Family Systems Theory

• Family systems theory suggests that individuals cannot be understood in isolation from one another but rather as a part of their family as the family is an emotional unit.
• Minuchin identified key features of a typical anorexic family which typically focus on the rs between mother and daughter
• What happens to individual identities in anorexic families + what is the result for the daughter

  • Individual identities are lost and an enmeshed family identity forms.
  • As a result, the daughter struggles to have her own independent distinct identity
• What do anorexic family members do

  • Overly involved with each other
  • Spend a lot of time together,
  • Imping on each others privacy
  • Make assumptions for each other's views.
• What does autonomy control lead to

  • Autonomy control leads to the underlying triggers of AN and feelings of loss of control
  • Fuels a drive for acquiring autonomy and control (especially if mother and family members don't accept the daughters need for independence)
• What does Bruch say

  • Bruch - self starvation in AN is an attempt by the daughter to assert independence over her own actions
  • Lose significant weight
  • Differentiate her identity from everyone else
• What happens the thinner a daughter gets

  • The thinner she gets, she gains a more independent identity
  • Feels more in control over herself
• Overprotectiveness - family systems theory (blurt)

  • Anorectic family members are obsessively involved in protecting each other from external threat.
  • Reinforces family loyalty and leaves no room for independence
  • Mother sees her role as self sacrificing to protect family members
• Rigidity - family systems theory (blurt)

  • When problems arise - there is a familial lack of flexibility to adapt to new situations
  • The mother raises levels of inflexibility and refuses to explore alternatives when facing problems
• Conflict avoidance - family systems theory (blurt)

  • In an anorexic family, steps are taken to suppress conflict from occurring
  • Leads to a state of constant unresolved conflict - intense conflicts abandoned before their resolution
  • A crisis could develop e.g. the daughter may refuse to eat and starves herself but the family refuses to accept there is a problem needed to be discussed
• Eval points for family systems theory

  • S - supporting evidence for the role of family in the development of AN (Manzi et al)
  • W - refuting evidence for assumptions of family systems theory (Aragona et al)
  • W - misrepresents the role of the family in development of AN (Carr)
  • W - gender biased
• W - family systems theory is gender biased. Gremillion - gender bias in FST bc it focuses almost exclusively on the mother daughter rs. They argue that FST assumes only the mother can engage in enmeshed interactions with the daughter when in reality, any family member can do so. e.g. a father can facilitate enmeshment through being very controlling and demanding which FST ignores. W bc therapies used to reduce enmeshment/AN will only target "dysfunctional mothers" and overlook the role of fathers in the development of AN. Bc FST is gender bias - lacks generalisability -\V
• W - FST misrepresents the role of the family in the development of AN. Carr - found evidence for the role of family in development of AN in adolescents as family focused therapies have been effective. But Le Grange and Eisler - while these therapies work, the changes they institute aren't pertinent to the factors outlined by the psychosomatic model. Shows that while families play a part in the development of AN, it's not through behs like enmeshment and a lack of individual autonomy. Therefore the model is incomplete and cannot be applied to all instances of AN. \V
• S - supporting evidence for the role of the family in the development of AN. Manzi et al demonstrated that supportive family interaction often led to family cohesion, often leading to positive outcomes for the psychological wellbeing among adolescents. Enmeshment was often rooted in manipulation and control and had the opposite effect. Since enmeshment has been proven to have a negative impact on mental wellbeing. Plausible that it may contribute to the development of AN in some ppl. This provides indirect yet, indicative evidence of the role of the family in AN. / V
• W - evidence fails to support assumptions of FST. Aragona et al studied 30 Portuguese women being treated for eating disorders and found that their families were no more enmeshed or rigid than a sample of non-eating disorder affected families. Shows that research failed to identify a particular "type" of anorectic family predicted by FST. Families with anorexic members appear to be diverse in terms of social dynamics. Decreases V