Marital violence: An integrated systems approach

A review of current issues and approaches to the problem of marital violence is presented. In order to understand volatile relationships, these attachments are discussed within the context of the normal progression of events in the formation and development of a marriage. A systems model that integrates current conceptual thinking is presented. The article concludes with a paradigm for therapeutic decision-making and strategies that flow from the integrated systems model.     

MODELS FOR GENERALIZED LOCATION SYSTEMS

A formal framework is introduced for a general class of assignment systems that can be used to characterize a range of social phenomena. An exponential family of distributions is developed for modeling such systems, allowing for the incorporation of both attributional and relational covariates. Methods are shown for simulation and inference using the location system model. Two illustrative applications (occupational stratification and residential settlement patterns) are presented, and simulation is employed to show the behavior of the location system model in each case; a third application, involving occupancy of positions within an organization, is used to demonstrate inference for the location system. By leveraging established results in the fields of social network analysis, spatial statistics, and statistical mechanics, it is argued that sociologists can model complex social systems without sacrificing inferential tractability.     

An adolescent services plan to incorporate status offenders into the child welfare system

A model plan is presented for adolescent services that would facilitate the current trend to shift troubled but nondelinquent youngsters from the juvenile justice system into the child welfare system.     

Exorcising the Ghosts In the Marital System

A heuristic model is presented for the diagnosis and treatment of families in stress. A systems approach and psychoanalytic concepts are integrated to understand and modify dysfunctional behavior transmitted across generations .     

What is a system?

A new definition and model of a system is presented utilizing graph theoretic concepts and introducing nested graphs. By a comprehensive search of the literature, this abstract formulation of a system is shown to incorporate extant theory. The approach of Emery and Trist using open and closed systems, the system-environment model of Cartwright and Harary, and the structural role system of Oeser and Harary are all subsumed as special cases. The value of such a theory is discussed in statistical terms by considering correlational problems and Simpson's paradox. A general problem-solving algorithm is presented, using this model of a system, suggested by a simultaneous generalization of the statistical procedures of cluster analysis and stagewise regression. An example is interpreted in the nested network framework, illustrating the applicability of the model to empirical situations.     

THE CLIENT'S INTERVIEW OF THE THERAPIST

This paper presents a framework for thinking about interactions between client and therapist systems in terms of the participants' personal explanatory systems and models of reality. The therapist's contribution to forming structures throughout the therapy is examined. The elements of a covert interview of the therapist performed by the client system are described. A model is presented for training therapists to think systemically about client/therapist fit in the context of the client's interview. A case presentation illustrates the value of the interview.     

Bespoke program design for school-aged therapy disability service delivery

This article uses the evaluation of a school-aged therapy service for children with disabilities in Western Australia to investigate models of service delivery. The current literature on family-centered practice, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches, and 4 models of service are reviewed. The models include the life needs model, the relational goal-orientated model of optimal service delivery to children and families, the quality of life model, and the collaborative model of service delivery. Analysis of the data is presented together with a bespoke model of service delivery for children with disabilities, arguing that local contexts benefit from custom-made service design.     

Managing and Adapting Practice: A System for Applying Evidence in Clinical Care with Youth and Families

Concerns about the gap between service quality in mental health systems and the growing literature on scientifically tested treatment approaches has led to multiple policy and practice initiatives calling for greater use of empirically supported interventions (ESIs) in children’s mental health systems. Despite the demonstrated efficacy of these approaches, some concerns remain about the current suitability of ESIs as a single strategy for improving service system quality. Issues raised include (a) the appropriateness of some interventions for individualized care or adaptation in response to emergent events, and (b) the ability for ESIs collectively to yield a comprehensive service array for youth and families. The current paper thus outlines one strategy to complement and extend that work, through a system for organizing and coordinating currently available ESIs as well as for building and adjusting individualized, evidence-informed plans when needed, using dedicated tools to inform treatment design, adaptation, and evaluation in real time. A case example is presented, and implications for treatment and research are discussed.     

