Assignment InstructionsWrite briefly in response to the foll

Assignment Instructions
Write briefly in response to the following,
using your text and one other reference (preferably from the
APUS online library)
and citing both in APA format. Your paper should be 1200 -
1500 words long, with no more than 50 words as direct quotes
from a source. Remember, the cover page and the reference
page do not count as part of the word requirements.
Assignment 1:
Write a script for a conversation among 3 family members that
illustrated a dysfunctional cross-generational coalition. The
script should be 1/3 to 1/2 of your paper. Use the remainder of
your paper to analyze the script, using relevant concepts and
constructs from the text and whatever other article that you
find.
Possible grade
Student grade
The paper addresses the issues specified by the assignment
20
The author shows insight and sophistication in thinking and
writing
30
Two academic citations were used

20
Paper was well organized and easy to follow. Paper was the
required length. Cover page, paper body, citations and
Reference list were in the American Psychological Association
format.
20
Few to no spelling, grammar, punctuation or other writing
structure errors
10
TOTAL
100
READING
The Family as a System
What Is a Family?
Traits if Family Systems
Structural Properties of Families
Essential Family Tasks
First-order Tasks

Politics of the Family
Family Strategies
Identity Strategies
Coping
Introduction
In this course, you’ll learn about the different ways families
interact, both with children and without children. Some are the
traditional family made up of two married parents and their
children, but there are several different and varied family types.
These include single-parent families, stepfamilies, and same-sex
couples and families.
Regardless of the type of family, all families must complete
some family tasks and develop the skills and foundations
necessary to complete those tasks. These common tasks are
essential to the function of every family. However, the ways
they are completed are unique to each family.
In this lesson, you will learn to understand how the family
functions as a system, as you develop an understanding of
family systems theory. You’ll learn about family tasks, and the
strategies different families employ to complete those tasks.
Topics covered include:
Defining the Family
Family Systems

Family Tasks
Family Strategies
The Family as a System
Family systems theory, developed by Dr. Murray Bowen, states
that the individual cannot be understood outside of the context
of the family. The family is a single, functional emotional unit,
and all parts impact and change one another. All types of
families, both traditional and non-traditional, function as
systems.
COMPONENTS OF A FAMILY SYSTEM
UNIQUENESS
INTERACTIONS
FUNCTION
CHANGES
What is a Family?
Families today, sometimes called the postmodern family,
including traditional families, families with two working
parents, single-parent families, divorced and remarried families,
families formed through adoption, and families based on
domestic partnerships. There are even families based on long-
term, platonic relationships.
Today, only 24 percent of families are made up of a married
couple with their shared biological children. Some 26 percent of
families with children are headed by a single parent.

“In an expanded look at the structure of the American family
the U.S. Census Bureau reports that in 2007, of the nearly 74
million children under the age of eighteen living in the United
States, 67.8 percent lived with married parents, 2.9 percent with
two unmarried parents, 25.8 percent with one parent, and 3.5
percent with no parent present”
(Anderson, Stephen, & Sabatelli, p.4).
As of 2006, more than 60 percent of women worked outside the
home, and divorce rates have increased significantly. Around 40
percent of people will go through a divorce in their lifetimes.
Divorce is correlated with many concerning factors, particularly
for children. These include economic instability and poorer
educational outcomes.
Several key struggles plague families today. These include child
abuse and neglect, as well as intimate partner violence. These
problems are more prevalent than many people expect or
believe and are often not reported. Lack of reporting of intimate
partner violence and child abuse has an ongoing and detrimental
impact on families today.
Knowledge Check
1
Question 1
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of family
systems theory?
Families are part of a microsystem, mesosystem, and
microsystem.

A family is a complex structure made up of individuals
with a shared history, bonding, and goals.
Families have boundaries, both internal and external.
Families use strategies to accomplish tasks and meet needs.
I don't know
One attempt
Submit answer
You answered 0 out of 0 correctly. Asking up to 1.
Traits of Family Systems
To understand the family in the context of family systems, “the
family can be defined as a complex structure comprised of an
interdependent group of individuals who (1) have a shared sense
of history; (2) experience some degree of emotional bonding;
and (3) devise strategies for meeting the needs of individual
family members and the group as a whole” (Anderson &
Sabatelli, 2010, p. 6). The family system is defined by two
parts.
COMPOSITION AND ORGANIZATION
TASKS
In a family system, the most important factor is how the
different parts of the system relate to one another. For a
traditional family, this might mean the marital relationship
between mom and dad, relationships between parents and
children, and relationships between siblings. These all matter
more than who the individuals in the family are, or how you
might define the individuals in the family.

