Applying Structural Family Therapy with a Mexican-American Family with Children with Disabilities: A Case Study of a Single-Parent Mother

Abstract

An illustration of one Mexican-American family headed by a single-parent mother is explored to depict the application of Structural Family Therapy. Familism and marianismo are examined as factors impacting healthy family functioning of Mexican and Mexican-American families. Interventions used with the family were joining, structural mapping, enactment and addressing disability and medical related concerns. Learning to create healthy boundaries between parent and children, addressing maternal depression and family economic stressors, and nurturing sibling relationships were areas that impacted this family. Further research is suggested into the application of Structural Family Therapy as a model when working with Mexican and Mexican-American families who have a child with a disability.