Using the family life cycle with later life families

Benbow, Susan M.; Egan, Dave; Marriott, Alison; Tregay, Kath; Walsh, Stuart; Wells, Jude; Wood, Jane L.

doi:10.1046/j..1990.00400.x

Cited by 23 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…Although Van Amburg and colleagues (1996) reported on a number of theoretical approaches used with older adults including, the family life cycle (Benbow et al, 1990: Van Amburg et al, 1996, contextual family therapy (Anderson & Hargrave, 1990), and the strength-vulnerability model (Shields & Wynn, 1997), these theoretical approaches were not often reported in the current study. In addition, solution focused theory was commonly reported by clinicians in this study, yet scarcely found in the literature in relation to later life issues (for exceptions, see Bonjean, 1997;Ronch & Goldfield, 2003).…”

Section: Theories Techniques and Client Age Differencescontrasting

confidence: 57%

Aging and Family Therapy: Exploring The Training and Knowledge of Family Therapists

Yorgason

Miller

White

2009

UAFT

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Section: Theories Techniques and Client Age Differencescontrasting

confidence: 57%

Aging and Family Therapy: Exploring The Training and Knowledge of Family Therapists

Yorgason

Miller

White

2009

UAFT

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“…15 This contributes to their lack of engagement with, and sense of invalidation by, health care professionals and even their own carers, amongst whom they perceive a strong sense of helplessness. Taking a systemic perspective, 16 these appear to be echoes of frustration and hopelessness within the system, which we suggest acts synergistically to reinforce the patient's sense of invalidation and hopelessness. 7 There were similarities between themes of communication difficulties which emerged in relation to both carers and health professionals.…”

Section: Shared Shame and Stigmamentioning

confidence: 72%

“…20 16 Family therapy may be under-utilized for older people, despite established associations between interpersonal conflict and mental distress. In younger people, suicide communication preceding suicide attempts triggers anger, hopelessness, and fear in significant others and may unearth the carer's own psychic conflicts.…”

Section: Shared Shame and Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In younger people, suicide communication preceding suicide attempts triggers anger, hopelessness, and fear in significant others and may unearth the carer's own psychic conflicts. 16, 25 Benbow and Sharman 22 suggest a pyramid starting with family therapy techniques, progressing to formal family therapy in dementia practice, depending on need. 16,22,25 Family approaches may highlight the potential roles of family members across generations and stages of the life cycle in understanding the cause and maintenance of problems, such as self-harm in the older person, as well as inform treatment.…”

Section: Shared Shame and Stigmamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Carer insights into self‐harm in the very old: A qualitative study

Wand

Peisah

Draper

et al. 2019

Int J Geriat Psychiatry

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Objective To examine the insights of carers to better understand self‐harm in their older relatives. Methods An in‐depth interview was conducted with the nominated relative/friend (carer) of a person over 80 who had self‐harmed within the last month. Carer interpretation and experience of the self‐harm and clinical care were explored qualitatively. Audio recordings were transcribed and the content thematically analyzed using N‐VIVO. Results Thirty‐two carers of 30 older people who self‐harmed were interviewed. Physical, social, and psychological issues were identified as contributory to self‐harm. Themes relating to the perceived barriers to seeking help included “they can't communicate,” “suicide and secrets,” and “invalidation.” Themes for the intent of self‐harm were “attention seeking” and “wanting to die.” Themes which emerged for consequences of self‐harm for carers were “anger,” “guilt and self‐blame,” and “it made us ill.” Themes for solutions to address the underlying factors leading to self‐harm were “more practical support and structure,” “improving communication,” “removing means of self‐harm,” “advance care directives as a solution for suffering,” and “ignoring self‐harm.” Clinical care themes were “shared shame and stigma,” “safety and supervision vs being locked up,” “clinicians dismissing the carer,” and “relief and support.” Conclusions Validation of carer perspectives and understanding family dynamics may improve communication at various system levels and inform interventions for older persons, concurrently support families, and potentially reduce risk of repeat self‐harm. Good care must be holistic, be person‐centred, and relieve carer burden. A shared understanding and psychotherapeutic approaches to management of self‐harm in late life should be considered.

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“…Interest in family therapy for later life families has been growing, and its use for the treatment of depressive illness has been described by Benbow (1990). Other fonns of counselling and support groups may be complementary to physical measures (i.e., drugs) taken to prevent relapse.…”

Section: S3 Social and Psychological Approaches To The Treatmellt mentioning

confidence: 99%