Case study

 
• Examine two issues from the case study using Family Systems Theory. Apply the theory to explain how the family system contributes to the selected issues.
• You may select two of the four people below:
o Michelle and problems with stress and anxiety
o Jackson and issues with delinquency and substance use
o Caitlin and problems with self-sexualisation and early sexual activity
o Pete and issues with alcohol and aggressive behaviour
• Your arguments must be supported by the research literature. As a minimum standard, you must cite four articles from peer-reviewed journals in addition to the Minuchin (1985) reading (week one reading). Books and book chapters may be cited but these must be in addition to the four journal articles.

Essay Hints

• This is an essay, so remember to structure it like one, with an introduction, body and conclusion. Use full sentences and APA style referencing.
• Do not use dot points in your essay. However, sub-headings are acceptable and useful.
• You will need to mention details of the family structure and characteristics of its members, but don’t spend too much time repeating details from the case study. Keep such details brief.
• Integrating research findings is an important part of this essay. When you apply Family Systems Theory to each issue, use findings from the research literature to support your argument.
• Remember that there is no need to suggest intervention options. For this assignment, we are interested in how Family Systems Theory may be used to explain the issues.

PSY356 assignment marking guide

Note: this is only a general marking guide and will not be given back to you with your assignment mark.

Application to relevant issues (40 marks)
• Gives possible explanations for the issues chosen (using FST)
• Appropriate integration of FST principles, case study information and relevant literature to the issues chosen
Definition of the principles of FST (15 marks)
• Brief and succinct descriptions of the principles, that are integrated with the application of the principles to the case study
• Discusses the principles that are relevant to the issues (ie you do not have to use all 6 principles if they are not applicable)
Discussion of the literature (15 marks)
• Cites literature that is relevant to the case study and the issues chosen
• Discussion of the literature in your own words, integrated with application to the case study
• Minimum 4 references plus Minuchin (1985) reference
Integration of case study information (15 marks)
• Uses examples from the case study to back up application of literature and FST principles to the relevant issue
• Case study information is integrated with the application of principles to the case study
Referencing and formatting (15 marks)
• Essay structure appropriate (eg paras appropriate length, 1 point per para)
• Formatting APA style (eg no gaps between paras, first line of para indented)
• In text referencing APA style (eg referencing all assumptions made, and referencing quotations with page numbers)
• Reference list APA style
The Jones Family
Pete and Michelle Jones have been referred for family assessment by their lawyer, who hoped the referral would influence the juvenile court proceedings involving their 16-year-old son, Jackson, who is due to appear before the court in 3 months time on a series of charges including the ongoing possession and supplying of illegal substances. The charges escalated after Jackson was involved in a hit and run involving a cyclist, after a Big Day Out concert. Although Jackson has denied the allegations, witness statements have identified Jackson as being the driver of the vehicle in question. Jackson claims he has no memory of the event, due to being high on ICE at the time.

Michelle and Pete have been in an on again/off again relationship for 16 years. They finally got married 3 years ago, when Michelle found out she was pregnant with their third child. Pete has only regularly lived with Michelle and their children since the marriage, before which, he used to come and go. After their child, Shaun (now 3), was born, they decided it would be better if Michelle found full-time work, but the only full-time job that Michelle could find was waitressing. With Pete’s unemployment benefit and her income, they have just enough money to get by. Pete was quite absent when Jackson was young and the time they have spent together has been dominated by Pete’s aggressive behaviour towards Jackson. Although Michelle believes that Pete should be more involved in Jackson’s life (particularly around discipline), the few attempts Pete has made has led to physical brawls between them. Caitlin hates the way Pete treats Michelle but is also quite wary/fearful of Pete, especially when he has been drinking. There was also a younger brother, Ben, who would have been 10, but he was a cot death at 4 months.

Jackson first became “known to the police” when he was caught underage street drinking at the age of 13 years. Because of issues with truancy and repeated behavioural breaches, including the sale of illegal substances and getting into schoolyard fights, Jackson has been expelled from a number of high schools. He lies frequently to his mother and father about where he has been and what he has been doing. Jackson’s behaviour has become more troublesome both in and out of school over recent months, and he has recently begun hanging out with a group of ‘undesirables’ who appeared to be significantly older than he is.

Michelle and Pete’s daughter, Caitlin (14), had a very close relationship with Michelle. She claims that they used to tell each other everything, including information about their relationships. Caitlin has a distant relationship with Pete, as she claims he works too much and has no time for her or her brother. On entering high school, Caitlin fell into a different social circle known for hosting large parties and experimenting with drugs. Caitlin has told her mother that to feel good about herself and fit in with her peers she has to get attention from the boys in her group by wearing lots of makeup and revealing clothes. Caitlin was in a sexual relationship with one of them but they broke up after the boyfriend showed all his friends a nude self-portrait Caitlin had sent him. This incident has led to Caitlin being ostracised from the group for “being too slutty” and Caitlin no longer wants to go to school because she “has no friends”. Caitlin hasn’t taken well to the arrival of Shaun and her relationship with Michelle has suffered because of this. She claims that they were once good friends, but the ongoing issues with her parents have led to arguments between them, which come up every time they start talking again.

Although Michelle works full-time and Pete mostly stays at home, Pete complains about looking after Shaun so Michelle often puts him into the childcare centre where her sister Maria works. Maria has never been supportive of Michelle’s relationship with Pete and has always suspected that Pete is abusive to Michelle and the children. Following a particularly messy foot painting session where Shaun fell in the paint and had to get a complete change of clothes, Maria noticed that there were unusual bruises on Shaun’s back and buttocks. She showed Michelle, who tried to cover it up, but nonetheless further confirmed her suspicions that Pete has violent tendencies. Maria has told Michelle that if she doesn’t leave Pete, she will have to involve social services.

Jackson’s trouble with the law and her own social difficulties come at a really bad time for Michelle who has been really struggling with stress and anxiety-related issues. She finds herself constantly worrying about her family and how to support them, and often has trouble sleeping. She says it is becoming harder and harder to complete day to day tasks, and severe bouts of worry and sleeplessness often cause her to call in sick to work. Pete can’t understand why Michelle just doesn’t “snap out of it” and stop missing work and take care of her family. His irregular temper and bouts of drinking over the last few years have grown increasingly worse which has Michelle constantly walking on egg shells. Michelle has also had suspicions that Pete has been engaging in relationships with other women, although he has always denied this. She has recently found out that she is pregnant with another child, which adds to her worries. Michelle feels trapped in her relationship with Pete and is scared to leave. Michelle feels like she has no help with raising her family from Pete, and no-one to talk to about her problems other than Caitlin.

Since the marriage, Pete has been mostly unemployed. Although he used to get a lot of FIFO work, he now prefers to spend his time hanging out with mates, drinking and smoking weed. At a recent family event, Pete became quite drunk and abusive towards Michelle’s sister Maria. Michelle was angry at Pete for disrupting a ‘nice family gathering’ and told him to go and cool off at a friend’s place. Pete stayed away for almost a week. Jackson was happy that Michelle had finally stood up to Pete as he didn’t think that Pete should be “part of the family anyway”.