjustment. Results indicate that both husbands and wives had adapted to mastectomy and were functioning well as individuals. In contrast, measures of marital adjustment indicated serious problems with extremes of cohesion and adaptability, suggesting psychological fusion and fluidity of reactions. Low levels of consensus suggest a mechanism for maintaining balance and counteracting pathogenic processes in the marital relation.
TL;DR: A technique for providing videotape supervision via long-distance telephone is presented and the advantages and problems of this technique are presented.
Abstract: Raw data supervision is an important component in family therapy training. However, it is often difficult to implement, especially for those therapists and supervisors who live a great distance from one another. This article presents a technique for providing videotape supervision via long-distance telephone. It presents the advantages and problems of this technique. Alternative ways of using this procedure also are discussed.
TL;DR: This article revisited an innovative approach to working with athletic teams from a systems perspective using a focus group interview with a team (postconsultation) and general principles developed in working with several athletic teams using a family systems consultation approach.
Abstract: Coaches and athletes utilize sports psychology as a part of training and preparation for competition. A linear, individualistic epistemology is generally subscribed to by sports psychologists. Marriage and family therapists, with their systems epistemology, can apply their training to working with athletic teams. This article revisits an innovative approach to working with athletic teams from a systems perspective. It presents additional interventions, a focus group interview with a team (postconsultation), and general principles developed in working with several athletic teams using a family systems consultation approach.
TL;DR: This paper explores the development of a “therapeutic story” with the goal of assisting the beginning therapist in approaches that can be utilized to incorporate all available resources that will help to empower a family to change.
Abstract: Beginning therapists are not prepared to deal with the complexity that families bring to the therapeutic setting and have a reductionistic approach to understanding what is occurring in a family. In order to move beyond a simplified approach, therapists with the assistance of a supervisor have the power to leave the security of their own being and can learn to take risks. This paper explores the development of a “therapeutic story” with the goal of assisting the beginning therapist in approaches that can be utilized to incorporate all available resources that will help to empower a family to change.
TL;DR: In this article, four aspects of stories/storytelling, as they relate to life, to the definition of stories, to therapy in general, and to family therapy in particular, are examined.
Abstract: Four aspects of stories/storytelling, as they relate to life, to the definition of stories, to therapy in general, and to family therapy in particular, are examined. The mechanism for this exploration is a presentation of excerpts from a wide variety of sources. Little is offered by way of commentary. Rather, the selection of particular pieces for inclusion and the elimination of others necessarily make a statement. Consistent with the constructivist position that each person creates meaning according to his/her own belief system, all are invited to read this article as a story and to draw their own conclusions.
TL;DR: Support groups for children of divorce may serve an important function in lessening the negative effects of divorce processes on children as mentioned in this paper, however, there are few published protocols as to how to populate and organize these groups.
Abstract: The value of group work for divorcing families has been documented. In particular, research has shown that support groups for children of divorce may serve an important function in lessening the negative effects of divorce processes on children. At the same time, there are few published protocols as to how to populate and organize these groups. This article describes the model for these groups developed at the Marriage Council of Philadelphia. Details about group organization are given, as is illustrative case material and typical concerns group members work with throughout the life of the group. Reported effects of support group involvement are summarized, and concluding attention is paid to the need to look at ways of intervening in the larger context of the postseparation/divorce process.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss how the therapeutic process can be facilitated by conducting at least a small number of individual sessions with children, which communicates to children, parents, and involved referral sources a respect for their opinions and lays the groundwork for cooperation.
Abstract: When a child is the identified patient, people often expect individual sessions to be a part of treatment. Yet, family therapists routinely violate this expectation by working with children solely in the context of the family. This article discusses how the therapeutic process can be facilitated by conducting at least a small number of individual sessions with children. Such behavior by the therapist communicates to children, parents, and involved referral sources a respect for their opinions and lays the groundwork for cooperation. The advantages and disadvantages of such an approach are discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors highlight the history and features of the WITSEC program, characteristics of the individuals in the program, and factors affecting both the individuals and their "relocated" and "abandoned" families.
