Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems

Abstract

The Circumplex Model focuses on the three central dimensions of marital and family systems: cohesion, flexibility and communication. The major hypothesis of the Circumplex Model is that balanced couple and family systems tend to be more functional compared to unbalanced systems. In over 250 studies using the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales (FACES), a linear self-report measure, strong support has been found for this hypothesis. In several studies using the Clinical Rating Scale (CRS), a curvilinear observational measure, the hypothesis was also supported. These two assessment tools, the FACES and the CRS, are designed for research, clinical assessment and treatment planning with couples and families. OverviewThe Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems was developed in an attempt to bridge the gap that typically exists between research, theory and practice (Olson et al., 1989). The Circumplex Model is particularly useful for 'relational diagnosis' because it is system-focused and integrates three dimensions that have repeatedly been considered highly relevant in a variety of family theory models and family therapy approaches (see Table 1). The model, and the assessment instruments which have been developed from it, is specifically designed for clinical assessment, treatment planning and research on outcome effectiveness of marital and family therapy (Olson, , 1996.Family cohesion, flexibility and communication are the three dimensions in the Circumplex Model. These three dimensions emerged from a conceptual clustering of over fifty concepts developed to describe marital and family dynamics. Although some of these concepts have been used for decades (for instance, power and

Correlation between the Family Function Based on Circumplex Model and Students’ Internet Addiction in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2015

“…Families in balanced range of cohesion namely at 2 separated and connected levels in terms of cohesion, use different solutions in dealing with mental stress and manage stressful states better (Giauque, 2005) that according to the findings of current study, it seems about a quarter of studied families had the feature. The present study showed families of 20.2% of students were enmeshed (the fourth and last levels of cohesion in the family) in which intimacy is very high, loyalty is very high and finally a sense of dependence is high in individuals (Olson, 2000). At enmeshed level of cohesion, family members are interdependent.…”

“…At this level, individuals' intimacy and loyalty to each other is high and finally a sense of dependence between members is more than independency sense (Olson, 2000). Families in balanced range of cohesion namely at 2 separated and connected levels in terms of cohesion, use different solutions in dealing with mental stress and manage stressful states better (Giauque, 2005) that according to the findings of current study, it seems about a quarter of studied families had the feature.…”

“…The family at rigid adaptability level has autocratic leadership, rigid discipline, and a low role change, this level shows the lowest adaptability in the family. At the second level, leadership is divided in some cases, discipline is somewhat democratic, roles are stable and if necessary a change occurs in the family (Olson, 2000). At flexible level, leadership is democratic and individuals participate in decision-making equally (Mohammadi, 2015).…”

“…At flexible level, leadership is democratic and individuals participate in decision-making equally (Mohammadi, 2015). At the last level of adaptability, there is no leadership, role changes are emotional, discipline is varied and finally there are a lot of changes in the family, structured and flexible levels of adaptability highlight better and effective function of the family system and rigid and chaotic levels indicate problematic function of the family system (Olson, 2000).…”

“…At the second level, members spend most of their time apart, but in times of decision-making and/or in need of support come together again (Giauque, 2005). At the third level of cohesion, individuals' loyalty to each other is high and a sense of belonging among members is more than a sense of independence (Olson, 2000), at the last level of cohesion, family members depend on each other, in this case, there is little relationship with people outside the family (Giauque, 2005). Separated and connected levels are balanced levels of cohesion and cause optimized function.…”