Skip to main content
Log in

Family therapy of school-focused problems: A macrosystemic perspective

  • Published:
Contemporary Family Therapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aponte, H. J. (1976). The family-school interview: A eco-structural approach.Family Process, 15, 303–311.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bateson, G. (1972).Steps to an ecology of mind. New York: Ballentine.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowen, M. (1978).Family therapy in clinical practice. New York: Jason Aronson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowman, P., & Goldberg, M. (1983). “Reframing:” A tool for the school psychologist.Psychology in the Schools, 20, 210–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brookover, W., Beady, C., Flood, P., Schweitzer, J., & Wisenbaker, J. (1979).School social systems and student achievement. New York: Prager.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carl, D., & Jurkovic, G. J. (1983). Agency triangles: Problems in agency-family relationships.Family Process, 22, 441–451.

    Google Scholar 

  • Comphor, J. V. (1982). Parent-school-child systems: Triadic assessment and intervention.Social Casework, 63, 415–423.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haley, J. (1976).Problem-solving therapy. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Haley, J. (1980).Leaving home. New York: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman, L. (1981).Foundations of family therapy. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsia, H. (1984). Structural and strategic approach to school phobia/school refusal.Psychology in the Schools, 21, 360–367.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lusterman, D. D. (1985). An ecosystemic approach to family-school problems.American Journal of Family Therapy, 13(1), 22–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGoldrick, M. (1982). Irish families. In M. McGoldrick, J. K. Pearce, & J. Giordano (Eds.),Ethnicity and family therapy (pp. 310–339). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGoldrick, M. & Pearce, J. K. (1981). Family therapy with Irish-Americans.Family Process, 21, 223–241.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyers, J. (1981). Mental health consultation. In J. C. Conoley (Ed.),Consultation in schools: Theory, research, proceedures (pp. 35–58). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minuchin, S. (1974).Families and family therapy. Cambridge, MA: Harvard.

    Google Scholar 

  • Minuchin, S., Rosman, B. L., & Baker, L. (1978).Psychomatic families: Anorexia nervosa in context. Cambridge, MA: Harvard.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • 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.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, A. H. (1978). Encountering the family in school-related behavior problems.Psychology in the Schools, 15, 379–386.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stanton, M. D., Todd, T. C., & Associates. (1982).The family therapy of drug abuse and addiction. New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tucker, B. Z., & Dyson, E. (1975). The family and the school: Utilizing human resources to promote learning.Family Process, 15, 125–141.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watzlawick, P., Weakland, J. H., & Fisch, R. (1974).Change: Principles of problem formation and problem resolution. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Williams, J. M., & Weeks, G. R. (1984). Use of paradoxical techniques in a school setting.American Journal of Family Therapy, 12(3), 47–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuk, G. H. (1966). The go-between process in family therapy.Family Process, 5, 162–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zuk, G. H. (1975).Process and practice in family therapy. Haverford, PA: Psychiatry and Behavior Science Books.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints 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

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00902948

Keywords

Navigation