Abstract: Treating clients who are participating in the Federal Witness Security Program (WITSEC) may be a rarity in a clinician's caseload. Yet when a practitioner does treat them, the clinical considerations are unique and require creative therapeutic techniques. Their premorbid character-ological structure as well as their previous life patterns and the need for maintaining secrecy greatly effect the therapeutic process. In addition, a plethora of family issues created by living with a totally new identity and societal concerns regarding these “relocated” families add unique facets to treating these cases. This paper highlights the history and features of the WITSEC program, characteristics of the individuals in the program, and factors affecting both the individuals and their “relocated” and “abandoned” families. A brief case history is included. Therapeutic clinical concerns are highlighted also.
TL;DR: In this article, a protocol for tailoring treatment based on a comprehensive, multidimensional assessment is described and illustrated with case material for dual-career relationship conflict resolution is presented.
Abstract: Clinicians are increasingly consulted by couples whose conflicts arise from or are exacerbated by a dual-career relationship. Therapy with these couples can be greatly aided when treatment is tailored to the unique needs of their relational system. A protocol for tailoring treatment based on a comprehensive, multidimensional assessment is described and illustrated with case material.
TL;DR: The Personal Authority in the Family System Questionnaire (PAFS-Q) was used to predict the degree of stress and strain experienced by adult sons and daughters giving care to their elderly disabled parents as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Personal authority in the family system (PAFS) is an intergenerational construct linking personal development and family interacton. Applied here to the notion of caregiver burden, PAFS was hypothesized to predict the degree of stress and strain experienced by adult sons and daughters giving care to their elderly disabled parents. Family variables related to the caregiver's marriage were also assumed to play a role. Caregivers completed the Personal Authority in the Family System Questionnaire (PAFS-Q) and a measure of Caregiving Burden. Subscales of the PAFS-Q included intergenerational individuation, intergenerational intimacy, spousal individuation, spousal intimacy and intergenerational intimidation. Pearson's correlations showed that caregiving burden was significantly correlated to all intergenerational intimacy. Multiple regression analysis showed intergenerational individuation and intimidation to account for 21% of the variance in caregiver burden. Implications of these findings for theo...
TL;DR: In this article, psychosomatic symptoms are described and illustrated as the expression of ideas aimed at the conservation of autonomy, both at an individual and a family level, and the implications of such a changed perspective for the treatment of psychoSomatic disorders are highlighted.
Abstract: Most studies of the families of people suffering from psychosomatic disorders can be seen to reflect the perspective of first-order cybernetics. In this the focus is on interaction within families. If a shift is made to the more modern perspective of second-order cybernetics, the emphasis changes to fall on the autonomy of various levels of system. In this paper, psychosomatic symptoms are described and illustrated as the expression of ideas aimed at the conservation of autonomy, both at an individual and a family level. The implications of such a changed perspective for the treatment of psychosomatic disorders are highlighted.
TL;DR: In many countries individual, marital and family therapists, as well as the major organizations in which they hold membership, recognize that the DSMs and ICDs have become the accepted typology manuals of individual mental and emotional disorders as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In many countries individual, marital and family therapists, as well as the major organizations in which they hold membership, recognize that the DSMs and ICDs have become the accepted typology manuals of individual mental and emotional disorders. Because we/they have come to recognize that numerous dysfunctions have their roots in interpersonal problems rather than or in addition to individual, intrapsychic distress, in the past few years there has been a strong movement toward developing a diagnostic system that depicts and classifies relational disorders. Proponents have been pressing for the inclusion of relational disorders in future versions of DSM and ICD. This article highlights the evolution and achievements to date (March 1993) of those involved in this undertaking.
TL;DR: The FAST as mentioned in this paper represents a vast improvement over other figure placement techniques and offers an assessment procedure that measures both cohesion and power, assesses several family levels, allows for interpretation and comparison of individual and collective perceptions, and yields a more complex view of family dynamics by providing information regarding family organization across situations.
