Damaged, Deficient or Determined? Deconstructing Narratives in Family Therapy

1996 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 123-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Kottler ◽  
Judith Soal
Keyword(s):  
Family Therapy ◽  
South African ◽  
Analytic Approach ◽  
Narrative Approach ◽  
Family Unit ◽  
Socially Constructed ◽  
The Family ◽  
Truth Claims ◽  
Dominant Narratives ◽  
Objective Existence

This study attempts to challenge the prevailing understanding of family problems within the field of family therapy. Drawing on post-structuralist approaches to knowledge, truth and power, we suggest that the problems experienced by the families cannot be seen to have an objective existence, or to be internal to the ‘family unit’. Rather, the problem-saturated narratives presented by families are shaped by an investment in socially constructed knowledges which ascribe meaning to experience. A discourse analytic approach is used to explore the dominant narratives of a coloured South African family presenting for family therapy. Discourses of civilization, ideal mothers and families, and therapy are considered to have informed these narratives. An analysis of the implications of these discursive investments, and the contradictions within and between these discourses, is conducted. This analysis suggests the manner in which this family is subjugated and rendered damaged and deficient through an aspiration to unobtainable and contradictory ideals. The study also examines the way in which the truth claims of these discourses are challenged by a therapist adopting a narrative approach to family therapy.

An Eclectic View of the Family Therapy Field

1988 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 527-528
Author(s):  
Thorana S. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Family Therapy ◽  
The Family ◽  
Therapy Field

Two new species ofSyllis(Polychaeta: Syllidae) from South Africa, one of them viviparous, with remarks on larval development and vivipary

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 729-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Simon ◽  
Guillermo San Martín ◽  
Georgina Robinson
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
New Species ◽  
South African ◽  
The Other ◽  
Coralline Algae ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
The Family ◽  
Two New Species ◽  
Haliotis Midae ◽  
Characteristic Colour

Two new species of South African Syllidae of the genusSyllisLamarck, 1818 are described.Syllis unzimasp. nov. is characterized by having unidentate compound chaetae with long spines on margin, a characteristic colour pattern and its reproduction by vivipary. Vivipary is not common among the polychaetes, but most representatives occur in the family Syllidae Grube, 1850 (in five otherSyllisspecies, two species ofDentatisyllisPerkins, 1981 and two species ofParexogoneMesnil & Caullery, 1818).Syllis unzimasp. nov. differs from the other viviparous species in having large broods (>44 juveniles) which develop synchronously. Development of the juveniles is similar to that of free-spawningSyllisspecies, but the appearance of the first pair of eyespots and the differentiation of the pharynx and proventricle occur later inS. unzima.Syllis amicarmillarissp. nov., is characterized by having an elongated body with relatively short, fusiform dorsal cirri and the presence of one or two pseudosimple chaeta on midbody parapodia by loss of blade and enlargement of shaft.Syllis unzimasp. nov. was found in high densities on culturedHolothuria scabraJaeger, 1833 with single specimens found on a culturedCrassostrea gigasThunberg, 1793 and on coralline algae, respectively, whileS. amicarmillariswas found mainly in sediment outside an abalone farm and less frequently on culturedHaliotis midaeLinnaeus, 1758. We discuss the possible benefits of the association withH. scabratoS. unzimasp. nov.

News and Announcements

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1976 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 436-438
Keyword(s):  
Family Therapy ◽  
Annual Conference ◽  
Child Guidance Clinic ◽  
Family Therapy Training ◽  
Guidance Clinic ◽  
Child Guidance ◽  
The Family ◽  
Center Boulevard ◽  
Civic Center ◽  
Hilton Hotel

WHO WORKS FOR CHILDREN: THE REALITIES: 11th Annual Conference sponsored by the Association for the Care of Children in Hospitals, Hilton Hotel, Denver, Colorado, March 24 to 27. Preregistration is required. For information write: Ms. Lynn Moulthrop, ACCH Colorado Affiliate, P.O. Box 613, Aurora, Colorado 80010 PSYCHOSOMATIC MEDICINE AND FAMILY THERAPY: Symposium sponsored by the Family Therapy Training Center, Philadelphia Child Guidance, Clinic, May 1 and 2. Fee $100. For information write: Ms. Helene Davis, Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic, 34th St. & Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.

