Structural and Functional Variables in Incest Family Systems Implications for Assessment and Treatment (From Treating Incest - A Multimodal Systems Perspective, P 27-52, 1986, Terry S Trepper and Mary Jo Barrett, eds. See NCJ-103020)

• NCJ Number: 103022
• Author(s): N L Larson; J W Maddock
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 26 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper focuses on systemic variables in incest, examining structural and functional factors suggestive of steps in assessing and treating incest cases.

Abstract

The structural analysis of incest is based in Larson's (1980) concept that incest reflects disturbances in four 'boundary' areas: the boundary between the family and its social environment, the boundary between adult and child generations in the family, interpersonal/role boundaries between family members, and intrapsychic boundaries within family members. A 'boundary' delineates the organizational wholeness of a given system. Incest reflects a family system that is relatively closed, undifferentiated, and rigid in both structure and function. The functional typology of incest families identifies four basic functions in interpersonal exchanges: the affectional process, the erotic process, the aggression process, and the rage-expression process. When placed on a continuum and integrated with other functional variables, this typology is useful in assessing and treating incestuous families. The particular meaning and function of the incestuous behavior in a given system must be addressed in planning treatment and evaluating its effectiveness. 28 references.