Structural Family Theory

Salvador Minuchin’s structural family theory is a systems theory upholding that therapy must address the person as a part of the family, versus just looking at the individual. We better understand Minuchin’s theory when it is framed within the principles of Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s general systems theory, the premise on which all other systems theories are based. He says, like Minuchin, it is more therapeutically beneficial to look at the relationships between people rather than focusing on the individual’s psychology. This is to say that the pathology we seek to resolve as mental health professionals is not the person, but the relationship. Minchin followed Bertalanffy’s ideas about rules and boundaries and accepted the concept of circular causality; where conflict or events in systems have no definitive starting point. Goldenberg & Goldenberg (2012) say this is an important concept that moves relationships forward in development rather than placing blame. To grow and develop is to avoid the tendency of a system to have homeostasis, where patterns of interaction continue in the same way. Ultimately, systems theories help families move from closed and rigid systems to open systems where roles and boundaries are flexible enough to change and grow but strong enough to keep order.
Ruiz (2009) writes that Minuchin’s theory has three main components: family structure, family subsystems, and family boundaries.
These work together to create rules and patters of interaction that become automatic and accepted by the individuals of the family. Minuchin believes subconsciously abiding by family rules allows for daily functioning, but these rules should be challenged and brought to conscious levels in therapy. Erford (2014) observes that in structural family theory “dysfunction results from faulty organization” (p. 147). In order to resolve dysfunction families must consciously remake the rules they have about the structures and boundaries they have
established.
Family structure looks at the rules of interactions, hierarchies, and boundary permeability. Understanding this element of the family dynamic we find out who, if anyone, is in charge of the family and how open the family system is to change. We also see transaction patterns and “operational rules” (p. 277) members follow in order to communicate. Goldenberg & Goldenberg (2012) observes that parents must work together to make a healthy family structure through understanding complimentary roles. This is to say parents and children are assigned roles like loving mother/strict father that work in tandem to create balance; these roles must also be accepted by all members of the family for there to be harmony in their relationships.
Subsystems operate in structural family theory as the smaller groups within the family and follow their own rules, they regulate how much contact one group has with another and aid in establishing boundaries. These boundaries are healthiest when they are semi-permeable, allowing for openness and privacy. Goldenberg & Goldenberg (2012) say Minuchin encourages a keen clinical awareness of the parental/spousal subsystem to better the entire system. Other subsystems might divide based on sibling birth order or gender. In therapy we also look for alignments (or alliances), positions of power, and coalitions that rival one another to understand the interrelation protocol of family members.
Navarre (1998) suggests that structural family therapy is an effective method of counseling in multicultural settings. Her position stem from Minuchin’s proposal that families need to have complimentary roles and hierarchies to guide member interaction. Conversely, feminist viewpoints would challenge restructuring families to align with a cultural norm. Thus, Navarre is specific in placing importance on uniqueness but sustains that typical masculine and feminine roles help create order in the family. She uses structural theory to propose acknowledgment of traditional matriarch or patriarchic roles, defining the roles of the eldest child, and identifying what is expected of a system’s members is therapeutic.