Introduction
A genogram entails a graphical display of interpersonal relationships and interactions between individuals belonging to the same family (Genopro, 2011). Accordingly, besides a genogram representing the well-known family tree, it also allows therapists to analyze different psychological and hereditary patterns that underlie various behaviors and relationships within the family. Of particular interest, in this case, is the role played by the family genogram in forming the basis for therapeutic interventions since most therapists prefer understanding the family history and various psychological and hereditary patterns within the patient’s family before recommending any treatment or intervention option (Genopro, 2011).
On the other hand, some theorists note that through the graphical representations that form the basis of the genogram, a family genogram can be regarded as a system of roles played by family members, which vary from one cultural orientation to another. Moreover, individual roles form the core of various behavioral patterns and relationships, which are inheritable and/or adaptable from generation to generation (Tseng & Xu, 1991, p. 1).
The family as a system of roles
In the long run, the family systems theory underlies about eight interconnected concepts, which purport to highlight the source of different conflicts and other emotional problems within the family. These concepts include the family triangles (as the smallest and most stable relationship systems), the differentiation of self, the nuclear family emotional system, the family projection process, the multigenerational transmission process, emotional cutoff, sibling position, and finally the societal emotional process. These concepts form the basis of discussions aimed at justifying the existence of conflicts within the family, and some behaviors such as alcoholism, which in some cases are handed down from one family level to another (Tseng & Xu, 1991, p. 5).
Cultural variations of family systems
From the foregoing discussions, it is obvious that the family is a system of roles, which inform the activities and behavioral patterns of each family member in order to create a family equilibrium. Conversely, studies note that culture is a system of values, beliefs, and patterns of lifestyles shared by a certain group of people. Therefore, it should be expected that there are countless cultural systems in the world today. Furthermore, it is obvious that family systems vary from culture to culture because different family systems and functions display different socio-cultural experiences, and thus it should be expected that my family conflicts and problems will differ from others. Moreover, considering that the family forms the core of the socio-cultural system for culture transmission from generation to generation, there is evidence to suggest that the family provides the cultural resources for individual growth and social support systems, which seem to differ from culture to culture (Tseng & Xu, 1991, pp. 1-10).
As a result, most scholars including therapists have documented evidence of cultural variations in family systems through considering task performance, hierarchical patterns, family system boundaries, family leadership patterns, affectivity, role patterns, communication patterns, and interaction patterns in different socio-cultural settings. Here, the distinction between family systems has been squarely based on marriage forms, post-marriage residence choices, descent systems, and the household structures, which form the main points of variation between family systems from one cultural orientation to another. Overall, most scholars and therapists have recorded evidence of approximately 1000 socio-cultural family systems in the world to date. As expected, these family systems vary from one another in one or two of the parameters highlighted above (Tseng & Xu, 1991, p. 5-10).
The Family system therapy
As noted earlier, therapeutic interventions designed for substance-abusing adolescents within the family system should begin with understanding the emotional and psychological system that defines the family as a whole (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 1993). Here, studies note that the family genogram should form the basis for screening, assessment, and referral for adolescents with a history of substance abuse. Accordingly, the genogram as the primary assessment tool gives the counselor the opportunity to analyze and reveal psychological and emotional patterns within the family such as triangulation, family strengths, individual strengths, and family dysfunctions (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 1999). Subsequently, the counselor should screen for substance abuse among the adolescents on the basis of the impact substance abuse has on the family dynamics including issues related to substance abuse such as emotional abuse, physical illnesses, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. Further, the counselor should seek to determine the role played by related family systems (neighbors and close relatives), schools, and workplaces in the adolescent’s family dynamics.
Overall, both healthcare providers and family health counselors recommend that family-based interventions should incorporate psycho-education, the creation of multifamily groups, and promoting intra-family relationships to help substance-abusing adolescents achieve abstinence (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 1993). Moreover, surveying and exploring the client family system’s motivations and strategies in helping their adolescent members to recover or stay away from substance abuse should also be considered as part of the therapeutic interventions. Subsequently, to increase the positive influence of the family members in helping the adolescents, the counselor should seek to help family members to maintain the positive aspects of family relationships, and to view family problems and conflicts as affecting the whole family rather than individuals. It is also important to involve the family members in identifying various projects, which can help the whole family to build on the existing strengths and seek appropriate strengths to address the substance abuse dynamics among the family adolescents. Finally, it is important for the family counselors to identify the cultural values, beliefs, and patterns of lifestyles that can help the client family to develop new strengths aimed at addressing the problem at hand (Coombs, 2005, pp. 18-20).
Conclusions
Substance abuse among adolescents is a problem facing many societies currently. As a result, different people assume that this problem affects only those individuals involved in substance abuse. However, from the foregoing discussions, analysis of the family genogram and the view that the family is a system of roles, represent enough evidence to show that substance abuse affects the whole family. As noted from the discussions, individual members within the family system assume certain specific roles, which govern their conduct and behavioral orientations as outlined in the values, beliefs, and lifestyle patterns of a particular socio-cultural setup. As a result, when one or two family members engage in substance abuse, the family balance is offset, and chances are high that all family members will be affected in various ways. To this end, the foregoing discussions show that understanding the family dynamics through analyzing the family genogram forms the basis for designing effective therapeutic interventions aimed at helping substance-abusing adolescents achieve abstinence.
References
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (1993). Chapter 3, Approaches to therapy.
Rockville, MD: U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Web.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (1999). Substance abuse treatment and family therapy: Treatment improvement protocols (TIP). Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Web.
Coombs, R.H. (2005). Family therapy review: Preparing for comprehensive and licensing examinations. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
Genopro. (2011). Family systems theory. Web.
Tseng, W. & Xu, J. (1991). Culture and family: Problems and therapy. New York: The Haworth Press, Inc.