For instance, consider a two-parent family. Mom and Dad are
married to one another and both are employed. They have three
children, ages two, four and six. Imagine their daily life for a
moment. Now, consider how your perceptions change if you’re
told that Mom is a neurosurgeon. Dad works part-time from
home. Does their daily life look different than you assumed
when you first thought about it?
You probably imagined that either the couple shared parenting
and home tasks equally, or that Mom carried more of those tasks
than Dad. When told that Mom works an intense job, and Dad
has changed his work schedule to accommodate the children’s
needs, your image of this family changes. When you only knew
the composition of the family, you had a poor understanding of
how it functioned. When you learned about the rules that
governed the family and recognized that the distribution of
responsibilities was not what you expected, your understanding
of the family changed.
Structural Properties of Families
Families are characterized by several distinct structural
properties. The structure of a family includes both its
composition, or members, and its organization, or rules. In the
example above, you realized how the organization of a family
could change or alter what you expect of the family.
While the structure is made up of composition and organization,
family structures are characterized by a number of distinct
properties.
WHOLENESS
ORGANIZATIONAL COMPLEXITY
INTERDEPENDENCE

STRATEGIES AND RULES
Essential Family Tasks
Every family system must accomplish a range of different tasks.
The rules in the family facilitate these tasks or enable them to
be executed. Tasks vary widely. Keeping the home clean is a
task, but so is socializing the children. Some tasks are shared by
all families, known as
first-order tasks
. They exist regardless of race, ethnicity or socioeconomic
status. Other tasks are more specific to individual families and
family cultures and are known as
second-order tasks
. To execute tasks, families must be prepared to adapt their
strategies over time. Families with higher levels of adaptability
will more effectively be able to manage stress and change.
In this section, you will learn about each of the tasks. The
strategies to complete or execute these tasks will be discussed
in significant detail later in this lesson.
First-order Tasks
There are several different types of first-order tasks. As
mentioned above, first-order tasks are tasks that must be
executed by all families. These include identity tasks, boundary
tasks, maintenance tasks, and tasks associated with managing
the emotional needs of the family.
IDENTITY TASKS
BOUNDARY TASKS

MAINTENANCE TASKS
MANAGING FAMILY EMOTIONS
Identity tasks develop an identity for the family and the
individual. There are three different and interrelated identity
tasks essential for every family system. These are:
Constructing family themes. These themes become organizing
principles for family life.
Socializing family members in biological and social issues. This
includes gender roles.
Establishing a congruence of images of the family members.
These impact the self-image of the individual.
While not a positive part of the identity tasks associated with
family systems, some families may also establish family myths.
Family myths are identity tasks that don’t match the image
presented or interactions with the outside world.
Second Order Tasks
Second-order tasks are responses to stress or changes in the
family system. The family system has to adjust and shift to
adapt to both internal changes and external changes. Changes
that trigger second-order tasks, like adaptability can be positive,
negative or neutral. Examples of triggers for change, or for
second-order tasks could include developmental changes in
children, the birth of a child, death or divorce.
ADAPTABILITY AND MANAGING FAMILY STRESS

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1/3
›
AdaptabilityAdapting to change in the family is the fundamental
purpose of second-order tasks. Openness and responses to stress
are essential to adaptability. Openness means that the family
system adjusts based on external input and changes. Stressors
can vary widely and may be internal or external. Changes in the
family stress the strategies in place to execute tasks, and the
strategies have to change to accommodate the changes in the
family system.
Politics of the Family
When you think of the family, you likely think in private terms.
You may think that the family largely impacts individuals,
rather than society. While a common assumption, in fact, the
stability of the family, and even the definition of the family, is
also of significant importance to society at large. The
government is involved in families in a variety of different
ways, so there are clear political interests in the family.
‹
1/5
›
You’ve already learned about the definition of a family for
family systems theory. This is, “a family exists whenever a
group of individuals regularly interact with one another over
time, experience some degree of emotional bonding, share a
common history and legacy and together devise strategies for
the accomplishment of family goals and tasks” (Anderson,

