Abstract
This paper reviews the scholarly literature as it pertains to family dysfunction and to the susceptibility of adolescents to drug abuse. Additionally, the paper provides a brief proposal of a qualitative research design the author has employed as a means of investigating how family dynamics shape the drug use tendencies of young people. The paper also looks at how parental drug abuse creates a greater predilection for drug abuse in young people.

Outline:
Literature Review of Studies Conducted On the Relationship between Family Dysfunction and Drug Abuse Among Young People
Proposed Study
Contributions, Benefits of the Study

From the Paper
"Soroor Parvizy et al (2005) employed an interview of 41 individuals using a content analysis. The data collection process was a series of semi-structured interviews but, while detail is provided with regards to the themes identified, no information was given with regards to whether or not the interviewees were randomly selected or not; on the surface, it would appear to be non-experimental. In any case, the major findings of the study are certainly interesting. According to Parvizy et al (2005), various factors - peer factors, low self-esteem or a feeling of general helplessness - all played a role in the decision to embark on the path to addiction. However, one significant factor also was that those who resorted to this behavior also had parents who were disinterested in the lives of their children and made no effort to correct behavior when they saw their children ingesting drugs. "

Tags:parents, responsibilty, adolescents

Abstract
This paper examines how family therapy is often helpful for dealing with problems that surface in response to a particular event or situation, such as divorce or remarriage. It looks at how there are numerous approaches to family therapy and, in particular, the approach of Salvador Minuchin. It explores how, as a result of working with underprivileged and dysfunctional families in New York and Philadelphia, he founded a theory that is now known as 'Structural Family Therapy'.

From the Paper
"According to the Gale Encyclopedia of Psychology (2001): ?The goals of structural family therapy include strengthening parental leadership, clarifying boundaries, enhancing coping skills, and freeing family members from their entrenched positions within the family structure. Minuchin divided families' styles of interacting into two basic types-enmeshed and disengaged, considering behavior at either extreme as pathological, with most families falling somewhere on a continuum between the two. Minuchin believed that the functioning of family systems prevented individuals from becoming healthier emotionally, because the family system relied on its troubled member to play a particular role in order to function in its accustomed way."

Tags:dysfunctional, divorce, remarriage

Abstract
This paper evaluates the McMaster model in terms of its ability to accurately describe family functioning and its ability to distinguish functional and dysfunctional families. It also presents the McMaster model as the most comprehensive model of family health.

From the Paper
"The McMaster model has so far provided us with a comprehensive way of assessing family functioning, but it does have it's own limitations. It has been argued that the McMaster model doesn't adequately reflect family developmental stages. Epstein, Bishop, Ryan, Miller, and Keitner (1993) found that families at different development stages also differ in terms of their difficulties. Families that had adolescents were found to have more problem solving difficulties, and were also found to have more areas of difficulty in the McMaster dimensions. In light of this the McMaster model may be seen as ineffective in assessing changing patterns of difficulties within families. Although, the emphasis the McMaster model puts on observable behaviour also means that family assessments are more likely to be reliable and accurate portrait of family functioning, as the clinician does not have to make inferences about family behaviour."

Tags:dysfunctional, adolescents, development

Abstract
This paper examines the structural family therapy model of family therapy. The paper provides a detailed literature review of the structural approach to family therapy. The paper also discusses the history of this model, the structural outlook, structural family theory, structural family therapy, and some populations where structural family therapy has been successful. The writer concludes with an explanation of her personal perspective and idea of family therapy.

Outline:
Abstract
Literature Review
Personal Perspective
Conclusion

From the Paper
"There are many models of family therapy out there in use in this day and age. Many counselors choose to be eclectic in their choices of therapeutic techniques, which is encouraged in most professional counseling training programs. There are the Psychodynamic outlook, Transgenerational models, Experiential models, Strategic models, the Milan Systemic model, the Behavioral and Cognitive-Behavioral models, Social Construction models, and Psychoeducational models. All of these models of family therapy are very useful in many ways. This paper will discuss another model of family therapy, that of the Structural model."

Tags:social, system, theory, dysfunctional, subsystems, boundaries

Abstract
This paper relates that Suzanne Midori Hanna's well-written "The Practice of Family Therapy: Key Elements across Models" is a practical guide to integrate common elements of practice from first, second and third generation approaches to family therapy. Next, the author details each chapter that ranges from an introduction to the concept and definition of family therapy, to therapy models and common themes and most of all how to work with clients. The paper reports that Chapter 4 'Integration of Practice: Common Themes' is the most useful section of the book; whereas, Chapter 2, 'Family Therapy Models in the Twenty-First Century' is the least useful.

From the Paper
"Hanna identifies three second generational models. The first model is the Milan team model. The Milan team model places an emphasis on changing meaning and beliefs, not behaviors alone. The second model described is the solution focused family therapy model. This model of therapy is based on the work of Milton Erickson and his ideas that people learn limitations that can be bypassed; these models recognize the therapist's role in assisting a family to identify its resources, to build on what is working and to manage its problems. The last second generation family therapy model described is narrative family therapy model. In the narrative family therapy model the therapist must integrate the search for competencies with an analysis of interactional cycles and assignments that instill hope in the client.
"In chapter 2, the author also gives an overview of third generation family therapy. According to the author these are also known as evidence based models. The first third generation model identified is the cognitive-behavioral family therapy model. In this model of therapy the therapist focuses on how the client's internal conflict affects their behavior, and how unrealistic expectations of another often produce undesirable behavior. The second model identified is the multisystemic therapy model."

