Family Theory Example

Family Theory Example Family Theory â€" Essay Example > Family TheoryIntroduction The family system remains a crucial component of today’s nursing practices. Friedemann (1989) views the family as a human social system possessing distinct characteristics, composed of individuals possessing equally distinct characteristics. The family can have a positive or negative effect on an individual depending on the prevailing family values, beliefs, and ability to accept and carry out change. Nurses have been using genograms, ecomaps and family assessment tools in order to understand family systems and relationships. One of the models used in nursing is structural-functional theory. This theory assists nurses to understand the role of family in nursing, thereby helping them know how to work with families. This paper is a description, analysis and critique of this theory. Recent research on structural-functional theory is also discussed in detail. The paper also analyzes the skills required by nurses in order to improve their practice while work ing with families in the context of this theory. Structural-functional theory BackgroundThe structural-functional theory was first proposed in 1951 by Talcott Parsons. Since then, this theory has been developed and used in families in many disciplines, including nursing (Friedman, 1999). The structural-functional theory concentrates on the family as a social system and the underlying sub-systems that have functional requirements. Emphasis is on the arrangement of all family members into a strong functional system. According to Artinian (1994), a family is a system that possesses interacting elements. The interrelationships and interdependence among individuals is what makes it a system. Within this system, there are many sub-systems take the form of interpersonal relations between family members. The main strength of these systems, according to Artinian, is openness. Open exchanges are always taking place both inside and outside every family. The level of interaction in a family s ystem varies depending to the extent of interaction with the environment. Family boundaries do not take a physical form; rather, they are evident in values, attitudes, beliefs and rules that guide the nature of the family’s interaction with the immediate environment. The energy level of a family is determined, to a large extent by the nature of this interaction (Artinian, 1994). The term ‘energy’ may be equated to ‘strength’ as far as the structural-functional theory is concerned. If this is the case, the strengths are determined through interactions, valuing, decision-making, goal-setting and problem solving. Concept of family structureThe main structural components of a family include power structure, roles, communication, values, and patterns, Functions are what the families work on together to achieve and they are an outcome of family structure. Research on the role of families in nursing has been going on for decades. Psychologists, counselors, psychiatrists, family educators and social workers appreciate the role that the family plays in safeguarding the health of the members who constitute it. Otto (1963) lists the various factors that determine family strength in execution of its functions: parental discipline, support, encouragement of growth and maturation, meaningful participation, spiritual wellbeing, good communication and problem-solving skills. Otto’s (1963) work was based largely on an analysis on analyses of discourse on family theory from the viewpoint of psychology, psychiatry, and sociology, written between 1940s and 1960s. In this literature, 15 categories of functioning were identified from the perspective of structural-functional theory, whereby four categories were identified. These categories include family as strength in itself, strength as parents, strong marriage, and parents offering help to children as they grow up.