Stephen, & Sabatelli, p.16). Most of the time, families are
formed through blood or marriage, but they don’t have to be—
they can be formed through domestic partnerships or even very
close friendships.
Family Strategies
All families must develop strategies to execute tasks, and all
families must execute similar tasks. There are three distinct and
interdependent aspects of the family system. These include the
composition of the family, the tasks associated with the
function of the family, and the strategies essential to
accomplish those tasks.
THE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
HISTORICAL FAMILY OF ORIGIN SOCIAL IDEAS AND
CONSTRAINTS
Identity Strategies
IDENTITY STRATEGIES
FAMILY THEMES
IMPACT
Identity strategies
are family themes that let the family define itself, both
internally and externally. Family themes are purposefully
chosen. Sometimes, traits people identify as cultural are part of
these family themes. For instance, if asked what you think of an

Italian family, you might picture boisterous family meals, close
relationships, and shared religion. Family themes can be
positive or negative, shared by the family of origin of one
or both parents in the family.
Family strategies are often based on these family themes. In this
case, the themes may support positive behaviors or may repeat
negative behaviors. Identity strategies can impact how members
of the family see themselves and how those outside the family
perceive the family.
Knowledge Check
1
Question 1
Choose the answer that describes an identity strategy.
A couple chooses to dress their infant and toddler in gender -
neutral clothing.
A married couple has two children and adjusts to childcare.
In a single parent family, the children have more chores than in
a two-parent family.
A couple shares chores evenly in the household.
I don't know
One attempt
Submit answer
Boundary Strategies

There are two different types of boundary strategies: external
boundaries and internal boundaries.
External boundaries
define the family in relation to others outside of the family.
Internal boundaries
exist within the family, between different individuals or
subsystems.
EXTERNAL BOUNDARIES
INTERNAL BOUNDARIES
External boundaries divide and define what is inside the family
from what is outside of the family. These boundaries can be
quite varied. External boundaries may exist between the
family and people who are not family, but also between the
immediate and extended family.
In some cases, external boundaries take a physical form or are
represented by a physical form. Imagine inviting a new
acquaintance into your home. You probably sit in the living
room or dining room, and you don’t invite them into your
bedroom or other private spaces. This is an external boundary.
Your best friend, who you think of as family, on the other hand,
would follow you into your bedroom without a second thought.
These boundaries can also be set out in how physical spaces are
defined. Think about two different neighborhoods. In the first,
neighbors often sit out on each other’s porches, visit with one
another, and have open yards. Children run from one house to
the other in different yards. In the second, each house has a
large privacy fence. Some homes even have fenced front yards.
All the houses have alarm systems, and people rarely visit with
one another. In the second neighborhood, external boundaries

are much more significant than in the first neighborhood.
External boundaries can be quite open or tightly closed, as you
can see in the neighborhood example. Different families have
different external boundaries. The middle of the range of
boundaries is the healthiest. Permeability defines how open or
how closed the family’s external boundaries are.
Knowledge Check
1
Question 1
The Smith family rarely speaks, even though they all live in the
same house. They don’t share information about one another’s
life. They have:
Enmeshed boundariesPoor boundaries
Disengaged boundaries
Engaged boundariesI don't know
One attempt
Submit answer
Maintenance Strategies
Maintenance strategies
are all those things that are done to provide the family with
necessities, like food, shelter, healthcare and education.
Maintenance resources are the time, energy and money used to
complete maintenance tasks. There is a range of different
options in terms of maintenance strategies. These options may
reflect priorities and decision-making.

In addition to financial resources, maintenance strategies
include how the home and family are managed and organized.
Who cooks dinner, does the laundry, and pays the bills?
The level of organization or disorganization in terms of these
maintenance strategies may vary. If the system for completing
maintenance tasks is extremely disorganized, bills may not get
paid. The family may not have groceries for dinner and meals
may not be served on time. The family system is more likely to
be chaotic. In a family with very rigid maintenance strategies,
groceries are bought, bills are paid, and meals are cooked on
time, but the rigidity may pose challenges in the home or
family—for instance, children may not be allowed creative play
because it’s messy.
Family systems are considered adequate if they successfully
complete maintenance tasks. However, you do need to
remember that maintenance strategies and the rules used to
implement them often reflect the rules, values, and priorities of
the family. For instance, in a family that stresses individuality
and creativity, a much higher tolerance for mess may be
acceptable.
Emotional Management Strategies
Healthy family systems provide the members of the family with
support, nurturing and love. These promote security within the
family for both children and adults. For most families, this is a
goal, but not all families succeed.
EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT BALANCE CONFLICT
MANAGEMENT
Stress Management Strategies