Abstract: The FAST represents a vast improvement over other figure placement techniques (FPTs). It offers an assessment procedure that measures both cohesion and power, assesses several family levels, allows for interpretation and comparison of individual and collective perceptions, and yields a more complex view of family dynamics by providing information regarding family organization across situations. Further, the FAST allows clinicians to hypothesize about treatment prognosis, plan systemic interventions, and monitor structural transformations that occur during therapy. As structural and developmental theories seem to be two of the more commonly recognized perspectives across disciplines (as evidenced by the types of relational additions in the soon-to-be-published DSM-IV), the FAST has the potential to become an interdisciplinary diagnostic and empirical link. Recommendations are noted here to maximize the potential of the FAST as a theoretically grounded and psychometrically sound family instrument.
TL;DR: This article examined the discriminant validity of the Family-of-Origin Scale (FOS) with 60 self-defined adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) and 64 undergraduate and graduate university students.
Abstract: The present study examined the discriminant validity of the Family-of-Origin Scale (FOS) with 60 self-defined adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) and 64 undergraduate and graduate university students. The ACOAs obtained significantly lower scores on the 10 FOS subscales, two larger dimensions of Autonomy and Intimacy, and global score. A discriminant function correctly classified nearly 88% of the sample. The findings are generally compatible with theoretical and clinical writing about ACOAs and provide further psychometric support for the FOS as a clinical and research instrument.
TL;DR: This paper conducted a qualitative analysis of the interviews and found that participants may not understand the items as intended by the researchers, and that an alternate version of the items enhanced the curvilinear properties of the adaptability dimension.
Abstract: Subjects were interviewed in an in-depth fashion as to their understanding of the adaptability items of the regular FACES III and two alternate versions. A qualitative analysis of the interviews indicate that participants may not be understanding the items as intended by the researchers. An alternate version of the items enhanced the curvilinear properties of the adaptability dimension.
TL;DR: In this paper, the legal proscriptions and practical definitions of sexual harassment, and the psychological effects of harassment on the victim-client and the impact on the family system are discussed.
Abstract: This article examines the legal proscriptions and practical definitions of sexual harassment, describes the psychological effects of sexual harassment (e.g., the Sexual Harassment Trauma Syndrome) for the victim-client and the impact on the family system, and offers guidance for family therapy, with reference to the special vulnerability of the victim-client, the reconstruction of the self concept as the primary goal of treatment, clinical versus legal advocacy, and family therapy as the treatment of choice.
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-596) and its implications for family therapy is presented, considering the family therapist's proper form of advocacy of rights and therapeutic usage of the Act for empowering the individual with a disability and his or her family.
Abstract: This article provides a review of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–596) and discusses its implications for family therapy. Consideration is given to the family therapist's proper form of advocacy of rights and therapeutic usage of the Act for empowering the individual with a disability and his or her family.
TL;DR: A multisystemic educational prevention approach to AIDS for adolescents incorporating the school-family-community system is proposed and the sociocultural factors relevant to these populations are emphasized.
Abstract: The AIDS epidemic poses a significant challenge for mental health professionals, educators, and society at large. Recent studies have shown that AIDS has entered the adolescent population. The incidence is highest in African American and Hispanic populations. Other studies have shown that while adolescents are educated about AIDS, they inconsistently use “safer sex” practices. Traditional explanations and the models that flow from these explanations have focused on the developmental psychodynamics of adolescence. The present paper proposes a multisystemic educational prevention approach to AIDS for adolescents. The model utilizes intrapersonal, interpersonal, and social processes incorporating the school-family-community system. The examples used in this paper, although relevant to the adolescent population in general, focus on AIDS in African American and Hispanic adolescents. In so doing, the sociocultural factors relevant to these populations are emphasized. The role of the family therapist as...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present and analyze the ecological dynamics of a research study of families and health conducted in collaboration with a health maintenance organization (HMO) and a Fortune 500 corporation.
Abstract: The authors maintain that traditional training in research methods overlooks the power of interactional dynamics in the research process and, therefore, inadequately prepares students for understanding the obstacles to conducting research in community settings. Using family systems theory, the authors present and analyze the ecological dynamics of a research study of families and health conducted in collaboration with a health maintenance organization (HMO) and a Fortune 500 corporation. The authors call for family research literature and training programs to employ family systems theory to understand the research system created when the researcher engages research participants and community organizations.