Structural Family Therapy, Essay Example

Structural family therapy is utilized to determine how the family structure impacts the relationships of family members. This information can be used to identify problematic relationships that have formed as a consequence of the specific structure utilized by a particularly group. Therefore, structural family therapy can be utilized to determine the different types of problems that matriarchal family structures and patriarchal family structures typically encounter. It was hypothesized that family members with patriarchal family structures are more likely to feel that their participation in the family is suppressed, while family members with patriarchal family structures feel that they would benefit from a greater degree of support. To test this hypothesis, three matriarchal families and three patriarchal families will be selected from the community. They will be observed three times each and participate in structural family therapy an additional three times. Each of these sessions will occur one week apart. Their family relationships, behaviors, and patterns will be noted throughout each of the six evaluations. During the three therapy sessions, role-playing activities will be employed as an intervention. Each family will be followed up with one month following the final therapy session and the results will be recorded. It is plausible that different problems will common for each family type, whether it is patriarchal or matriarchal. This research will be beneficial because it will allow researcher to understand the differences that must be applied when using structural family therapy on the basis of the family’s actual structure. Furthermore, this will pave the way for future analyses of this sort, as there are many different family dynamics that can be examined in this manner. This will ultimately enhance professional practice.