Lessons from the family unit in paediatric heart transplantation: can we do better?

2021 ◽  
pp. archdischild-2021-322101
Author(s):  
Hanna J Tadros ◽  
Alana R Rawlinson ◽  
Dipankar Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Heart Transplantation ◽  
Family Unit ◽  
The Family

Prevention of Progression to Severe Obesity in a Group of Obese Schoolchildren Treated With Family Therapy

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 91 (5) ◽  
pp. 880-884
Author(s):  
Carl-Erik Flodmark ◽  
Torsten Ohlsson ◽  
Olof Rydén ◽  
Tomas Sveger
Keyword(s):  
Family Therapy ◽  
Conventional Treatment ◽  
Severe Obesity ◽  
Therapy Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Obese Children ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Conventional Treatment Group ◽  
The Family

Study objective. To evaluate the effect of family therapy on childhood obesity. Design. Clinical trial. One year follow-up. Setting. Referral from school after screening. Participants. Of 1774 children (aged 10 to 11), screened for obesity, 44 obese children were divided into two treatment groups. In an untreated control group of 50 obese children, screened in the same manner, body mass index (BMI) values were recorded twice, at 10 to 11 and at 14 years of age. Intervention. Both treatment groups received comparable dietary counseling and medical checkups for a period of 14 to 18 months, while one of the groups also received family therapy. Results. At the 1-year follow-up, when the children were 14 years of age, intention-to-treat analyses were made of the weight and height data for 39 of 44 children in the two treatment groups and for 48 of the 50 control children. The increase of BMI in the family therapy group was less than in the conventional treatment group at the end of treatment, and less than in the control group (P = .04 and P = .02, respectively). Moreover, mean BMI was significantly lower in the family therapy group than in the control group (P < .05), and the family therapy group also had fewer children with BMI > 30 than the control group (P = .02). The reduction of triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfold thicknesses, expressed as percentages of the initial values, was significantly greater in the family therapy group than in the conventional treatment group (P = .03, P = .005 and P = .002, respectively), and their physical fitness was significantly better (P < .05). Conclusions. Family therapy seems to be effective in preventing progression to severe obesity during adolescence if the treatment starts at 10 to 11 years of age.

Experience and impact of the 1-2-3 magic parent programme for children with ADHD on the family unit from the mothers’ perspectives: A narrative analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 136749352110399
Author(s):  
Stephanie Allen ◽  
Stephen K Bradley ◽  
Eileen Savage
Keyword(s):  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Children With Adhd ◽  
Family Unit ◽  
The Family ◽  
Narrative Constructions ◽  
The Impact

Parent programmes are often used in the clinical management of children with ADHD. Research into parent programmes has predominantly been concerned with their effectiveness and much less attention has been paid to the impact that they may be having on the family and the inter-relationships between family members. This study explores the perspectives and experiences of parents of children with ADHD, who participated in a parent programme, including its impact on the family unit. A purposive sample of six mothers of children with ADHD who completed a 1-2-3 Magic parent programme in Ireland was invited to take part in this qualitative study. Data were collected by means of individual in-depth, semi-structured interviews and a narrative inquiry approach further informed analysis of the interview data. Two major narrative constructions of experience: ‘parent programme as positive’ and ‘parent programme as negative’ were identified. Outcomes from this study illustrated some unintended consequences caused by the parent programme (i.e. sibling rivalry and conflict arising between family members). Mothers believed that the parent programme was a beneficial intervention, but it was not without its flaws and they felt it was helpful for their family when used in conjunction with other supports and mediations.

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