A Systems Model of Family for Family Therapists*

A family model that provides a classification system for family therapists is presented, based on an integration of family systems research in healthy and disturbed families and clinical data. The model provides tools for cross-sectional, process-oriented family assessment derived from consideration of family competence in task performance and family operating style. Seven family types result-optimal, adequate, midrange centripetal, midrange centrifugal, midrange mixed, severely dysfunctional centripetal and severely dysfunctional centrifugal. Identifying characteristics of each type are provided, and intervention strategies and approaches are discussed that follow logically from the assessment.     

Family System Adjustment and Adaptive Reconstruction of Social Reality among the 1995 Earthquake Survivors

Abstract  The 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji earthquake resulted in immense imbalances among and within natural ecosystems, the built environment, and human systems. The current study examined the relationship among familial adjustment, adaptive construction of social reality, and recovery of built environment. A random sample mail survey was conducted on 3,300 earthquake victims and 993 questionnaires were returned. The survey questionnaire included the following four scales that measured the family system adjustment on family cohesion and adaptability, the adaptive construction of new reality as evidenced by citizenship orientations, the current level of physical and psychological stress, and a subjective evaluation of life recovery. The results were as follows: (1) Those families that exhibited high cohesion and a clear leadership structure in the emergency period were more functional than others. (2) Those families that reported a balanced level of cohesion and adaptability during the recovery period were the most functional in promoting present individual recovery and in alleviating current stress. (3) The rise of civic-mindedness was observed among those who survived the disaster. (4) Those with high civic-mindedness tend to be better recovered with less current physical and psychological stress. This paper presented a human ecological model that described the relationships among five components: (1) the earthquake hazard, (2) built environment conditions such as disruption of the lifeline and its recovery, (3) opportunity costs for engaging in exchanges with either basic-trust-based ties or social-trust-based ties, (4) the optimal family system adjustment to corresponding exchange relations, and (5) adaptive construction of new social reality.     

Do developing economies require creative industries? Some old theory about new China

This paper argues that media and communications theory, as with cultural and creative industries analysis, can benefit from a deeper understanding of economic growth theory. Economic growth theory is elucidated in the context of both cultural and media studies and with respect to modern Chinese economic development. Economic growth is a complex evolutionary process that is tightly integrated with socio‐cultural and political processes. This paper seeks to explore this mechanism and to advance cultural theory from an erstwhile political‐economy perspective to one centred about the co‐evolutionary dynamics of economic and socio‐political systems. A generic model is presented in which economic and social systems co‐evolve through the origination, adoption and retention of new ideas, and in which the creative industries are a key part of this process. The paper concludes that digital media capabilities are a primary source of economic development.     

The McMaster Model of Family Functioning

The model of family functioning being presented is the product of over twenty years of research in clinical work with family units. A method of family therapy has been developed based upon this model and will be described in a future issue. The model utilizes a general systems theory approach in an attempt to describe the structure, organization, and transactional patterns of the family unit. It allows examination of families along the total spectrum ranging from healthy to severely pathological in their functioning. It is based upon a Judaeo-Christian value set, and allows attention to be paid to cultural differences and other issues of cultural relativity .     

Feminism and Family Social Work

The intent of this paper is to explore the applicability of a feminist model for clinical social work mactice with couples and families. A brief overview of the literature relating to feminism social work is presented in preparation for the examination of clinical issues. The feminist critique of traditional family systems theory is summarized and other areas of concern in clinical work with couples and families are explored including family theory and healthy family functioning. A brief overview of feminist family therapy practice literature is provided along with a summarization of training recommendations.     

