Family Case Conceptualization

Running head: FAMILY CASE










Jefferson Family Case Conceptualization
Jesus Castro-Sanchez
AU/ASPP









Jefferson Family Case Conceptualization
A family is a complicated structure that is sometimes underestimated in terms of an individual’s development in several spheres. There are several factors in a family structure that may promote dysfunction not only inthe family but in the individual themselves. One of those factors is the family’s homeostasis or ability to equalize. The concept of homeostasis means that the family system seeks to maintain its customary organization and functioning over time. It tends to resist any type of change that may try to interfere with the families customary functioning. Usually the family has set rules that may or maynot be overt by which the family members can gauge how each member is behaving and the amount of change the family is willing to tolerate. When things are not as customary as they wish, members of the family may either actively or passive react to try to fight that change and came back to their “normal” functioning. Although we wish that the act of equilibrium is positive, behaviors employed todo so may not always be positive and can sometimes be pathological. In the case of the Jefferson family there is significant amount of stress and the family members feel overwhelmed by the problems. This stress and the amount of problems the family is willing to tolerate has crossed the threshold which has promoted Kinshasha’s acting out. With her acting out and pregnancy, Kinshasha has takenthe families mind away from the other problems and brings Ms. Delores Jefferson’s focus and attention back to Kinshasha and the immediate family. After the loss of her baby, Kinshasha was no longer present, meaning that the family could focus back on the problems which prompted Kinshasha to draw the attention back to herself by the suicide attempt. This seems to be a recurring family pattern todeal with tension and stress in the family. Delores, Kinshasha’s mother, has a history of being the family scapegoat. Her constantly being in trouble drew the attention away from the issues in the family and towards her. These are pathological ways of creating equilibrium in the family that Delores’ children probably learned from her.
Another factor that is important in the family structure isthe family members’ ability to differentiate themselves. Differentiation refers to the ability of each family member to maintain his or her own sense of self, while remaining emotionally connected to the family. One mark of a healthy family is its capacity to allow members to differentiate, while family members still feel that they are "members in good standing" of the family. A very basicelement of differentiation is for the individual to be able to not permit the stress and emotions guide and control their behaviors. The other part of the process is for the individual to be able to separate from the family and become an individual without the need of the family to help or control. What is expected is that an individual become solidly differentiated and that they do not compromisetheir happiness for the sake of the happiness of other family members or to just achieve family harmony. Individuals who are not able to do so become extremely fused with the family or specific family members and are very dependent on them. They are unable to express their true feelings due to not causing stress in the family. With regard to the Jefferson family, the mother Delores is a fusedindividual who is unable to differentiate. She is an individual who has become dependent on her mother and family members to figure her life and problems out. This dependence has spilled over to others she has incorporated in her family such as the church pastor and Sister Joan. She expressed in therapy that she does not know what to do or say to her children about the issues they are going...