Hispanic Family Assesment Paper
Abstract
In this paper the theories of multigenerational family therapy and structural family therapy are applied to the Melendez family. Beginning with the biography of the Hispanic family, assessment of the strengths and vulnerabilities of the family, stage of the family life cycle, cultural elements that impact the family and explanation of the types and qualities of relationships depicted in the Melendez genogram and ecomap the foundation for therapeutic goals and interventions are set. Goals and interventions based on the multigenerational family therapy theory are theoretically applied with the goal of the family to recognize emotional patterns to decrease anxiety. The Structural Theory application will focus on the presenting problem and the nature of the family. The Hispanic family assessment will conclude with a personal and professional critical reflection of Latino multicultural practice application.
Keywords: Hispanic, Multigenerational Family Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, Bowen, Minuchin
The Hispanic culture is strong in its values, traditions with a unique identity. Selyna Melendez shared with me the details and insight to her family that allowed me to gain a perspective into her cultural identity and family structure. With the Multigenerational therapy model in mind my approach “operates on the premise that a family can best be understood when analyzed from at least a three generation perspective” (Bitter, 2009). Gathering information about Selyna’s family background is essential to forming ideas about the family’s emotional process, which concurrently will provide information to the nuclear family’s systematic problems (Brown, 1999). Selyna is a thirty eight year old woman who culturally identifies herself as Mexican American. Her mother and father Manuel and Maria Armendariz have been married for fifty years. Selyna is the youngest of four children. Selyna has two older brothers Santiago and Sergio and an older sister Stephanie. Selyna is
In this paper the theories of multigenerational family therapy and structural family therapy are applied to the Melendez family. Beginning with the biography of the Hispanic family, assessment of the strengths and vulnerabilities of the family, stage of the family life cycle, cultural elements that impact the family and explanation of the types and qualities of relationships depicted in the Melendez genogram and ecomap the foundation for therapeutic goals and interventions are set. Goals and interventions based on the multigenerational family therapy theory are theoretically applied with the goal of the family to recognize emotional patterns to decrease anxiety. The Structural Theory application will focus on the presenting problem and the nature of the family. The Hispanic family assessment will conclude with a personal and professional critical reflection of Latino multicultural practice application.
Keywords: Hispanic, Multigenerational Family Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, Bowen, Minuchin
The Hispanic culture is strong in its values, traditions with a unique identity. Selyna Melendez shared with me the details and insight to her family that allowed me to gain a perspective into her cultural identity and family structure. With the Multigenerational therapy model in mind my approach “operates on the premise that a family can best be understood when analyzed from at least a three generation perspective” (Bitter, 2009). Gathering information about Selyna’s family background is essential to forming ideas about the family’s emotional process, which concurrently will provide information to the nuclear family’s systematic problems (Brown, 1999). Selyna is a thirty eight year old woman who culturally identifies herself as Mexican American. Her mother and father Manuel and Maria Armendariz have been married for fifty years. Selyna is the youngest of four children. Selyna has two older brothers Santiago and Sergio and an older sister Stephanie. Selyna is
References: Bitter, J.R. (2009). Theory and practice of family therapy and counseling. New York.NY: Brooks/Cole Brown, Jenny (2009). Bowen Family Systems Theory and Practice: Illustration and Critique, Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 20(2), 94-103 Retrieved Cabellero, Enrique (2011). Understanding the Hispanic Latino Patient. The American Journal Of Medicine, 124 (10), 510-515 Rivera, F. & Guainaccia, P. (2008). Family cohesion and its relationship to psychological stress among Latino groups. Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Science, 30(3), 357-376. McGoldrick, M., Giordano, J., & Garcia-Preto, N. (2005). Ethnicity and family therapy. New York, NY: Guilford Press. Seipel, A., and Way. I, (2009). Culturally Competent social work practice with Latino clients. The New Social Worker Online, (20)13. Wycoff, S., & Cameron, S. C. (2000). The Garcia family: Using a structural systems approach with an alcohol-dependant family. Family Journal, 8(1), 47-57. Appendix One Interview Questions: