• Newsletter
  • Search
  • Contacto
  • Home (next newsletter)
  • Home
  • News # 80 | Jun. 2018
  • News # 81 | Jul. 2018
  • News # 82 | Set. 2018
  • News # 83 | Oct. 2018
  • News # 84 | Nov. 2018
  • News # 85 | Dec. 2018
  • News # 86 | Jan. 2019
  • News # 87 | Feb. 2019
  • News # 88 | Mar. 2019
  • News # 89 | Apr. 2019
  • News # 90 | May. 2019
  • News # 91 | Jun. 2019
  • News # 92 | Jul. 2019
  • News # 93 | sep. 2019
  • Newsletters
    • 2008 – 2009
      • News # 1 | nov. 2008
      • News # 10 | nov/dez. 2009
      • News # 2 | dec. 2008
      • News # 3 | jan/fev. 2009
      • News # 4 | mar. 2009
      • News # 5 | abr. 2009
      • News # 6 | mai/jun. 2009
      • News # 7 | jul. 2009
      • News # 8 | ago/set. 2009
      • News # 9 | out. 2009
    • 2010 – 2011
      • News # 11 | jan/fev. 2010
      • News # 12 | mar. 2010
      • News # 13 | abr. 2010
      • News # 14 | mai. 2010
      • News # 15 | jun/jul. 2010
      • News # 16 | ago/set. 2010
      • News # 17 | out/nov. 2010
      • News # 18 | dez. 2010
      • News # 19 | jan/fev. 2011
      • News # 20 | mar/abr. 2011
      • News # 21 | mai/jun. 2011
      • News # 22 | jul/ago. 2011
      • News # 23 | set/out. 2011
      • News # 24 | nov/dez. 2011
    • 2012 – 2013
      • News # 25 | jan. 2012
      • News # 26 | fev/mar. 2012
      • News # 27 | jun. 2012
      • News # 28 | ago. 2012
      • News # 29 | set/out. 2012
      • News # 30 | nov/dez. 2012
      • News # 31 | jan. 2013
      • News # 32 | mar. 2013
      • News # 33 | abr. 2013
      • News # 34 | mai. 2013
      • News # 35 | jun. 2013
      • News # 36 | set. 2013
      •  News # 37 | out. 2013
      • News # 38 | nov/dez. 2013
    • 2014 – 2015
      • News # 39 | jan/fev. 2014
      • News # 40 | mar. 2014
      • News # 41 | abr/mai. 2014
      • News # 42 | jun/jul. 2014
      • News # 43 | set. 2014
      • News # 44 | out/nov. 2014
      • News # 45 | dez. 2014
      • News # 46 | jan. 2015
      • News # 47 | fev. 2015
      • News # 48 | abr. 2015
      • News # 49 | mai. 2015
      • News # 50 | jun. 2015
      • News # 51 | set. 2015
      • News # 52 | out. 2015
      • News # 53 | dez. 2015
    • 2016 – 2017
      • News # 54 | jan. 2016
      • News # 55 | fev. 2016
      • News # 56 | mar. 2016
      • News # 57 | abr. 2016
      • News nº 58 | may 2016
      • News # 59 | jun. 2016
      • News # 60 | jul. 2016
      • News # 61 | set. 2016
      • News # 62 | out. 2016
      • News # 63 | nov/dez. 2016
      • News # 64 | jan. 2017
      • News # 65 | fev. 2017
      • News # 66 | mar. 2017
      • News # 67 | apr. 2017
      • News # 68 | may 2017
      • News # 69 | jun. 2017
      • News # 70 | jul. 2017
      • News # 71 | set. 2017
      • News # 72 | out. 2017
      • News # 73 | nov. 2017
      • News # 74 | dez. 2017
    • 2018
      • News # 75 | jan. 2018
      • News # 76 | fev. 2018
      • News # 77 | mar. 2018
      • News # 78 | abr. 2018
      • News #79 | May 2018
  • Subscribe Newsletter
My Company
  • Home
  • Newsletters
    • 2018 – 2019
      • News nº 92 | jul. 2019
      • News nº 91 | jun. 2019
      • News nº 90 | Mai. 2019
      • News nº 89 | Abr. 2019
      • News nº 88 | Mar. 2019
      • News nº 87 | Fev. 2019
      • News nº 86 | Jan. 2019
      • News nº 85 | Dez. 2018
      • News nº 84 | Nov. 2018
      • News nº 83 | Out. 2018
      • News nº 82 | Set. 2018
      • News nº 81 | Jul. 2018
      • News nº 80 | Jun. 2018
      • News Nº 79 | Mai. 2018
      • News nº 78 | abr. 2018
      • News nº 77 | mar. 2018
      • News nº 76 | fev. 2018
      • News nº 75 | jan. 2018
    • 2016 – 2017
      • News nº 74 | dez. 2017
      • News # 73 | nov. 2017
      • News # 72 | out. 2017
      • News # 70 | set. 2017
      • News nº 70 | jul. 2017
      • News nº 69 | jun. 2017
      • News nº 68 | mai. 2017
      • News nº 67 | abr. 2017
      • News nº 66 | mar. 2017
      • News nº 65 | fev. 2017
      • News nº 64 | jan. 2017
      • News nº 63 | nov/dez. 2016
      • News nº 62 | out. 2016
      • News nº 61 | set. 2016
      • News nº 60 | jul. 2016
      • News nº 59 | jun. 2016
      • News nº 58 | mai. 2016
      • News nº 57 | abr. 2016
      • News nº 56 | mar. 2016
      • News nº 55 | fev. 2016
      • News nº 54 | jan. 2016
    • 2014 – 2015
      • News nº 53 | dez. 2015
      • News nº 52 | out. 2015
      • News nº 51 | set. 2015
      • News nº 50 | jun. 2015
      • News nº 49 | mai. 2015
      • News nº 48 | abr. 2015
      • News nº 47 | fev. 2015
      • News nº 46 | jan. 2015
      • News nº 45 | dez. 2014
      • News nº 44 | out/nov. 2014
      • News nº 43 | set. 2014
      • News nº 42 | jun/jul. 2014
      • News nº 41 | abr/mai. 2014
      • News nº 40 | mar. 2014
      • News nº 39 | jan/fev. 2014
    • 2012 – 2013
      • News nº 38 | nov/dez. 2013
      • News nº 37 | out. 2013
      • News nº 36 | set. 2013
      • News nº 35 | jun. 2013
      • News nº 34 | mai. 2013
      • News nº 33 | abr. 2013
      • News nº 32 | mar. 2013
      • News nº 31 | jan. 2013
      • News nº 30 | nov/dez. 2012
      • News nº 29 | set/out. 2012
      • News nº 28 | ago. 2012
      • News nº 27 | jun. 2012
      • News nº 26 | fev/mar. 2012
      • News nº 25 | jan. 2012
    • 2010 – 2011
      • News nº 24 | nov/dez. 2011
      • News nº 23 | set/out. 2011
      • News nº 22 | jul/ago. 2011
      • News nº 21 | mai/jun. 2011
      • News nº 20 | mar/abr. 2011
      • News nº 19 | jan/fev. 2011
      • News nº 18 | dez. 2010
      • News nº 17 | out/nov. 2010
      • News nº 16 | ago/set. 2010
      • News nº 15 | jun/jul. 2010
      • News nº 14 | mai. 2010
      • News nº 13 | abr. 2010
      • News nº 12 | mar. 2010
      • News nº 11 | jan/fev. 2010
    • 2008 – 2009
      • News nº 10 | nov/dez. 2009
      • News nº 9 | out. 2009
      • News nº 8 | ago/set. 2009
      • News nº 7 | jul. 2009
      • News nº 6 | mai/jun. 2009
      • News nº 5 | abr. 2009
      • News nº 4 | mar. 2009
      • News nº 3 | jan/fev. 2009
      • News nº 2 | dez. 2008
      • News nº 1 | nov. 2008
  • Subscrever Newsletter
  • Contacto
Main Menu
  • Home
  • Newsletters
    • 2018 – 2019
      • News nº 92 | jul. 2019
      • News nº 91 | jun. 2019
      • News nº 90 | Mai. 2019
      • News nº 89 | Abr. 2019
      • News nº 88 | Mar. 2019
      • News nº 87 | Fev. 2019
      • News nº 86 | Jan. 2019
      • News nº 85 | Dez. 2018
      • News nº 84 | Nov. 2018
      • News nº 83 | Out. 2018
      • News nº 82 | Set. 2018
      • News nº 81 | Jul. 2018
      • News nº 80 | Jun. 2018
      • News Nº 79 | Mai. 2018
      • News nº 78 | abr. 2018
      • News nº 77 | mar. 2018
      • News nº 76 | fev. 2018
      • News nº 75 | jan. 2018
    • 2016 – 2017
      • News nº 74 | dez. 2017
      • News # 73 | nov. 2017
      • News # 72 | out. 2017
      • News # 70 | set. 2017
      • News nº 70 | jul. 2017
      • News nº 69 | jun. 2017
      • News nº 68 | mai. 2017
      • News nº 67 | abr. 2017
      • News nº 66 | mar. 2017
      • News nº 65 | fev. 2017
      • News nº 64 | jan. 2017
      • News nº 63 | nov/dez. 2016
      • News nº 62 | out. 2016
      • News nº 61 | set. 2016
      • News nº 60 | jul. 2016
      • News nº 59 | jun. 2016
      • News nº 58 | mai. 2016
      • News nº 57 | abr. 2016
      • News nº 56 | mar. 2016
      • News nº 55 | fev. 2016
      • News nº 54 | jan. 2016
    • 2014 – 2015
      • News nº 53 | dez. 2015
      • News nº 52 | out. 2015
      • News nº 51 | set. 2015
      • News nº 50 | jun. 2015
      • News nº 49 | mai. 2015
      • News nº 48 | abr. 2015
      • News nº 47 | fev. 2015
      • News nº 46 | jan. 2015
      • News nº 45 | dez. 2014
      • News nº 44 | out/nov. 2014
      • News nº 43 | set. 2014
      • News nº 42 | jun/jul. 2014
      • News nº 41 | abr/mai. 2014
      • News nº 40 | mar. 2014
      • News nº 39 | jan/fev. 2014
    • 2012 – 2013
      • News nº 38 | nov/dez. 2013
      • News nº 37 | out. 2013
      • News nº 36 | set. 2013
      • News nº 35 | jun. 2013
      • News nº 34 | mai. 2013
      • News nº 33 | abr. 2013
      • News nº 32 | mar. 2013
      • News nº 31 | jan. 2013
      • News nº 30 | nov/dez. 2012
      • News nº 29 | set/out. 2012
      • News nº 28 | ago. 2012
      • News nº 27 | jun. 2012
      • News nº 26 | fev/mar. 2012
      • News nº 25 | jan. 2012
    • 2010 – 2011
      • News nº 24 | nov/dez. 2011
      • News nº 23 | set/out. 2011
      • News nº 22 | jul/ago. 2011
      • News nº 21 | mai/jun. 2011
      • News nº 20 | mar/abr. 2011
      • News nº 19 | jan/fev. 2011
      • News nº 18 | dez. 2010
      • News nº 17 | out/nov. 2010
      • News nº 16 | ago/set. 2010
      • News nº 15 | jun/jul. 2010
      • News nº 14 | mai. 2010
      • News nº 13 | abr. 2010
      • News nº 12 | mar. 2010
      • News nº 11 | jan/fev. 2010
    • 2008 – 2009
      • News nº 10 | nov/dez. 2009
      • News nº 9 | out. 2009
      • News nº 8 | ago/set. 2009
      • News nº 7 | jul. 2009
      • News nº 6 | mai/jun. 2009
      • News nº 5 | abr. 2009
      • News nº 4 | mar. 2009
      • News nº 3 | jan/fev. 2009
      • News nº 2 | dez. 2008
      • News nº 1 | nov. 2008
  • Subscrever Newsletter
  • Contacto

Parenthood in Multi-Problem Families

By etavares On 30 September, 2010 Open Space | 2010 Comments Off on Parenthood in Multi-Problem Families No tags


The family, as the facilitating and promoting nucleus of human development, allows the elements that form it to fulfil two vital functions: to ensure the continuity of human beings, and to achieve a balance between growing up/individualization and the socialization of each of the family members. In this sense, the family, particularly through parents, is one of the most important sources of socialization and education (Alarcão, 2002; Relvas, 2000; Pinsof, quoted by Ribeiro, 1997).

The evaluation of parenthood, from an ecosystemic perspective, has inherent to it the existence of distinct forms through which parents manage their responsibilities, reflecting the combination between their capacities and characteristics, the developmental needs of the child, and available resources (Calheiros, 2006; Pecnik, Daly, & Lalière, 2006; Voydanoff & Donnelly, 1998). Under normal conditions, the family ecosystem maintains a dynamic balance between resources and stress levels (Corcoran & Nichols-Casebolt, 2004; Fuster & Ochoa, 2000). Nevertheless, in the case of many families, namely multi-problem families, frequently the changes occurring outside the family, in combination with changes within the family, produce a state of ecological instability whereby the level of stress exceeds available individual and family resources (Alarcão, 2002; Cancrini, Gregório & Nocerino, 1997; Neto, 1996).

It thus becomes clear that the parental role in these multi-problem families becomes equally deteriorated, in terms of bonding and socialization. It is often the mother figure that takes up a key role, her success in life frequently corresponding to child bearing, resulting in high expectations and assigning too high a value to the role of motherhood (and where criticism of the mother-child interaction is perceived as a personal disqualification). She is, nevertheless, a chaotic figure, sometimes withdrawing from her position in the centre, oscillating between anger and depression, simultaneously accusing and defending her husband. The participation of the male figure depends on the position that the mother plays within the family system, and it is more likely when the mother assumes a position of increased detachment. The network of informal support is particularly important in the children’s education, and is often ensured by members of the extended family and/or significant people. Power ends up being split among various people who assume the leading role in turns, not following a clear or coherent system of rules or principles.

Thus, the nature of parental power becomes confusing. On the one hand, the hierarchy of power is compromised by the serious deterioration of its exercise and distribution. On the other hand, parents sway between authoritarian and absolute power, and periods of physical or psychological surrender of their roles, which coincide with the delegation of parental duties on one child (parental child). Dysfunctional alliances are common between parents and children: the child is put in a position of split loyalty and forced to choose between one of the parents, remaining in a undesirable power situation regarding the father, who he sides with (Alarcão, 2002; Linares, 1997; Minuchin et al., 1967; Minuchin, 1982; Neto, 1996; Sousa, 2005).

The combination of a deteriorated parenthood, where emotional ties are neglected thanks to the instrumentalisation of the parental bond, and the lack of harmony in the conjugal relation, often characterised by conflict and frustration, frequently leads to the sexual exploit of children. The same as with erotic impulses, parents’ aggressive impulses flow freely, leaving the children without the control of protective functions. This leads to physical abuse, which often occurs over a background of abandonment and lack of care (Alarcão, 2002; Cancrini et al., 1997; Linares, 1997; Sousa, 2005).

In the case of children, the unpredictability of the parents’ answers are reflected in breaches in basic security and in interiorized unsafe bonding models (there are no implicit or explicit rules of behaviour that can be interiorized). They basically learn that behaviour prohibitions are associated to power or to the emotional mood (normally one of unhapiness) of the mother or any other person in a position of power. Accordingly, they need their parents in order to organise their interpersonal transactions, which makes their own autonomy process and a serene exploration of their surroundings difficult. The existence of several potentially parental figures does not mean to have parents. In the majority of cases, this factor, allied with the high vulnerability of the milieu, provokes feelings of fear, neglect, defensive behaviours, and premature emotional self-sufficiency in children and adolescents.

The absence of rules in the parents-children interactions (structures of socialization) is connected to the absence of instructions on how children shall behave in future (lack of knowledge of cultural norms), and foster conflict with the surrounding milieu.

