Evaluate the family dynamics from a systems perspective.

Explain how principles of group dynamics would apply to this crisis family vignette.

Compare the process of assessing dynamics in a family with assessing dynamics in a group. Draw on your discussion response this week to highlight the similarities and differences.

Crisis Family Transcript

SOCIAL WORKER: Thank you for meeting with me. I'm Rhonda, and I'm a social worker here to do what I can to help your family. From the referral, it sounds like you have a lot going on. [SLIGHT GIGGLE] And it's been very stressful for everyone.

MOTHER: That's an understatement. It seems like I get one fire put out, and then, another one starts.

SOCIAL WORKER: Tell me more about that.

MOTHER: Well, I'm guessing you read about our history.

SOCIAL WORKER: Yes, but I'd like to hear your take on it.

MOTHER: OK. Well, Kate was placed with us as a foster child when she was about three. We adopted her when she was about eight. And now, she's 16, but has always been hyper, and reckless, and careless. I mean, the girl knows how to cook, but still, somehow, she manages to burn a brand-new frying pan and all of her food in it. Sit still, please, KATE.

SOCIAL WORKER: So, she has problems with attention.

MOTHER: Yes, and when she doesn't get her way, it's even worse. She starts yelling and arguing. And I go to my room to

avoid making things worse, but she follows me. And she's banging on the door. Her grades are also getting worse [AGITATED SIGH]. It's just-- Kate, please put that down. Come on.

FATHER: All right.

MOTHER: So--

FATHER: I need you to pay attention, OK?

SOCIAL WORKER: Kate is struggling to meet your expectations.

MOTHER: She doesn't meet anyone's expectations, quite frankly. And this isn't a joke, Kate.

SOCIAL WORKER: I'd like to hear your side, Kate.

DAUGHTER: I don't know. I didn't mean to burn the pan.

MOTHER: Well, what about the time you kicked a hole in the wall by our bedroom door? And then, you took off on your bike to God knows where. And we didn't know when you were coming home.

DAUGHTER: I did tell you where I was going. You weren't listening, and you wouldn't come out of your room.

MOTHER: Well, not when I'm feeling threatened by you, Kate.

SOCIAL WORKER: So there's a struggle to communicate in a way that doesn't feel threatening for either of you.

FATHER: I need you to put that down and try and pay attention. OK, honey.

SOCIAL WORKER: What do you think, Sean?

FATHER: About what? [GRUNTS]

SOCIAL WORKER: About what's going on with your family.

FATHER: She's always been like this. I mean, maybe a little harder to deal with because she's

getting older. Doing things on her own.

MOTHER: Well, you know you're not very much help. And you let her do whatever she wants. You unlock the pantry any time she wants. So what's the point in putting a lock on it if you're just going to give in to her every time? Why?

FATHER: She's just a kid, OK.

MOTHER: Right. And she's a kid that will eat anything and everything any chance she gets. And we do have another

child in the house in case you haven't noticed. She's setting a poor example for him, and she's bullying him. I don't know if you see this or not.

SOCIAL WORKER: There are a lot of behaviors that concern you, Ann. What have you noticed that triggers Kate's anger? Earlier, you mentioned when she doesn't get her way.

MOTHER: Right. Well, she's always asking for something. New shoes, when she has a perfectly good pair. She wants to join another club at school even though she already belongs to three.

SOCIAL WORKER: So Kate asks, you say no, and she's zero to angry just like that.

MOTHER: Yeah, pretty much.

DAUGHTER: No. It ain't like that.

SOCIAL WORKER: What's it like, Kate?

DAUGHTER: I ask, and then she goes into a long story about why I can't have it and I don't deserve it. I try to walk away before I get mad, but she keeps talking, then I get mad.

MOTHER: No.