Family Systems

Abstract

Recurring clinical observations of the family’s negative impact on the process and outcome of child psychotherapy led to the development of a family therapy model proposing that ongoing family interactions are the major determinant of a child’s behavior. The widespread acceptance of this model is reflected in the recent explosion in the number of conferences and publications on marital and family therapy (Gurman & Kniskern, 1978). The growth in the field is also reflected in the increasing number of research investigations of the relationship between childhood behavior problems and family interaction patterns. Unfortunately, much of this research has not been tied to specific family theories (Olson, 1970).