In the case of adolescents and young adults, it causes disturbances that prompts them to act, and inaptitude in integrating external systems. The most common pathology is of a social or psychopathic nature, associated to problems in school adaptation, delinquency, drug dependency, and alcohol abuse (Alarcão, 2002; Fulmer, 1989; Linares, 1997; Minuchin et al., 1967; Neto, 1996; Sousa, 2005).

However, there are also positive aspects of parenthood in multi-problem families. There is recognition that parents love their children, albeit being incompetent in the exercise of their duties, a situation that stems from their own reference models, equally unstable and unsafe. They find in their children reservoirs of loyalty and dependence that keep the various elements together (Minuchin, Colapinto & Minuchin 1998; Sousa et al, 2007; Sousa, 2005). The emotional lability that characterizes these families, and the intensity of the lack of harmony and conflict they experience, allow the creation of less monolithical lives, and of fissures through which some mechanisms that protect and transform deficiencies of the parental role can develop (e.g. a mother who argues with her husband in the face of his aggressiveness with their children) (Alarcão, 2002; Linares, 1997; Sousa, 2005).

Accordingly, it is of particular importance that professionals working with multi-problem families do not ignore the way the family functions as a whole, as this could be the entrance door to a change that allows the family to foster its development as an ecosystem, alongside the personal development of those who form it.

Rute Isabel Ribeiro de Oliveira Piedade Valente
Student of the Master Degree in “Victimization of Children and Adolescents” Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon
rutevalente@netcabo.pt
_____________________________

Bibliography Alarcão, M. (2002). (Des)Equilíbrios Familiares (2ª Ed.). Coimbra: Quarteto Editora.

Calheiros, M. M. (2006). A Construção Social do Mau Trato e Negligência Parental: Do senso comum ao conhecimento científico. Coimbra: Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia.

Cancrini, L., Gregório, F., & Nocerino, S. (1997). Las familias multiproblemáticas. In M. Coletti, J. L. Linares (comp.), La intervención sistémica en los servicios sociales ante la família multiproblemática, la experiência de Ciutat Vella (pp. 45-82). Barcelona, Paidós.

Corcoran, J. & Nichols-Casebolt, A. (2004). Risk and Resilience Ecological Framework for Assessment and Goal Formulation. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, vol. 2, 3, pp. 211-235.
Fulmer, R. (1989). Lower-income and professional families: a comparison of structure and life cycle processes. In Carter, B.& McGoldrick, M.(eds.) The Changing family life cycle: A framework for family therapy. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Fuster, E. & Ochoa, G. (2000). Psicologia Social de la Familia. Barcelona, Paidós.

Linares, J. L. (1997). Modelo sistémico y familia multiproblemática. In M. Coletti, J. L. Linares (comp.), La intervención sistémica en los servicios sociales ante la família multiproblemática, la experiência de Ciutat Vella (pp. 23-44). Barcelona, Paidós.

Minuchin, P., Colapinto, J., & Minuchin, S. (1998). Working with Families of the Poor. New York: Minuchin, S. (1982). Famílias, Funcionamento & Tratamento. Porto Alegre: Editora Artes Médicas Sul LTDA. Edição Original, 1974.

Minuchin, S., Montalvo, B., Guerney, B., Rosman, B., & Schumer, F. (1967). Families of the slums: an exploration of their structure and treatment. New York: Basic Books.

Neto, L. M. (1996). Familias Pobres y Multiasistidas. In Millán, M. (dir.), Psicologia de la familia – un enfoque evolutivo y sistémico (vol. 1, pp. 201-227). Valência: Promolibro.

Pecnik, N., Daly, M. & Lalière, C. (2006). Towards a Vision of Parenting in the Best Interest of the Child. Council of Europe, Parenting in Contemporary Europe – Committee of Experts on Children and Families Positive Draft report to the CS-EF (não publicado).

Relvas, A.P. (2000). O ciclo vital da Família. Porto: Edições afrontamento.

Ribeiro, M. T. (1997). Psicologia da família: A emergência de uma nova disciplina. In Marchand, H.; Pinto, H. R.(1997). Família – Contributos da Psicologia e das ciências da educação, Lisboa: EDUCA.

Sousa, L. (2005). Famílias Multiproblemáticas. Coimbra: Quarteto.

Sousa, L., Hespanha, P., Rodrigues, S., & Grilo, P. (2007). Famílias Pobres: Desafios à intervenção. Lisboa: Climepsi.

Voidanoff, P. & Donnelly, B. W. (1998). ‘Parents’ risk and protective factores of parental well-being and behavior’. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 60: 344-355.

Share

Search

Index - News # 16 | ago/set. 2010
 Editorial Note
 Cultural Soirée Commemorative of the 100th Anniversary of the Faculty of Medicine of the University
 Launch of the Electronic Staff Attendance Register at the Faculty of Medicine UL
 New members in the Editorial Team
 Molecular Medicine Institute (IMM) Researchers identify a new cell population of the immune system with therapeutic potential 
 Welcome II Programme
 FMUL welcomes new students
 Characterization – Psychiatry University Clinic from the Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon
 III Forum of Obesity Prevention Projects
 Medical Research in Portugal: Opportunities and Constraints
 Launching of the Book “”O meu amigo, o sono” (sleep, my friend)
 Book of the Month
 Master Degree in Diagnostic Technology and Cardiovascular Intervention – 2nd Edition
 Scientific Research Projects for Students
 Academic Examinations at the Faculty Of Medicine of The University Of Lisbon
 Publications FMUL/HSM/IMM
 Lecturers’ Participation in Academic Examinations Panels in other institutions
 Ongoing Training Courses at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon
 Instituto de Medicina Molecular Seminars
 PhD Students 2010
 Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and Bioethics
 Propensity towards Victimization: is it possible to diminish it?
 Exhibition of a Future Essay – Transformation, Creativity, and Art
 Parenthood in Multi-Problem Families
 Current Indications of Clinical Hypnosis
 The Issue on Rabdomyolisis
 Self-injury, self-mutilation, and self-aggression. The same definition?
 Day Hospital of the Psychiatry and Mental Health Unit of the Neuroscience Department of CHLN
 Bipolar Disease and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in childhood
 Emotion and falling ill –Ongoing Research Projects
 Researching Science and Health
 Hospital, Scientific and Pedagogical Indicators of the Psychiatry and Mental Health Unity
 7th AstraZeneca Foundation / Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon Research Grant
 Research: Instructions Handbook – 6 October
 European Depression Day (Portugal) October 2010
 JIMBA – Lower Alentejo Medical Internship Encounters – 8- 9 October 2010
 1st PAM (Porto’s Autoimmune Meeting) – 8 and 9 November
 Scientific and Technological Cooperation Competition – 15 October
 Cycle of Conferences on Health Technologies for Primary Health Care – 19 October 2010
 From Cardiac Insufficiency to Pulmonary Thromboembolism – 22 October
 28th Brazilian Congress in Psychiatry (CBP) – 27-30 October
 6th Psychiatry National Congress – 6-8 December 2010
My Company

100 AnosPropriedade e Edição: Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa NIPC: 502662875  Periodicidade: Mensal  Diretor: Prof. Doutor Fausto J. Pinto Conselho Editorial: Prof. Doutor Fausto J. Pinto, Profª. Doutora Ana Sebastião, Prof. Doutor Mamede de Carvalho, Prof. Doutor António Vaz Carneiro, Prof. Doutor Miguel Castanho, Dr. Luís Pereira  Equipa Editorial:  Ana Raquel Moreira, Cristina Bastos, Isabel Varela, Joana Sousa, Maria de Lurdes Barata, Rui Gomes, Sónia Teixeira  Colaboração:  Gabinete de Relações Públicas, Internacionais e Comunicação  Versão Inglesa: AP|PORTUGAL- Language Services  Conceção: Metatexto, Lda. e-mail: news@medicina.ulisboa.pt  Sede do Editor e Sede da Redação: Avenida Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa Estatuto Editorial Anotado na ERC 

  • Increase Font
  • Decrease Font
  • Black & White
  • Inverse Colors
  • Highlight Links
  • Regular Font
  • Reset
Real Accessability