NCJ Number
77717
Date Published
1981
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This paper describes a multidisciplinary conceptual framework which focuses on the family in the context of its social environment to help in understanding such dysfunctional behaviors as abuse, neglect, delinquency, and crime.
Abstract
The framework views family functioning through a number of structural components. The family's task force structure concerns who does what within the family unit and how often, while its communication structure reflects the characteristics of verbal and nonverbal messages. Its power structure is concerned with who influences whom, as well as who makes the decisions and how often; the affectional structure refers to who likes whom and who dislikes whom. Three possible types of stressors are seen as preceding family disorganization: chronic situations, such as poverty or the presence of a retarded child; sudden changes, such as unemployment or hospitalization of a family member; and immediate behavorial occurrences, such as arguments which trigger a particular incident of deviance. Family integration is central to the family's vulnerability to stress, but available social resources are also important. These concepts are demonstrated through an application to the problems of child abuse, status offenses, child neglect, and minor criminal offenses. The paper suggests that in child abuse or status offense cases, intensive family therapy that uses the social network may be the preferred treatment, since family members are usually involved. But in cases of neglect or criminal behavior by a minor, treatment will be more difficult and require a variety of serices. Charts, footnotes, and a 61-item reference list are included.