Professional Tools for Strengthening Families

1. Professional Tools for Strengthening Families Richard B Miller Tasha Bates Tasha Bell Chih Han Hsieh Megan Rogers Megan StoryBrigham Young University, USA

2. Tools for Strengthening Families Tool #1 Knowledge about families Tool #2 Skills in assessing families Tool #3 Educating families

3. Tool #1Knowledge about Families

4. Marriage is becoming less popular in Taiwan

5. Probability of Getting Married in Taiwan在台灣結婚的可能性

6. Fertility Rate Trends in Taiwan

7. Fertility Rate in TaiwanThird Lowest in the World

8. Mean Age at First Marriage in Taiwan台灣人第一次結婚的平均年齡

9. Percent Never Married Age 30-35 in Taiwan30-35歲的台灣人當中從未結婚的比例

10. 表11980年及2005年的性別、年齡、以及婚姻狀態人口分布情形（單位：百分比）表11980年及2005年的性別、年齡、以及婚姻狀態人口分布情形（單位：百分比） 年齡 男性 單身已婚離婚鰥寡 單身已婚離婚鰥寡 女性 單身已婚離婚鰥寡 單身已婚離婚鰥寡 資料來源：臺閩地區人口統計，內政部戶政司

11. 表4　到39歲之前的婚姻狀態表，1980年及2005年 男性 女性 一個剛出生的人這一生中會結婚的可能性 一個15歲的人這一生中會結婚的可能性 第一次結婚平均年齡 結婚次數 轉變婚姻狀態的可能性 單身結婚 結婚鰥寡 結婚離婚 鰥寡再婚 離婚再婚 轉變婚姻狀態的平均年齡 單身結婚 結婚鰥寡 結婚離婚 鰥寡再婚 離婚再婚

12. Why Is There a Decline in Marriage in Taiwan?為什麼台灣的婚姻越來越少？

13. Possible Reasons可能原因 Cohabitation is becoming a substitute for marriage. 同居變成了婚姻的替代方案。

14. In Europe and the United States, there is also a significant decrease in marriage, as well as the age at first marriage. However, cohabitation has become a substitute for marriage, in many cases. 在歐美國家也會見到婚姻的大幅減少，第一次結婚的平均年齡也有此趨勢。在許多案例中，同居變成了結婚的替代方案。

15. Although cohabitation rates are probably much lower in Taiwan, it is very difficult to find data on rates of cohabitation in Taiwan.同居的比率在台灣可能仍然偏低，不過關於台灣同居情形的研究資料很難取得。

16. Possible Reasons可能原因 • Cohabitation is becoming a substitute for marriage. 同居變成了婚姻的替代方案。 • Changing norms and values in Taiwan society. 台灣社會中的常規與價值觀在改變。 • Marriage is no longer “required”. 婚姻不再是｢必要的｣。 • Marriage is now more likely to be seen as a negative.婚姻有可能被視為是負面的。 • Women are now more educated and have career opportunities, so getting married is no longer necessary.女性可能因為獲得高等教育及就業機會，使得結婚對她們來說不再是必需的。

17. Attitudes about Marriage in Taiwan在台灣對婚姻的態度

18. Divorce rate is increasing dramatically in Taiwan.

19. Probability of Divorcing by Age 39 in Taiwan

20. Percentage Currently Divorced Ages 40-44 in Taiwan

21. Common Problems in Taiwan Marriages Table 1 Ranks and percentiles of reported problem areas

22. Taiwan has historically low fertility rates

23. Fertility Rate Trends in Taiwan

24. Fertility Rate in Taiwan isThird Lowest in the World

25. These trends in family life have negative consequences for the well-being of adults and children in Taiwan, as well as Taiwan’s economy.

26. Tool #2Skills in Assessing Families

27. Among social workers and other social service professionals, assessment usually refers to individual assessment (depression, anxiety, etc.)

28. However, it is also important to have the skills to assess family functioning.

29. Child Problems Can Have Many Causes • Biology • Biological problems (depression, anxiety, ADHD) • Learning disabilities • Significant transitions (moving, death of grandparent) • Being bullied at school by other children • Harsh parenting behaviors • Stress at home because of conflict between parents

30. Family Perspective on Childhood Problems Research is very clear that bad parenting behaviors put child at risk for poor social and academic functioning. Research is also very clear that parents who don’t have a harmonious relationship put their children at risk for poor social and academic functioning. Thus, if these family issues are present, they need to be addressed in order for the child to improve.