Tags:intergenerational genogram cognitive-behavioral, dysfunctional patterns, experience

Abstract
The paper relates that in the movie "Little Miss Sunshine", when the Hoover family - travelling in their broken van with the corpse of Edwin Hoover in the back - is pulled over by a highway patrolman, the father, Richard Hoover, shouts to his remaining family members: "Everybody just pretend to be normal, okay?" The paper asserts that in a sense, this request goes to the heart of the complex web of interrelating life cycles, dysfunction, and love and sacrifice that characterizes the Hoover family. In this context, this paper explores a range of questions regarding the representation of family life in the film.

From the Paper
"In the movie "Little Miss Sunshine", when the Hoover family - travelling in their broken van with the corpse of Edwin Hoover in the back - is pulled over by a highway patrolman, the father, Richard Hoover, shouts to his remaining family members: "Everybody just pretend to be normal, okay?" In a sense, this request goes to the heart of the complex web of interrelating life cycles, dysfunction, and love and sacrifice that characterizes the Hoover family. In this context, this essay will explore a range of questions regarding the representation of family life in the..."

Tags:family, social work, film

Abstract
This paper defines the nuclear family and discusses its role within society. The author also discusses how the breakdown of the nuclear family is blamed for social dysfunction. The stability and structure of society is examined in the light of the declining prevalence of the nuclear family.

From the paper:

"The nuclear family consisting of two adults, 1 male, 1 female, and children is the most common form of family in Australia according to 1996 census figures published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Talcott Parson?s cited in Jureidini & Poole, recognizes the nuclear family as the ?normal? family structure. While statistics show the nuclear family still being the most common family form in Australia they also show a decline in it?s predominance of approximately 10% over the last 20 years. It is for this reason that the functions and benefits of the nuclear family must be recognized before dysfunction alters the stability and structure of society."

Tags:adult, dysfunction, society, children, personality, relationships, parsons, bales, australia

Abstract
This paper examines how a dysfunctional or disrupted family represents a risk factor or cause for homelessness. It looks at how dysfunctional families are more often conflicting environments and how causes of conflict in such families range from relationships with stepparents, school problems, sexual orientation, pregnancy, alcohol and drug use, neglect and sexual abuse. It also discusses how other causes of homelessness in familial context include residential instability, broken ties with the family of origin, disrupted family histories, and substance abuse.

From the Paper
"Martijn & Sharpe (2006) investigated causal pathways to homelessness and identified five different pathways. Each pathway is defined by the combination of precipitant factors for homelessness. Pathway one suggested that drug and alcohol, trauma with or without additional psychological problems are found prior to homelessness, pathway two emphasizes trauma and psychological problems (the absence of drug and alcohol) as precipitator factors for homelessness, pathway three reveals drug and alcohol and family problems, pathway four emphasizes family problems as a cause of homelessness, and pathway five focuses on trauma. The pathway four, focused on family problems revealed that the most important factors were neglect, physical and emotional abuse throughout childhood, and witnessing domestic violence at home."

Tags:stepparents, drugs, violence, domestic

Abstract
This paper is an exploration of the dynamics surrounding dysfunctional and functional homes and families. It discusses various events and experiences that may cause or be an effect of both dysfunctional and functional homes and families. This paper also offers an elaborate list of typical characteristics present in a dysfunctional family, along with characteristics and behavior associated with members of a dysfunctional home. Additionally, this paper describes the characteristics of functional families and includes many details surrounding the qualities of the members of a functional home.

From the Paper
"Despite the fact that there can be a number of different precipitating reasons for family dysfunction, the typical characteristics that make up the family include: lack of trust and feelings of security and safety; absence of the feeling of love and belonging; misunderstanding and poor communication between and among family members; no nurturing and support by parents for children; neglected needs and desires; incidence of verbal, physical, or sexual abuse; and disputes over petty issues such as money, love, or work. Due to the trauma individuals experience as they grew up, they become different from other children. They are lacking essential parts of required parenting that readies a person for adulthood and forced into unnatural familial roles. In order to eliminate the emotional pain that occurs from this, some adolescents or young adults use alcohol or drugs. Others cannot help but repeat the same behavior, the same abuses, that were done to them on their own children or spouse. Or, individuals from dysfunctional families carry this extreme rage within themselves and do not understand the reason why. These individuals were born untraumatized and innocent, but their lives were altered significantly by forces in their household over which they had no control. They are now an adult who is surviving that individual trauma."

Tags:reasons, typical, characteristics, trust, feelings

Abstract
This paper looks at the effects on children who are brought up in a dysfunctional family. It defines what constitutes both dysfunctional and healthy families and reviews research that indicates a link between dysfunction and problems in later life.

From the Paper
"The significant depth and breadth of research and literature, the movies and television specials, the discussion on talk shows on the topic of the negative effects of dysfunctional families upon children shows that they are myriad and all certainly damaging to not only the children, but their parents, extended families, friends and communities. A dysfunctional family has the power to absolutely destroy a child's life both physically and emotionally and, as such, it can extend its problems like a cancerous growth outside the boundaries of the home. The children of dysfunctional families are of a significantly greater risk for academic, social, emotional, and mental problems, they are more likely to become abusive towards others, more likely to become self-destructive, more likely to be sexually active earlier, more likely to experiment with drugs and alcohol earlier, more likely to "grow up too fast", and are at greater risk of promulgating the very same problems that their parents and family experiences with their own. The children of dysfunctional families often take on adult responsibilities earlier than their peers and are often left alone by their parents either physically or emotionally."

Tags:destroy, emotionally, risk