According to Anderson and Sabatelli, (2010, p. 33), “
Stress
, from a family systems perspective, is the degree of pressure
exerted on the family to alter the strategies it employs to
accomplish its basic tasks.” There are two different types of
stressors in families: normative and non-normative stressors.
Normative stressors
are expected developmental transitions in the family, like
having a new baby or a child moving out as a young adult.
Non-normative stressors
are unexpected events, like the sudden death of a child, or a
devastating and destructive event to the family home.
Stressors can also be divided into horizontal stressors and
vertical stressors.
Horizontal stressors
are stressors that occur over time.
Vertical stressors
are specific to how families relate and function with one
another from generation to generation. Multiple horizontal
stressors at the same time can lead to significant dysfunction,
but even minimal horizontal stressors can be a serious problem
for a family with extensive vertical stressors.
Knowledge Check
1
Question 1
A family has battled a multigenerational pattern of addiction
and poverty. This is:
A non-normative stressorA vertical stressorA horizontal
stressorA normative stressorI don't know

One attempt
Submit answer
Coping Strategies
Adaptations are the ways in which families cope with various
stressors.
Coping
is the use of strategies to reduce stress and maintain family
functioning. Coping strategies include cognitive coping
strategies and behavioral coping strategies. Coping resources
are the skills and attribute the family has available to reduce
and manage stress. Some families may have more coping
resources than others, and may, therefore, better manage
stressors. Coping efficacy is the success with which families
can employ coping resources. Families that cope well with
stress are considered resilient. Resilient families share a number
of traits.
COPING STRATEGIES AND RESILIENT FAMILIES
COGNITIVE COPING STRATEGIES
BEHAVIORAL COPING STRATEGIES
TRAITS OF RESILIENT FAMILIES
Cognitive coping strategies are the way individuals frame
stress. For instance, a child moving out of the family home can
be thought of as positive and exciting or negative and

frightening. While not all stressors can, in any way, be framed
in a positive light, some can. Even negative stressors can be
talked about, and strategies developed to support the
functioning of the family.
Knowledge Check
1
Question 1
A family loses their home to a tornado. When faced with the
loss, the family tells a reporter that they are so thankful that
their dog survived, even though he was in the home. This is an
example of:
Behavioral copingCognitive copingFamily themesMaintenance
strategiesI don't know
One attempt
Submit answer
Conclusion
Family systems theory provides a framework for understanding
how families function, both in terms of shared traits of all
families and unique qualities of each family. Family systems
theory requires that the individual is understood in terms of the
family. They are part of the overall system. The structure of the
family includes its structure and its organization. Every family
develops strategies and rules to complete tasks. While these
tasks may be the same or similar from family to family, the
strategies may differ widely.
Key Terms

C
E
F
H
I
Composition: Who is a part of the family.
Coping: The use of strategies to manage stress.
M
N
O
R
S
T
V
W
Maintenance Strategies: Strategies to accomplish essential tasks

for daily living.
Morphogenesis: Processes that encourage or embrace change.
Morphostasis: Processes that resist change.
References
Anderson, Stephen A., Sabatelli, R. (2010
) Family Interaction: A Multigenerational Developmental
Perspective
. London: Pearson Learning
Solution
s.
Dominguez, M. (n.d.) Performance competence framework:
theory and practice. Retrieved from
https://www.d.umn.edu/~kbrorson/TSWadapted/resources/PDFS
/PCFramework1.pdf
Hardmann, A. (2016) Parental stress. Retrieved from
http://www.extension.umn.edu/family/live-healthy-live-
well/healthy-minds/dealing-with-stress/parental-stress/
Kerr, M. E. (2000) One family’s story: a primer on Bowen

theory. Retrieved from
https://www.thebowencenter.org/theory/
Life Enhancement Counseling Services. (2013) Healthy
boundaries. Retrieved from
http://lifeenhancementcs.com/relationships/healthy-boundaries/
Missouri Department of Social Services. (n.d.) Family systems
theory. Retrieved from
https://dss.mo.gov/cd/info/cwmanual/section7/ch1_33/sec7ch1.h
tm
Morgaine, C. (2001) Family systems theory. Retrieved from
http://web.pdx.edu/~cbcm/CFS410U/FamilySystemsTheory.pdf
Models of Family Functioning
Defining of Structural Models of Family Functioning
The Organization of the Family