31. Adult Emotional Problems • Adult emotional problems can be caused by many factors: • Example: Depression • Biology/Genetics • Childhood abuse • Faulty Cognitions (Cognitive Psychology) • Lack of Marital Harmony • Key is to properly assess cause of the depression and then treat it appropriately.

32. Perspective of Family Systems Theory • Family systems theory looks at the context of individual and relationship problems. • Assessment from a family system theory seeks to assess the familycontext as a way to understand individual and relationship problems. • Consequently, it is very helpful to conduct an assessment with the whole family present. This allow the social worker to observethe interactions (e.g. context) of the family. • The focus, then, is on the process of what goes on in family, rather than the content of what is said.

33. Family Systems Theory • A system is a set of interrelated parts that have a relationship among them. • Interconnectedness (wholeness) • “The essence of systems thinking is seeing patterns of connection where others see only isolated events.” (Nichols & Schwartz, p. 122) • Rules (patterns of interaction) • Overt Rules • Covert Rules • Circular Causality

34. Systems theory (cont.) • Function of the symptom • Hence, the focus isn’t the presenting problem (e.g. content), but rather the process. You look for interactions that are creating and maintaining problems. • Counselors give advice on specific problems; therapists assess patterns of interaction and change them.

35. Basic Concepts of Structural Family Therapy • Focus is on the structure of the family • Structure is determined by patterns of interaction • Boundaries—disengaged vs. enmeshed • Hierarchy—power and nurturing • Executive subsystem--parents • Flexibility—rigid vs. chaotic • Function of the symptom • Triangles

36. Classic Triangle H W C

37. Detouring Triangle H W C

38. Cross-Generational Coalition W H C

39. Triangulation Questions My spouse says cruel or hurtful things about me in front of this child. My spouse uses this child to get back at me. My spouse tries to get this child to take sides when we argue. My spouse delivers messages to me through this child rather than say them to me.

40. What to Look Assess for Effective Parenting • Ratio of positive and negative interaction with the child(ren). • Parenting is mostly characterized by warmth, rather than harshness. • Effective plan and system of discipline. • Family rules and expectations are clearly articulated and understood by child. • Consistency in following through with consequences (both positive and negative).

41. Strong Parental Cooperation My spouse asks my opinion on issues related to parenting. My spouse fills me in on what happens during this child’s day. My spouse shares the burden of discipline. My spouse and I have different rules regarding food, chores, bedtime, or homework. My spouse and I have different standards for this child’s behavior. My spouse supports my discipline decisions. My spouse undermines my parenting.

42. Assess Parenting Styles • Authoritarian • Harsh, rigid discipline • Little warmth or tenderness • Little explanation for punishments • Permissive • Few attempts to put limits on child’s behavior • Authoritative • Warm, supportive behavior towards child • Limits are set and maintained, but lots of teaching and explanations are giving.

43. Assess Harmony in the Marriage Assess for the ratio of positive and negative interactions between the spouses. Assess the general “atmosphere” of the couple. Is it positive and warm, or tense? Is the overall emotions positive or negative? Assess for level of cooperation. Assess for their ability to listen to each other. Assess for the level of enqing. Assess for level of resentment.

44. Tool #3Education

45. Research shows that educating parents is effective in improving parenting, parental cooperation, father involvement, and marital harmony.

46. Parental Cooperation • Research shows that level of cooperation between parents has a positive effect on child development: • Social Competence • Academic achievement • Psychological functioning • It decreases stress among the parents. • It increases father involvement with children.

47. Ways to Increase Parental Cooperation Marital harmony is important. It is difficult to cooperate as parents when there are bad feelings between each other. Encourage parents to talk with each other about parenting issues. Work together to resolved child behavior problems. Encourage parents to support each other in their parenting. Never undermine each other.

48. Father Involvement • Father involvement with his children is a strong predictor of the their well-being. • Language development • Social competence • Academic achievement • High quality relationship between father and his children is linked with better development of children.

49. Ways to Increase Father Involvement • Skills and knowledge about children and parenting. • Cooperation between mother and father about parenting. • “Maternal Gatekeeping”—sometimes mothers block father’s involvement with children. • Marital harmony • “The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.”

50. Principles of Parenting Warmth and Acceptance Reasoning Physical Coercion Verbal Hostility Nonreasoning/Punitive Psychological Control