Abstract This paper reviews the scholarly literature as it pertains to familydysfunction 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 FamilyDysfunction 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. "
Abstract This paper explains that the experience of long-term poverty effects many child outcomes because the family stress created by this poverty can result in familydysfunction, depression among caregivers and derisory parenting. The author points out that the family-centered approach is a process for providing services to families, which fits many different "content areas" such as support for teen parents, family literacy or education for low-income children; however, it is not a set of exacting practices but rather a "philosophy" in which families are recognized as having unique anxiety, strengths and values. The paper relates adapting and coping strategies, which are designed to make the persons first realize their situation, evaluate them thoroughly and adopt an approach that would be most suited to them.
Table of Contents
Cause
Contributing Factors
Consequences
Challenges
Family-Centered Approach
Ecological Model
Role of Community
Changes
From the Paper "Child outcomes of high levels of family stress and ineffective forms of parenting include poor emotional adjustment, which may be externalized as various forms of hostility, or internalized as depression or low self-esteem. Healthy child adjustment, on the other hand, should appear as achievement and on-task behavior in school, persistence in difficult tasks, and enjoyment of daily life. The Family Stress Model is maintained by good evidence from respected psychologists and sociologists. Research findings from as long ago as the depression years of the 1930s; propose that children were protected from the possible adverse consequences of poverty so long as the relationship between adult caregivers was supportive and. Civic participation is also effected, including educational attainment, full-time employment, and positive psychosocial adjustment like self efficacy, lack of depressive symptoms."
This paper offers a comparison of the dysfunction of the two families portrayed in David Adams Richards' "Nights Below Station Street" and Ann-Marie MacDonald's "Fall On Your Knees."
Abstract A comparison of the dysfunction in the two families portrayed in David Adams Richards "Nights Below Station Street" and Ann-Marie MacDonald's "Fall On Your Knees." The paper argues that the former family achieves redemption through their love but the latter suffers attrition and cannot overcome their high level of dysfunctional interaction.
From the Paper "Family dysfunction typically characterizes family relations to one degree or another in most families. However, in David Adams Richards' "Nights Below Station Street" and Ann-Marie MacDonald's "Fall On Your Knees," if it were not for family dysfunction the families depicted would not function at all. Richards provides a tale of the Walsh's, a working-class family from the wrong side of the tracks in a small mill town in New Brunswick."
Tags: co-parenting conflict, incest, religiosity, alcoholism, pregnancy, suicide, race relations, Cape Breton, New Brunswick, teenage rebellion, family relations, physical, sexual and verbal abuse
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 In this essay, Beth Henley's play "Crimes of the Heart" is analysed. This paper argues that suicide is the key symbol of the familydysfunction in "Crimes of the Heart", as it links the generations and allows audiences to focus on the pain and the shared strength and family ties of the three Magrath sisters. In this paper, quotes from the play are compared with psychological literature on the impact of suicide and familydysfunction.
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 dysfunctionalfamilies 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."
Abstract This paper evaluates the McMaster model in terms of its ability to accurately describe family functioning and its ability to distinguish functional and dysfunctionalfamilies. 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."
Abstract This paper presents a case study of a dysfunctional married couple and analyzes it through the lens of social psychology. The paper examines the couple's marital conflicts. The paper also looks at how the couple's different needs and interests exacerbate their dysfunction.
From the Paper "In observing older members of my family I have become aware of the martial conflicts of an aunt and uncle -- a couple who have been married to one another for over thirty years and whose marriage is characterized by other..."
Abstract This paper discusses the 1980 film "Ordinary People", Robert Redford's directorial debut. It looks at the major theme of familydysfunction, the deterioration of a family after the accidental death of the eldest son, and how father and son come to grips with it, but not the mother.
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."
Abstract This paper reviews the unique structure of the Caribbean family, as the matrifocal character with "male marginality" often left an impression of "dysfunctional" family. This essay looks at some of the characteristics of this structure and how the matrifocal and male marginality emerged from issues of power, sexuality, gender roles and economic circumstances. This essay examines these factors and explain how each of them affected the current structure of Caribbean family. The Caribbean family has been the focus of extensive research since 1940s. Our understanding of the Caribbean family has improved significantly since these early beginnings.
Abstract This paper discusses a particular family and the problems within the family structure that are observable in the relationship between the sisters Terry and Maxine. The paper notes that, while the family has been guided for most of its existence by the mother of these siblings, the mother has died and the conflicts that have evolved throughout the family history between these two sisters have begun to affect the entire family. This is evident in the arguments over selling the house, the decision of the family to no longer have Sunday dinners and the severing of ties between family members after the mother's death.
Abstract This paper discusses the concept of family in light of various feminist views. The concept of the nuclear family as a white-supremacist view as well as concepts regarding Marx's and Engel's beliefs on feminism and family prior to Stalinism are also reviewed. Additional comments surround the three types of rights theorists view for Canada and the family - right-based for the individual family unit, state-based or community-based, depending on which view of family and family responsibility you have.
Abstract This paper discusses how "The Family Crucible" is an insightful account of family relationships and of how our perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs affect our role as family members, spouses, children, and human beings. The paper relates that the book is also a fascinating look at how normal families undergo change, stress, and differences of opinion. The paper discusses the book's theme of structure and poignant moments, as well the what the writer believes are the book's weaknesses. The paper concludes that the techniques described in the book were insightful, pragmatic, and involved the entire family structure in the process and that it was extremely useful in developing the writer's own style of counseling the family.
From the Paper "This initial conflict between Carolyn and Claudia was the focus of the first few chapters of the book. In light of the family's choice to appoint Claudia as the identified patient, the first order of business was to shift the Brices' focus from Claudia to their family system. A less skilled or experienced therapist may have very well depended on Claudia's previous diagnosis of schizophrenia. Doctors Napier and Whitaker quickly saw through this incorrect diagnosis, and began delving into the actual underlying causes of the family turmoil. In doing so, they investigated both David and Carolyn's families of origin. One's family of origin is their first group experience. This imperfect group environment is the petri dish that grows our skills in relating to things outside the family, and becoming an individual in our own right. Often, these imperfections follow us into relationships far beyond our family of origin. This was in large part the case with the Brice family. "
This paper examines the ability of African-American families to exhibit resiliency can be understood through a consideration of their historical circumstances
Abstract This paper examines African-American history and the values that this community has, despite their history of slavery, discrimination and poverty. It examines the community's strong commitment to education, a strong work orientation, and sense of responsibility. This paper also includes a study of African-American resiliency that was developed by the author in order to find out what adversities African-Americans faced in the pursuit of their education. The results of this study were then analyzed, and compared to the findings of prior research done on the subject. The survey included questions about age; experiences of racism, or discrimination; family structure during childhood and who helped raise them; and motivating factor for staying in school.
From the paper:
"As slaves, black children were informally adopted and raised by other people in their immediate community rather than nuclear family arrangements. These extended family arrangements are still a prominent feature of contemporary African-American families and may be considered a major survival tool. The most important service provided by black kinship networks is support to single mothers, especially teen mothers. Hill's research has revealed that kin provide a wide range of support to young single mothers, often enabling them to complete their education or to obtain a job. Finally, the religious beliefs and behavior are strengths that exist among African-American families. In his research, Hill found that 82 percent of black adults said that religion was very important in their lives."