Coalitions and Unclear Boundaries in the Family
Development, Resources, and Composition of the Family
Adapting to Stressors
Creating Maps of the Family Structure
Defining the Core Concepts of the Intergenerational Model
Differentiation and Emotional Management
Unresolved Family of Origin Issues
Multigenerational Transmission Processes
The Genogram
Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn about two different models of
family functioning. These describe how families function within
the theory and organization you already understand. You
learned, in Lesson One, about some basic concepts, including

the family systems theory, and that while families are unique,
they all share many of the same basic tasks. Topics to be
covered include:
Defining a functional or dysfunctional family.
Understanding the use of models of family function.
Structural models of family function.
Intergenerational models of family function.
Models of Family Functioning
Models of family functioning
help to explain the strategies families use to complete basic
tasks. According to Anderson and Sabatelli, these models
highlight the ways in which the regular, patterned, and
predictable patterns of interaction that occur within the family
elicit predictable responses from family members (2010, p. 44).
In order to understand family functioning, you need to know
what defines a functional family and what defines a
dysfunctional family.

For the purpose of this discussion,
functional
means workable. The family is accomplishing essential tasks.
They may not be doing the tasks well, or in the best ways
possible, but they are doing essential tasks. A
dysfunctional
family is not able to complete or execute essential tasks or to
cope with stress. Understanding the impact of the family
context
is critical, as it provides information about how individuals act
within the family. Family context also explains why some
people act very differently with their family than they do in a
classroom or workplace.
The first of the models of family functioning in this lesson is
the structural model. The structural model of family functioning
looks at the structural foundations of the family. The structural
foundations of the family enable it to address its problems or to
fail to address those problems.
The second model of family functioning in this lesson is the
intergenerational model. The intergenerational model of family
functioning is focused on how patterns of behavior and
modeling established in past generations or the

family of origin
impact behavior in the family today.
Defining of Structural Models of Family Functioning
According to the structural model, the family has an underlying
structure. Think of this as a foundation, like a building has a
foundation. This structure shapes and supports all the
interactions between family members. If the family has a strong
structure, it will be better able to withstand stress. If the
structure is less effective, the family is more likely to collapse
into dysfunction during times of stress.
Three different dimensions support you in understanding family
systems structure. You need to recognize and understand the
family’s organizational characteristics, the ways in which
patterns of family transactions are suitable to the family
system’s developmental level and available resources, and the
means the family uses to respond to stress.
STRUCTURAL MODEL
3 ASSUMPTIONS

The
structural model of family functioning
was developed by Salvador Minuchin and his colleagues in the
1960s and 1970s. They drew on their research into families, as
well as their clinical work. In order to understand the structural
model, you must understand the three assumptions that shape
this model.
Organization of the Family
Family organization is made up of three different and
interdependent factors. These are the organization of family
subsystems—you’ll remember that a
subsystem
is a grouping of individuals within the family, relationships
between the different subsystems, and the boundaries between
the subsystems.
Subsystems in the family can be based on generational lines,
gender divisions, interests or functions in the family. There are
three primary subsystems in the family: parental, marital and
sibling. Each of the primary subsystems has tasks it must
execute for the family to function properly.

PARENTAL
MARITAL
SIBLING
Subsystems are organized into a
hierarchy
. Some subsystems are above others in that hierarchy.
Essentially, the family has levels of power, and there are often
hierarchies within individual subsystems. For instance, in the
sibling subsystem, the oldest sibling may hold the most power.
Parents should always maintain the top point in the hierarchy.
That doesn’t mean that the children’s thoughts are disregarded,
but rather than the nurturing and resources flow from the top
downward to the lower levels of the hierarchy. If the children in
the family take on parental tasks, either in terms of nurturing or
responsibility for the parents, this is called
parentification
. Parentification often leads to dysfunctional families and a poor
upbringing for the children.
Boundaries are essential to the fully functional family.
Boundaries “define who is in the system and its subsystems and
regulate how family members are to interact with one another”

(Anderson & Sabatelli, 2010, p. 47).
Knowledge Check
1
Question 1
Which subsystem should be at the top of the hierarchy?
SiblingParentalFamily of originMaritalI don't know
One attempt
Submit answer
Coalitions and Unclear Boundaries in the Family
While boundaries are healthy and essential, some boundaries
may be unhealthy. These can, over time, even lead to family
dysfunction. When used effectively, boundaries help to preserve
the hierarchy in the family and maintain stability. In the last
lesson, you learned that boundaries could be disengaged, or
overly rigid, or they could be enmeshed, or too diffuse. Neither
option is positive within the family structure.

