Abstract
Concepts from family systems theory are used to facilitate understanding of the needs of families coping with the spinal cord injury of an adolescent. Five assumptions derived from systemic principles are discussed as related to assessment and family functioning. Related suggestions are given for assisting parents in dealing with this non-normative stressor and its long-range effects on the adolescent and family.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andrews, M.P., Bubolz, M.M., & Paolucci, B. (1980). An ecological approach to study of the family.Marriage & Family Review, 3(1/2), 29–49.
Bertalanffy, L. von, (1968).General systems theory (revised ed.) New York: George Braziller.
Bowen, M. (1966). The use of family theory in clinical practice.Comprehensive Psychiatry, 7, 345–374.
Bristor, M.W. (1984). The birth of a handicapped child-a holistic model for grieving.Family Relations, 33, 25–32.
Broderick, C.B. (1985).Toward a general model of family process: A working paper. Paper presented at the National Council on family Relations Theory Construction and Methodology Workshop. Dallas, Texas.
Broderick, C.B. (1990). Family process theory (p. 171–206). In J. Sprey (Ed.),Fashioning family theory: New approaches. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979).The ecology of human development. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Brown, B.W., & McCormick, T. (1988). Family coping following traumatic head injury: An exploratory analysis with recommendations for treatment.Family Relations, 37, 12–16.
Bubolz, M.M., & Whiren, A.P. (1984). The family of the handicapped: An ecological model for policy and practice.Family Relations, 33 5–12.
Buckley, W. (1967).Sociology and modern system theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Constantine, L.L. (1986).Family paradigms: The practice of theory in family therapy. NY: Guilford Press.
Constantine, L.L. (1987). Adolescent process and family organization: A model of development as a function of family paradigm.Journal of Adolescent Research, 2, 349–366.
Constantine, L.L. (1988).The geometry of family theory: Dimensional relationships in family typology. Paper presented at the NCFR Theory Construction and Research Methodology Workshop, Philadelphia, PA.
Duhl, F.S., Kantor, D. & Duhl, B.S. (1973). Learning, space and action in family therapy. In D. Block (Ed.),Techniques of family psychotherapy. NY: Grune & Stratton.
Fortier, L.M., & Wanlass, R.L. (1984). Family crisis following the diagnosis of a handicapped child.Family Relations, 33, 13–24.
Girdner, L.K., & Eheart, B.K. (1984). Mediation with families having a handicapped child.Family Relations, 33, 187–194.
Haley, J. (1973).Uncommon therapy. Toronto: Norten.
Haley, J. (1980).Leaving home. NY: McGraw-Hill.
Hansen, D.A., & Hill, R. (1964). Families under stress. In H.T. Christensen (Ed.),Handbook of marriage and the family. Chicago: Rand McNally.
Jackson, D.D. (1965). The study of the family.Family Process, 4, 1–20.
Kantor, D., & Lehr, W. (1975).Inside the family. San Francisco: Jossey-Boss.
Kazak, A.E., & Marvin, R.S. (1984). Differences, difficulties and adaptation: Stress and social networks in families with a handicapped child.Family Relations, 33, 67–77.
McCubbin, H.I. (1979). Integrating, coping behavior in family stress theory.Journal of marriage and the family, 41, 237–244.
McCubbin, H., McCubbin, M., Cauble, A., & Nevin, R. (1979).CHIP—Coping Health Inventory for Parents. St. Paul: University of Minnesota.
McCubbin, H.I., & Patterson, J.M. (1981).Family stress and adaptation to crises: A double ABCX model of family behavior. Paper presented at the Theory Construction and Methodology Workshop, Annual Meeting of the National Council on Family Relations. Milwaukee, WI.
McCubbin, H.I., Patterson, J.M., Bauman, E., & Harris, L. (1981). Adolescent-Family Inventory of life events and changes (A-FILE). In H. McCubbin & A. Thompson (Eds.) (1987)Family assessment for research and practice. Madison: University of Wisconsin, Madison Press.
McCubbin, H., Patterson, J., & Wilson, (1981).FILE—Family Inventory of Life Events and Changes. St. Paul: University of Minnesota.
Miller, J.G. (1969). Living systems: Basic concepts. In W. Gray, F.J. Duhl, & N.D. Rizzo (Eds.),General systems theory and psychiatry (pp. 51–133) Boston: Little Brown Co.
National Institutes of Health, (1981).Spinal cord injury: Hope through, research. (NIH Publication No. 81-160). Bethesda, Maryland: U.S. Government Printing Office.
O'Hara, D.M., Chaiklin, H., & Mosher, B.S. (1980). A family life cycle plan for delivering services to the developmentally handicapped.Child Welfare, 59, (2), 80–90.
Olson, D.H. (1986). Circumplex Model VII: Validation studies and FACES III.Family Process, 25, 337–351.
Olson, D.H., Russell, C.S., & Sprenkle, D.H. (1983). Circumplex model of marital and family systems: VI. Theoretical update.Family Process, 22, 69–83.
Olson, D.H., Sprenkle, D.H., & Russell, C.S. (1979). Circumplex model of marital and family systems: I. Cohesion and adaptability dimensions, family types, and clinical applications.Family Process, 18, 3–28.
Paolucci, B., Hall, O.A., & Axinn, N.W. (1977).Family decision making: An ecosystem approach. NY: John Wiley.
Roessler, R., & Bolton, B. (1978).Psychosocial adjustment to disability. Baltimore: University Park Press.
Schneider, J. (1984).Stress loss and grief: Understanding their origins and growth potential. Baltimore: University Park Press.
Scoresby, A.L. (1977).The marriage dialogue. Reading, MA Addison-Wesley.
Shulman, S., & Klein, M.N. (1983). Psychologica differentiation self concept, and object relations of adolescents as a function of family consensual types.Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 171, 734–741.
Sprenkle, D.H. (1990). Editorial: Continuity and change.Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 16, 337–340.
University of Alabama Statistical Center (1987).
Vines, D.W. (1986). Regrieving in parents and disabled adolescents.Dissertation Abstracts International, 1986,46, 3878A-3879A.
Watzlawick, P., Beavon, J.H., & Jackson, D.D. (1967).Pragmatics of human communication. NY: Norton.
Wynne, L.C. (1984). The epigenesis of relational systems: A model for understanding family development.Family Process, 23, 297–318.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Murray, C.I., Sullivan, A.M., Brophy, D.R. et al. Working with parents of spinal cord injured adolescents: A family systems perspective. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 8, 225–238 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00756093
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00756093