A model of impacts of research partnerships in health and social services

Alliances have long been an important strategy for health promotion and community development. They are now becoming an important approach to generating research that is thought to have real-world relevance and easy applicability because of the involvement of community members. A comprehensive, dynamic model of community impacts of research partnerships in social or health services is presented. This process-oriented, systems model outlines three major domains of mid-term impact (Enhanced Knowledge, Enhanced Research Skills, and Use of Information) that correspond to the core functions of collaborative research partnerships discussed in the literature (i.e. knowledge generation, research education and training, and knowledge sharing). The model will assist research partners, intended recipients, and funders to understand and evaluate the real-world impacts of community–university research partnerships. The model provides research partnerships with a tool to demonstrate their accountability and to improve their operations and impacts, and evaluators with a tool to guide planning and evaluation efforts.     

Mitchell's Relational Conflict Model: An Analysis of Its Usefulness in Clinical Social Work

This article examines the relational conflict model developed by Stephen A. Mitchell. The main concepts of Mitchell's relational conflict model are discussed, particularly early patterns of connection to parental figures and the interactive treatment approach to understanding and changing those relational patterns. The model is contrasted with classical drive and developmental arrest theories in the psychodynamic treatment of psychopathology. We explain how Mitchell's model, in keeping with a social work perspective, takes into consideration the social, cultural, and environmental factors as well as the intrapsychic. We discuss how patterns of relating are reworked throughout the life course, and we explore the potential for individual agency in constructing new patterns of relating. We also highlight the social constructivist aspects of Mitchell's approach which are congruent with current contemporary trends in social work theory. A case vignette is presented to illustrate the viability of this model for clinical social work practice.     

Towards an Understanding of Factors Influencing Early Years Professionals’ Practice of Consultation with Young Children

Recent Government agendas in England highlight a need to involve children in policy and service design, provision and evaluation of services they use or which affect them. While consultation with older children has become more common, this is not the case for younger children. This article reports on a study exploring the current practice and experiences, perceptions and views of a sample of early years professionals with regard to consultation with young children. A theoretical model is presented which suggests that the different factors that influence whether or not practitioners consult with young children are connected and interrelated. Policy implications are also discussed.     

Post hoc procedures for planning and evaluation.

A model designed to isolate, in post hoc fashion, current program services is presented. Concepts from multidimensional scaling are united with program planning techniques to yield an approach which allows for the specification of the five basic dimensions of program (Clients, Problems, Services, Professionals, and Facilities). These five dimensions are also employed in priority setting procedures. Discussion of the application of the model in the field of program planning and evaluation is presented.     

Intervening in the School-Family-Clinic Triangle*

Ideas from family therapy have recently been applied to school and learning problems. A systems view has been advocated rather than the more traditional individual one long used by teachers, parents and school psychologists. This paper describes a model that enables school problems to be formulated systematically and details the implications of this model for designing interventions. A new project in Perth that combines simultaneous interventions in family, social and educational systems is described and its work is illustrated with a case example.     

Family-based approach to the child welfare system: an integration of Bowen family theory concepts

The purpose of this article is to apply Bowen family systems theory to work with families involved in the child welfare system. An overview of family systems theory is provided, and then specific tenets of Bowen family systems theory are presented. The authors highlight incidents within the child welfare setting that can be conceptualized through Bowen family therapy terms and concepts. A case study is used to highlight how this theory could be applied in practice. Furthermore, recommendations for child welfare practice and policy implications are discussed, utilizing the lens of a Bowenian family systems approach.     

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis of Home Environment and Home Social Behavior Data from the Elementary School Success Profile for Families

The purpose of the current study was to test the factor structure and scale quality of data provided by caregivers about the home environment and child behavior at home using the Elementary School Success Profile (ESSP) for Families. The ESSP for Families is one component of the ESSP, an online social-environmental assessment that also collects information from students and teachers. Confirmatory factor analyses with Mplus and weighted least squares means and variances adjusted estimation took into account the hierarchical nature and ordinal level of the data. The sample comprised caregivers of 692 third- through fifth-grade students from 13 elementary schools in four districts. A primary model and an alternative model were tested. Models were tested on a random calibration sample and validated with another sample. A nine-factor first-order solution demonstrated superior fit to the data. Scores from the nine scales also demonstrated acceptable internal consistency reliability. Implications for practice and further research are presented.