Abstract
School-focused problems present an interesting challenge to family therapists in that they take place in a system outside of the family. Treating the family without including the school often leads to a poor outcome. This article presents a macrosystemic model of treatment which views the family and school as an interacting system that maintains the ongoing problem. The therapist intervenes in this larger system by separately treating the family and school, then rejoining them to create a more functional working relationship.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aponte, H. J. (1976). The family-school interview: A eco-structural approach.Family Process, 15, 303–311.
Bateson, G. (1972).Steps to an ecology of mind. New York: Ballentine.
Boulding, K. E. (1968). General systems theory-The skeleton of science. In W. Buckley (Ed.),Modern systems research for the behavioral scientist (pp. 3–10). Chicago: Aldine.
Bowen, M. (1978).Family therapy in clinical practice. New York: Jason Aronson.
Bowman, P., & Goldberg, M. (1983). “Reframing:” A tool for the school psychologist.Psychology in the Schools, 20, 210–214.
Brookover, W., Beady, C., Flood, P., Schweitzer, J., & Wisenbaker, J. (1979).School social systems and student achievement. New York: Prager.
Carl, D., & Jurkovic, G. J. (1983). Agency triangles: Problems in agency-family relationships.Family Process, 22, 441–451.
Comphor, J. V. (1982). Parent-school-child systems: Triadic assessment and intervention.Social Casework, 63, 415–423.
DiCocco, B. E. (in press). A guide to family/school interventions for the family therapist.Contemporary Family Therapy: An International Journal, 8, 50–61.
Green, K., & Fine, M. J. (1980). Family therapy: A case for training for school psychologists.Psychology in the Schools, 17, 241–248.
Haley, J. (1976).Problem-solving therapy. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Haley, J. (1980).Leaving home. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Herz, F. M., & Rosen, E. J. (1982). Jewish families. In M. McGoldrick, J. K. Pearce, & J. Giordano (Eds.),Ethnicity and family therapy (pp. 364–392). New York: Guilford.
Hines, P. M., & Boyd-Franklin, N. (1982). Black families. In M. McGoldrick, J. K. Pearce, & J. Giordano (Eds.),Ethnicity and family therapy (pp. 84–107). New York: Guilford.
Hoffman, L. (1981).Foundations of family therapy. New York: Basic Books.
Hsia, H. (1984). Structural and strategic approach to school phobia/school refusal.Psychology in the Schools, 21, 360–367.
Lusterman, D. D. (1985). An ecosystemic approach to family-school problems.American Journal of Family Therapy, 13(1), 22–30.
McGoldrick, M. (1982). Irish families. In M. McGoldrick, J. K. Pearce, & J. Giordano (Eds.),Ethnicity and family therapy (pp. 310–339). New York: Guilford.
McGoldrick, M. & Pearce, J. K. (1981). Family therapy with Irish-Americans.Family Process, 21, 223–241.
Meyers, J. (1981). Mental health consultation. In J. C. Conoley (Ed.),Consultation in schools: Theory, research, proceedures (pp. 35–58). New York: Academic Press.
Minuchin, S. (1974).Families and family therapy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard.
Minuchin, S., Rosman, B. L., & Baker, L. (1978).Psychomatic families: Anorexia nervosa in context. Cambridge, MA: Harvard.
Schwartzman, H. B., & Kneifel, A. W. (1985). Familiar institutions: How the child care system replicates family patterns. In J. Schwartzman (Ed.),Families and other systems: The macrosystemic context of family therapy (pp. 87–107). New York: Guilford.
Schwartzman, J. (1985). Macrosystemic approaches to family therapy: An overview. In J. Schwartzman (Ed.),Families and other systems: The macrosystemic context of family therapy (pp. 1–24). New York: Guilford.
Selvini-Palazzoli, M., Boscolo, L., Cecchin, G., & Prata, G. (1980). The problem of the referring person.Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 6, 1–9.
Smith, A. H. (1978). Encountering the family in school-related behavior problems.Psychology in the Schools, 15, 379–386.
Stanton, M. D., Todd, T. C., & Associates. (1982).The family therapy of drug abuse and addiction. New York: Guilford.
Tucker, B. Z., & Dyson, E. (1975). The family and the school: Utilizing human resources to promote learning.Family Process, 15, 125–141.
Watzlawick, P., Weakland, J. H., & Fisch, R. (1974).Change: Principles of problem formation and problem resolution. New York: Norton.
Williams, J. M., & Weeks, G. R. (1984). Use of paradoxical techniques in a school setting.American Journal of Family Therapy, 12(3), 47–57.
Zuk, G. H. (1966). The go-between process in family therapy.Family Process, 5, 162–178.
Zuk, G. H. (1975).Process and practice in family therapy. Haverford, PA: Psychiatry and Behavior Science Books.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wetchler, J.L. Family therapy of school-focused problems: A macrosystemic perspective. Contemp Fam Ther 8, 224–240 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00902948
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00902948