Think of boundaries on a continuum. Enmeshed boundaries are
at one end of that continuum, and disengaged ones at the
opposite end of the continuum. Healthy and appropriate
boundaries fall in the middle of the continuum (Gilles, 2014).
Coalitions
occur when two or more members of the family side together
against another member or members of the family. An
alliance
occurs when two or more members of the family unite in a
shared interest that, which may exclude another family
member. Coalitions interfere with family function and health,
alliances do not. Cross-generational coalitions, when a parent
and child side together against the other parent, are especially
damaging to family hierarchies and structure.
Boundaries and hierarchies within the family depend on a
number of factors, including the family’s organization and
composition, developmental level of family members, and
available resources in the family.
HEALTHY VS. UNHEALTHY BOUNDARIES
HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

UNHEALTHY BOUNDARIES
What does a healthy boundary look like?
Parents in the family keep marital issues private from their
children, whether those relate to sexuality or conflicts.
Parents do not use children as confidants or overshare personal
information. If directly asked, they provide a vague and age-
appropriate answer.
Parents do not publicly side with a child against the other
parent. If need be, any discussions about conflicts in parenting
style are private, rather than public.
Children feel open and comfortable speaking to their parents
about private issues.
Conflicts are discussed and dealt with quickly. Issues are not
left to fester.
When providing information, parents are conscious of what is

suitable or appropriate for children.
Parents are thoughtful about what they share with one another if
a child confides in them, based on family rules and ideas.
Knowledge Check
1
Question 1
Which of the following is the most damaging in the family?
SubsystemsCoalitionsBoundariesAlliancesI don't know
One attempt
Submit answer
Development and Composition of the Family
A WIDE VARIETY OF FACTORS CONTRIBUTES TO THE
DEVELOPMENT OF BOUNDARIES AND HIERARCHIES
WITHIN THE FAMILY.

AGE OF CHILDREN
FAMILY RESOURCES
FAMILY STRUCTURE
The developmental level of the family relates to the ages of the
oldest children in the family. As children get older they gain
more autonomy and may have more say in the general operation
and tasks of the family. In some families, they may also have
more responsibilities, or contribute to available resources in the
family.
Consider two different families. In the first, the oldest child is
four. She has two younger siblings, two and only three months
old. In this family, the parents retain full control of the
household, as children are not yet particularly capable of
offering input. In the second family, the oldest child is 20 and
no longer living at home. The children still at home are 14 years
old and 16 years old, as well as a four-year-old sibling. The two
older children still at home provide after-school care to the
young child and help manage several maintenance tasks. In this
family, the two older children are entitled to a larger say in the

structure and management of the family.
Knowledge Check
1
Question 1
Which of the following is an example of a resource adaptation
to meet family needs?
Parents shifting work schedules to care for children.Parents
caring for children.Teens moving out to go to
college.Grandparents providing childcare for their
grandchildren.I don't know
One attempt
Submit answer
Adapting to Stressors
A functional system can adapt or adjust to meet the needs of its
members. Adaptations are necessary for a variety of different
reasons, including the changing developmental needs of
children in the family, as well as shifts in family composition

and structure. External factors may also require adaptation, like
a new job or move for the family.
Adaptations can take different forms and may be appropriate
adaptations or inappropriate adaptations. For instance, in a
healthy family, when children grow up and leave the home,
parents might choose to travel more, take up new hobbies, or
start volunteer work. In a less-healthy family, this change might
be met by a range of different and socially inappropriate
adaptations, like a mental health crisis, feigned health issues, or
excess drinking or reliance on drugs. The healthy adaptations to
this change prepare all members of the family for a new future
and an adult relationship. The unhealthy adaptations may leave
children unable to leave home or move on and are
psychologically damaging for all members of the family.
Families with effective hierarchies and appropriate structure in
the parent-child relationship are more able to adapt to stress and
change effectively. These families are less likely to become
dysfunctional and fail to complete essential tasks.
Creating Maps of the Family Structure
The structure of the family can be diagrammed or mapped to

provide a visual understanding of how relationships,
interactions, and boundaries work within the family. According
to Anderson and Sabatelli, “Each family’s map is defined by its
boundaries, the hierarchical relationships among family
members, and by the alignment of subsystems within the
system” (2010, p. 51).
Mapping allows you to answer a number of questions about the
family structure, including:
"
Who
has the power in the home and family, including dead people
and non-relatives?
Who's
in charge of the home?
Who
is aligned and who is conflicted?
Is
anyone excluded from full family membership? By Whom?
Why?

