Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Family systems theory emphasizes the importance of examining multigenerational contexts of the individual, family, and sociocultural influences when trying to understand dysfunctional behavior patterns. Problems arise when individuals and families encounter transition points without the ability to adapt to the changing condition, symptoms emerge as indicators that the family system is unable to move on to the next stage. The following analysis of Black Swan will examine how the protagonist’s learned patterns of interaction develop into problematic behaviors in the midst of instrumental events depicted in the film. As vertical stressors of societal expectations and family patterns of enmeshment intersect with the horizontal stressors of accomplishing the critical life tasks of young adulthood, Nina experiences extreme distress. Her attempts to cope with the demands of these stressors are maladaptive and eventually lead to her death.

Keywords

family systems theory social expectations enmeshment movie family counseling

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Brandsma

(2007). Eating disorders across the life span. Journal of Women and Aging, 19, 155–172.

Carter

McGoldrick

(Eds.). (1989). The changing family life cycle: A framework for family therapy (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Dermer

S. B.

Hutchings

J. B.

(2000). Utilizing movies in family therapy: Applications for individuals, couples, and families. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 28, 163–180.

Ferguson

Munoz

Contreras

Velasquez

(2011). Mirror, mirror on the wall: Peer competition, television influences, and body image dissatisfaction. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 30, 458–483.

Fredrickson

B. L.

Roberts

(1997). Objectification theory: Toward understanding women’s lived experiences and mental health risks. Psychology of Women, 21, 173–206.

Goldenberg

(2008). Family development: Continuity and change. In Flemming

(Ed.), Family therapy: An overview (7th ed., pp. 25–53). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

McGoldrick

Shibusawa

(2012). The family life cycle. In Walsh

(Ed.), Normal family processes: Growing diversity and complexity (4th ed., pp. 375–398). New York, NY: Guilford.

Midlarsky

Nitzburg

(2008). Eating disorders in middle-aged women. The Journal of General Psychology, 135, 393–407.

Nichols

M. P.

(2008). Chapter 4: The fundamental concepts of family therapy. In: Quinlin

Warner

(Eds.), Family therapy: Concepts and methods (8th ed. pp. 97–114). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

10.

Nixon

Greene

Hogan

D. M.

(2012). Negotiating relationships in single-mother households: Perspectives of children and mothers. Family Relations, 61, 142–156.

11.

Strauss

E. S.

Karpel

M. A.

(1977). The theory and practice of family evaluation. Keene, NH: Institute for Continuing Professional Studies, Antioch-New England Graduate School.

12.

Taibbi

(1996). Doing family therapy. New York, NY: Guilford.

13.

Thompson

Stice

(2001). Thin-ideal internalization: Mounting evidence for a new risk factor for body-image disturbance and eating pathology. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 10, 181–183.

14.

Van Staden

Myburgh

Poggenpoel

(2009). A psycho-educational model to enhance the self-development and mental health of classical dancers. Journal of Dance Medicine & Science, 13, 20–28.

15.

Vartanian

(2009). When the body defines the self: Self-concept clarity, Internalization, and body image. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 28, 94–126.

16.

Wachtel

E. F.

Wachtel

P. L.

(1986). Family dynamics in individual psychotherapy. New York, NY: Guilford.

The Portrayal of Black Swan Through a Multicontexual Framework

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References