Name of Concept
Disengagement in Couples and Families
Introduction
Disengagement is one of the classifications and dimensions of boundaries and connectedness in a couple or family, and it is exhibited by low connectedness and high autonomy within the system (Olson et al. 1979).
Theoretical Context for Concept
In structural family therapy, Salvador Minuchin classified family boundaries on a continuum from disengaged or inappropriately rigid boundaries to enmeshed or diffuse boundaries (Minuchin 1974). David Olson then adapted Minuchin’s classification of boundaries to create a perspective used in assessing and intervening with couple and family systems based on how they interact with one another. The Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems separates family interactions into three dimensions: family cohesion, flexibility, and communication. Disengagement is rooted in the first dimension – family cohesion or togetherness – which is defined as “the emotional bonding that family...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Minuchin, S. (1974). Families and family therapy. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Nichols, M. P., & Davis, S. D. (2017). Family therapy: Concepts and methods. Boston: Pearson.
Olson, D. H. (2000). Circumplex model of marital and family systems. Journal of Family Therapy, 22(2), 144–167.
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(1), 3–28.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Section Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this entry
Cite this entry
Wilensky, E., Fisher, A.R. (2019). Disengagement in Couples and Families. In: Lebow, J.L., Chambers, A.L., Breunlin, D.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_1138
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_1138
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-49423-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-49425-8
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences