Posted on June 19, 2019 by Origins Behavioral HealthCare
Every family has their quirks, which make them stand out from every other family. Beyond quirks, family systems present specific dynamics which both positively and negatively contribute to the function of a family. Each family member has a role to play, which they are either inadvertently given by other members of the family or that they grow into naturally. Family roles contribute to the overall family dynamic and vice versa, which can lead to comfortable, familiar dysfunction that families simply get used to.
Specifically, family dynamics are the ways that family members relate to each other, interact with each other, and provide love, as well as support, to each other.
Years of lessons taught from one family dynamic to the next shape each generation of families. Family dynamics extend beyond the immediate nuclear family of parents and siblings, which means that layers of family dynamics can be involved at once from grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and more. With a jumble of personalities, personal experiences, and family roles at play, family dynamics can sometimes become tumultuous, chaotic, dramatic, and hurtful to the family. Gaining an understanding of family dynamics and participating in family therapy gives every family system an opportunity to heal.
In addition to generations of learning, there are other factors which contribute to the development of family dynamics, including:
– Are the parents together or divorced? – Are the parents in a loving relationship or a conflicted relationship? – Do the parents show affection and have healthy boundaries or is there abuse and coldness?
– Are parents strict with their boundaries or too flexible? – Do parents demonstrate any kind of abuse- physical, emotional, mental, verbal, or sexual? – Are parents emotionally available or far removed?
Family dynamics can be further influenced by the kind of family and family system. Not all families include both parents and a number of children but have different combinations of family members. For example, there is the Nuclear Family which includes the parents and the immediate children. When parents divorce, remarry and have other children, there is a Stepfamily. Without another spouse, but still including a child, there is a Single Family. When there are a husband and wife, but no children, there is a Childless Family. Outside of the immediate family system, grandparents might be involved in raising children, creating a Grandparent Family. Other cousins, aunts, uncles, family members, or even close family friends can make up the Extended Family.
Especially in family dynamics when one member of the family is living with active addiction, family roles can become problematic in contributing to negative relationships. Through family therapy, each family member has an opportunity to discover the role that they have adopted, how that role contributes to the family system, and what they can do to break the bonds of that role in order to heal the self as well as the family. Common family roles include:
Every family has a chance to heal from addiction, mental illness trauma, and whatever other factors might contribute to family dysfunction. Let your healing start today. If a loved one in your family is in need of treatment, we’re here to help.
Origins Behavioral Healthcare is a well-known care provider offering a range of treatment programs targeting the recovery from substance use, mental health issues, and beyond. Our primary mission is to provide a clear path to a life of healing and restoration. We offer renown clinical care for addiction and have the compassion and professional expertise to guide you toward lasting sobriety. For information on our programs, call us today: 844-843-8935.