Skip to main content

Systemic and Ecological Qualities of Families

  • Chapter
Handbook of Marriage and the Family

Abstract

Systems theory and its offspring family systems theory have evolved and matured over the course of some 4 decades. The developmental history of family systems theory has been rich. If a theory is judged by its utility, or as Kuhn (1962) proposed, by the number of adherents it wins in the scientific community, then family systems theory has accomplished much. It has informed theorists, researchers, educators, and clinical practitioners from a variety of disciplines including education (Eppler & Weir, 2009), nursing (Bell, 2009), social work (Dunst & Trivette, 2009), psychiatry (Schweitzer, Zwack, Weber, Nicolai, & Hirschenberger, 2007), medicine (Steinglass, 2006), public health (Novilla, Barnes, De La Cruz, Williams, & Rogers, 2006), religion (Richardson, 2005), and marriage and family therapy (Bartle-Haring & Slesnick, 2012).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adler, H. M. (2007). Toward a biopsychosocial understanding of the patient-physician relationship: An emerging dialogue. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 22, 280–285.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aldous, J. (1970). Strategies for developing family theory. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 32, 250–257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aldous, J. (1978). Family careers: Developmental change in families. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, K. R. (2001). Feminist visions for transforming families: Desire and equality then and now. Journal of Family Issues, 22, 791–809.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, H. (2003). Postmodern social construction therapies. In T. L. Sexton, G. R. Weeks, & M. S. Robbins (Eds.), Handbook of family therapy. New York: Brunner-Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, S. A. (2001). Clinical evaluation of violence in couples: The role of assessment instruments. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 12(1), 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, S. A., & Sabatelli, R. M. (2007). Family interaction: A multigenerational developmental perspective (4th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, S. A., Sabatelli, R. M., & Kosutic, I. (2007). Families, urban neighborhood youth centers, and peers as contexts for development. Family Relations, 56, 346–357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, S. A., & Schlossberg, M. (1999). Systems perspectives on wife battering: The importance of pattern and context. In M. Harway & J. O’Neil (Eds.), What causes men’s violence against women? Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Avis, J. M. (1992). Where are all the family therapists? Abuse and violence within families and family therapy’s response. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 18(3), 225–232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bartle-Haring, S., & Slesnick, N. (2012). Family therapy: An “emerging field”. In G. W. Peterson & K. R. Bush (Eds.), Handbook of marriage and the family (3rd ed.). New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bateson, G. (2000). Steps to an ecology of mind. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bateson, G., Jackson, D. D., Haley, J., & Weakland, J. H. (1956). Toward a theory of schizophrenia. Behavioral Science, 1, 251–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beavers, W. R., & Hampson, R. B. (1990). Successful families: Assessment and intervention. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beavers, W. R., & Hampson, R. B. (1993). Measuring family competence: The Beavers Systems Model. In F. Walsh (Ed.) Normal Family Processes (2nd edition). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beavers, W. R., & Hampson, R. B. (2000). The Beavers systems model of family functioning. Journal of Family Therapy, 22, 128–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beavers, W. R., & Hampson, R. B. (2003). Measuring family competence: The Beavers systems model. In F. Walsh (Ed.), Normal family processes (3rd ed., pp. 549–580). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becvar, D. S., & Becvar, R. J. (1999). Systems theory and family therapy: A primer. Lanham, MD: University Press of America.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bell, J. M. (2009). Family systems nursing re-examined. Journal of Family Nursing, 15, 123–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • von Bertalanffy, L. (1969). General system theory: Foundations, development, applications. New York: George Braziller.