How
does the family structure react to crises, major conflicts, and
membership changes?” (Gerlach, 2015)
Maps provide a visual representation of family structures,
useful to the structural therapist, or to the individual. You may
want to try drawing a map of your own family structure to
practice this technique.
GENOGRAM OR FAMILY MAPPING SYMBOLS
Defining the Core Concepts of the Intergenerational Model
According to Anderson and Sabatelli, “Bowen’s model of
family functioning focuses on how experiences in the family of
origin establish a legacy that affects (1) the development of
individual family members and (2) the patterns of adjustment
found in subsequent generations of the family” (2010, p. 56).
While the structural model looks at how individuals and
subsystems relate within the family, the
intergenerational model of family functioning
focuses on how those relationships came to be, what led to
these patterns of interaction in the first place.

While there are several different intergenerational models of
family functioning, one of the most important was developed by
Dr. Murray Bowen in 1978. Bowen’s model provides a
functional framework to help therapists understand family
interaction, based on extensive experience and research.
DIFFERENTIATION
Differentiation
is the key defining concept of Bowen’s intergenerational
model. Differentiation is the amount of difference tolerated or
accepted within the family. A family that is well-differentiated
is tolerant of differences among individual members. A family
that is poorly differentiated is not tolerant of differences among
the members of the family. Tolerances are regulated in three
interdependent processes: the regulation of internal boundaries,
the management of emotional needs and responses and the
execution of identity tasks (Anderson & Sabatelli, 2010, p. 57).
‘Difference’ here should be understood as individuality. This
includes personal autonomy, independence, and privacy within
the family structure. In a poorly differentiated family,
fusion
negates individuality. Families are closely meshed together and
may believe that they think and feel as a single entity.

Knowledge Check
1
Question 1
Who developed the intergenerational model of family function?
Jay HaleyMurray BowenSalvador MinuchinSigmund FreudI
don't know
One attempt
Submit answer
Differentiation and Emotional Management
Differentiation impacts a number of different family functions,
including the emotional management of the family. In a well -
differentiated family, each member of the family’s thoughts,
ideas and feelings are respected. The family’s goals for
emotional management include empathy, sensitivity, and
concern.
The more poorly differentiated a family is, the more likely it is

to rely upon triangulation.
Triangulation
, much like the coalition described earlier in this lesson, is
where two parties in the family join together to transfer tension
or stress to a third party in the family or outside of it. The third
party is not always a person—it can be a hobby, alcohol, drug
use, or another external factor. Even healthy and well -
differentiated families can, on occasion, experience
triangulation.
Consider several examples of triangulation. Some of these types
of triangulation are more appropriate or helpful than others.
Example 1:
A married couple argues, perhaps over money or their intimate
relationship. The wife in the couple confides in her sister. The
two share complaints and this relieves some of the tension the
wife is experiencing. In this case, diffusing the tension
improved the marital relationship. The couple discussed the
conflict calmly and were able to move forward.
Example 2:
A father and teen daughter are not getting along well. Dad
begins to spend more time away from home. He plays golf, and
when he’s home, he’s in the basement drinking. There is less

conflict because he’s not present, but the relationship between
father and daughter continues to degrade.
Triangulation takes place in nearly every relationship. Well -
differentiated relationships experience less conflict and
therefore are less likely to experience triangulation. Well -
differentiated individuals feel more secure and capable of
managing their own emotions and resolving conflict in healthy
and appropriate ways.
In moderation, it may not be harmful. For instance, using
triangulation to distract from minor annoyances may reduce
conflict without damaging the relationship. In some cases,
diffusing tension may enable calm conflict resolution. More
often, triangulation acts to avoid resolving the conflict.
Unresolved conflict increases stress and tension within the
family.
Differentiation and Identity
Identity tasks share family themes and stories to create a clear
understanding of the family’s goals, values, and ideas.
Differentiation plays a key role in how identity develops in the
family and how identity relates to the individuals in the family.

DIFFERENTIATION OF SELF
EFFECTS OF POOR DIFFERENTIATION OF SELF
In this lesson, you already learned that differentiation supports
autonomy and independence. Identity can be more or less
flexible in the family. In a poorly differentiated family, identity
is more important than individuality. In a well-differentiated
family, identity supports individuality. Differentiation in the
family system is essential for differentiation of the self.
Differentiation of the self is, according to Bowen, “the extent to
which one has successfully resolved emotional attachments to
one’s family of origin” (1978).
Differentiation of self
is essential for healthy emotional functioning for the individual
and within the family. Adequate levels of self-differentiation
reduce relationship stress and provide individuals with the
ability to remain an individual while participating in close
personal and emotional connections. These individuals are able
to be flexible in their relationships, sharing close emotional
spaces, empathy, and conversation, while remaining separate
from others.

People with a poor differentiation of self-are less able to remain
individuals with their own identity while in a relationship.
Fusion is common in their relationships, and they may place
unhealthy or inappropriate demands on others in the
relationship.
Unresolved Family of Origin Issues
According to Bowen, many people experience unresolved issues
with their family of origin. These continue into adulthood, and
may, for people who are well self-differentiated, be minor. For
those with poor differentiation of self, they are likely to be
more severe and have a greater impact on the individual and
their daily life (The Bowen Center, 2016).
Unresolved family of origin issues often lead to immaturity,
both with the parents and the younger adult. Many adults, even
long after beginning to live independently, still feel like a child
when visiting parents. This is a minor example of an unresolved
family of origin issue. Unresolved family of origin issues may
also present as anger or guilt. For instance, an adult child
remains angry at one parent due to conflict within the
family and works to create distance between herself and her
parents. When she interacts with them, she feels guilty because

their relationship is limited and relatively minimal.
People with significant unresolved family of origin issues may
cope in three different ways. These mechanisms don’t just
impact their relationships with the family of origin, but also
relationships on a day-to-day basis with people outside the
family of origin, including their relationships with intimate
partners, and later children.
CONFLICT
BEHAVIOR AND RELATIONSHIPS
PROJECTION
Multigenerational Transmission Processes
When individuals marry, they typically choose people with a
similar level of differentiation of self to themselves. They come
into the marriage with equal levels of family of origin issues.
They bring their issues to the marriage and then pass those
issues down to their children. This is called the
multigenerational transmission process.

Children gain more or less self-differentiation in the family.
This can depend upon several factors, including their position in
the family projection process. A child that is less enmeshed
with the parents is more able to develop differentiation of self.
While multigenerational transmission may vary, it helps to
understand why families so often repeat patterns of unhealthy
relationships and interactions.
Understanding the impact of multigenerational transmission
helps the therapist to recognize and understand how families
relate to one another. Family patterns will, in many cases,
repeat from generation-to-generation. Individuals can often
work to resolve many of the issues created by their fami ly of
origin, but it can take active work and effort.
Knowledge Check
1
Question 1
In a family, one child bears the brunt of the parents’ anger. This
is an example of:
AllianceTriangulationFamily projection

processMultigenerational transmission processI don't know
One attempt
Submit answer
The Genogram
The structural model of family functioning uses mapping.
Intergenerational models also use a similar sort of mapping,
called a
genogram
. The genogram includes names, dates, and key events in the life
of the family. Standard symbols are used to identify
relationships. Using the genogram, it can be much easier to see
and recognize the multigenerational transmission process.
You can create genograms by hand. However, you can also opt
to make genograms using digital tools. Simple drawing
programs can easily enable this, or you can use software
designed for genograms, like GenePro. GenePro offers a free
version, available at
http://www.genopro.com/free/
.
Conclusion

In this lesson, you have learned about two different models of
family functioning: structural and intergenerational. These two
share some traits and can be looked at separately or used
together in a family therapy setting.
Structural models provide you with information about
subsystems, boundaries, coalitions and adaptation in the family.
Intergenerational models help you to understand the emotional
impact of family relationships and strategies in the family of
origin. You can likely recognize several overlapping ideas in
these models.
Both structural and intergenerational models have a strong and
ongoing interest in boundaries, stressors, and interdependence
among members of the family. In some cases, these two models
use different terms to describe similar concepts, like coalitions
and triangulation. Both offer the option of using a graphic
organizer to recognize family dynamics and interactions, with
the structural model relying upon mapping and the
intergenerational model using genograms.

Key Terms
A
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
Alliance: When two members of the family join together over a
shared interest, without damaging another party.
M

O
S
T
U
Models of Family Functioning: Models used to explain how
families interact with one another and their relationships.
Multigenerational Transmission Process: Passing family of
origin issues from one generation to the next.
Overfunctioning: A partner who takes on too many
responsibilities or a parental role.
References
Anderson, S. A., & Sabatelli, R. (2010
). Family Interaction: A Multigenerational Developmental
Perspective
. London:Pearson Learning

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