    Google Scholar 

  • von Bertalanffy, L. (1975). Perspectives on general systems theory: Scientific-philosophical studies. New York: George Braziller.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bograd, M. (1984). Family systems approaches to wife battering: A feminist critique. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 54, 558–568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borrell-Carrio, F., Suchman, A. L., & Epstein, R. M. (2004). The biopsychosocial model 25 years later: Principles, practice and scientific inquiry. Annals of Family Medicine, 2, 576–582.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice. New York: Aronson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1973). Attachment and loss (Separation, Vol. II). New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1980). Attachment and loss (Loss, sadness, and depression, Vol. III). New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowlby, J. (1988). A secure base: Parent-child attachment and healthy human development. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broderick, C. B. (1971). Beyond the five conceptual frameworks: A decade of development in family theory. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 33, 139–159.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Broderick, C. B. (1993). Understanding family process. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Broderick, C., & Smith, J. (1979). The general systems approach to the family. In W. R. Burr, R. Hill, F. I. Nye, & I. L. Reiss (Eds.), Contemporary theories about the family (Vol. II). New York: The Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (1977). Toward an experimental ecology of human development. The American Psychologist, 32, 513–531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (2005). Making human beings human: Bioecological perspectives on human development. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U., & Evans, G. W. (2000). Developmental science in the 21st century: Emerging questions, theoretical models, research designs and empirical findings. Social Development, 9(1), 115–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Buckley, W. (1967). Sociology and modern systems theory. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Burman, E. (2005). Engendering culture in psychology. Theory and Psychology, 15, 527–548.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Byng-Hall, J. (2002). Relieving parentified children’s burdens in families with insecure attachment patterns. Family Process, 41, 375–388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chafetz, J. S. (2004). Building feminist theory and research methodology. Journal of Family Issues, 25, 963–977.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collins, F. S., Green, E., Guttmacher, A. E., & Guyer, M. S. (2003). A vision for the future of genomic research. Nature, 422, 835–847.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Craddock, A. E. (2001). Family system and family functioning: Circumplex model and FACESIV. Journal of Family Studies, 7, 29–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crittenden, P. M., & Dallos, R. (2009). All in the family: Integrating attachment and family systems theories. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 14, 389–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cummings, E. M., & Keller, P. S. (2007). How interparental conflict affects children. Directions in Mental Health Counseling, 17(8), 85–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dell, P. F. (1982). Beyond homeostasis: Toward a concept of coherence. Family Process, 21, 21–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Doherty, W. J. (1999). Postmodernism and family theory. In M. B. Sussman, S. K. Steinmetz, & G. W. Peterson (Eds.), Handbook of marriage and the family (2nd ed.). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Doherty, W. J., & Baptiste, D. A. (1993). Theories emerging from family therapy. In P. G. Boss, W. J. Doherty, R. Larossa, W. R. Schumm, & S. K. Steinmetz (Eds.), Sourcebook of family theories and methods: A contextual approach (pp. 505–524). New York: Plenum.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Dunst, C. J., & Trivette, C. M. (2009). Capacity-building family systems intervention practices. Journal of Family Social Work, 12, 119–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Engel, G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science, 196, 129–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eppler, C., & Weir, S. (2009). Family assessment in K-12 settings: Understanding family systems to provide effective, collaborative services. Psychology in the Schools, 46, 501–514.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, N., Baldwin, L., Bishop, D., & Keitner, G. (1983). The McMaster family assessment device. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 9, 171–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, N., Ryan, C. E., Bishop, D. S., Miller, I. W., & Keitner, G. I. (2003). The McMaster model: A view of healthy family functioning. In F. Walsh (Ed.), Normal family processes (3rd ed., pp. 581–607). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fields, M. D. (2008). Getting beyond “what did she do to provoke him?”. Violence Against Women, 14(1), 93–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Franklin, C., Streeter, C. L., & Springer, D. W. (2001). Validity of the FACES IV family assessment measure. Research on Social Work Practice, 11, 576–596.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gergen, K. J. (2001). Psychological science in a postmodern context. The American Psychologist, 56(10), 803–813.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gottman, J. M., & Notarius, C. I. (2002). Marital research in the 20th century and a research agenda for the 21st century. Family Process, 41(2), 159–197.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hepworth, J., & Cushman, R. A. (2005). Biopsychosocial: Essential but not sufficient. Families, Systems & Health, 23, 406–409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hess, R. D., & Handel, G. (1985). The family as a psychosocial organization. In G. Handel (Ed.), The psychosocial interior of the family (3rd ed., pp. 33–46). New York: Aldine.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R. (1966). Contemporary developments in family theory. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 28(1), 10–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, R. (1971). Modern systems theory and the family: A confrontation. Social Science Information, 10, 7–27.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, J., Fonagy, P., Safier, E., & Sargent, J. (2003). The ecology of attachment in the family. Family Process, 42, 205–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holman, T. B., & Burr, W. R. (1980). Beyond the beyond: The growth of family theories in the 1970s. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 42, 729–741.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hooper, L. M. (2007). The application of attachment theory and family systems theory to the phenomenon of parentification. The Family Journal, 15, 217–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, M. P. (1995). Patriarchal terrorism and common couple violence: Two forms of violence against women. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 57, 283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, M. P. (2006). Conflict and control: Gender symmetry and asymmetry in domestic violence. Violence Against Women, 12(11), 1003–1018.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kantor, D., & Lehr, W. (1975). Toward a theory of family process. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kendrick, K. M. (2004). The neurobiology of social bonds. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 16, 1007–1008.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kretchmar, M. D., & Jacobvitz, D. B. (2002). Observing mother-child relationships across generations: Boundary patterns, attachment, and the transmission of caregiving. Family Process, 41, 351–374.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhn, T. (1962). The structure of scientific revolutions. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kvale, S. (1992). Psychology and postmodernism. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawson, D. M., & Brossart, D. F. (2001). Intergenerational transmission: Individuation and intimacy across three generations. Family Process, 40, 429–442.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McDowell, T., & Fang, S.-R. S. (2007). Feminist-informed critical multiculturalism. Journal of Family Issues, 28(4), 549–566.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McGoldrick, M. (2003). Culture: A challenge to concepts of normality. In F. Walsh (Ed.), Normal family processes (3rd ed., pp. 235–259). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyers, S. A., Varkey, S., & Aguirre, A. M. (2002). Ecological correlates of family functioning. American Journal of Family Therapy, 30, 257–273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mikulincer, M., Florian, V., Cowan, P. A., & Cowan, C. P. (2002). Attachment security in couple relationships: A systemic model and its implications for family dynamics. Family Process, 41, 405–434.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, R. B., Anderson, S., & Keala, D. K. (2004). Is Bowen theory valid? A review of basic research. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 30, 453–466.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, I. W., Ryan, C. F., Keitner, G. I., Bishop, D. S., & Epstein, N. B. (2000). The McMaster approach to families: Theory, assessment, treatment and research. Journal of Family Therapy, 22, 168–189.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minuchin, S. (1974). Families and family therapy. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ng, K. M., & Smith, S. D. (2006). The relationship between attachment theory and intergenerational family systems theory. The Family Journal, 14, 430–440.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Novilla, M. L. B., Barnes, M. D., De La Cruz, N. G., Williams, P. N., & Rogers, J. (2006). Public health perspectives on the family: An ecological approach to promoting health in the family and community. Family & Community Health, 29(1), 28–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, D. H. (2000). Circumplex model of marital and family systems. Journal of Family Therapy, 22, 144–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, D. H., & Gorall, D. M. (2003). Circumplex model of marital and family systems. In F. Walsh (Ed.), Normal family processes (3rd ed., pp. 514–548). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olson, D. H., Sprenkle, D., & Russell, C. (1979). Circumplex model of marital and family systems: Cohesion and adaptability dimensions, family types, and clinical applications. Family Process, 18, 3–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, R. W. (2005). Becoming a healthier pastor: Family systems theory and the pastor’s own family. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodman, H. (1980). Are conceptual frameworks necessary for theory building? The case of family Sociology. The Sociological Quarterly, 21, 429–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rohner, R. P., & Britner, P. A. (2002). Worldwide mental health correlates of parental acceptance-rejection: Review of cross-cultural and intracultural evidence. Cross-Cultural Research, 36, 16–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rolland, J. S., & Williams, J. K. (2005). Toward a biopsychosocial model for 21st-century genetics. Family Process, 44, 3–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sabatelli, R. M., & Bartle-Haring, S. (2003). Family of origin experiences and patterns of adjustment within couples. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 65, 159–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schweitzer, J., Zwack, J., Weber, G., Nicolai, E., & Hirschenberger, N. (2007). Family systems psychiatry: Principles, good practice guidelines, clinical examples, and challenges. The American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 77, 377–385.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shuttleworth, A. (2002). Turning towards a bio-psycho-social way of thinking. European Journal of Psychotherapy, Counselling, and Health, 5, 205–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sloman, L., Atkinson, L., Milligan, K., & Liotti, G. (2002). Attachment, social rank, and affect regulation: Speculations on an ethological approach to family interaction. Family Process, 41, 312–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, J., & George, C. (1999). The measurement of attachment security in infancy and childhood. In J. Cassidy & P. R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment: Theory, research, and clinical applications (pp. 287–316). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sprey, J. (1988). Current theorizing on the family: An appraisal. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 50, 875–890.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stein, D. J., & Vythilingum, B. (2009). Love and attachment: The psychobiology of social bonding. CNS Spectrums: The International Journal of Neuropsychiatric Medicine, 14, 239–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steinglass, P. (1987). A systems view of family interaction and psychopathology. In T. Jacob (Ed.), Family interaction and psychopathology (pp. 25–65). New York: Plenum.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Steinglass, P. (2006). The future of family systems medicine. Challenges and opportunities. Families, Systems & Health, 24, 396–411.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Ecke, Y., Chope, R. C., & Emmelkamp, P. M. (2006). Bowlby and Bowen: Attachment theory and family therapy. Counseling and Clinical Psychology Journal, 3, 81–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vetere, A. (2007). Biopsychosocial models and multidisciplinary team working: Can systemic thinking help? Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 12, 5–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waters, E., Merrick, S., Treboux, D., Crowell, J., & Alhersheim, L. (2000). Attachment security in infancy and early childhood: A twenty-year longitudinal study. Child Development, 7, 684–689.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watzlawick, P., Beavin, J. H., & Jackson, D. D. (1967). The pragmatics of human communication. New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitchurch, G. G., & Constantine, L. L. (1993). Systems theory. In P. G. Boss, W. J. Doherty, R. LaRossa, W. R. Schumm, & S. K. Steinmetz (Eds.), Sourcebook of family theories and methods: A contextual approach (pp. 325–355). New York: Plenum.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • White, J., & Klein, D. (2008). Family theories (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen A. Anderson PhD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Anderson, S.A., Sabatelli, R.M., Kosutic, I. (2013). Systemic and Ecological Qualities of Families. In: Peterson, G., Bush, K. (eds) Handbook of Marriage and the Family. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3987-5_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics