Systems theory describes the “family” as the individual members, the family as a whole, and the interactions that the family has with their environment (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2012). It considers how the interrelated family interacts with other systems, and how what happens to each family member affects other family members (Zastrow & Kirst-Ashman, 2012). Expanding on systems theory, ecological perspective analyzes how well the individual fits in their environment based on the assumption that when a person is connected and engaged within a supportive environment, functioning is healthy (Germain & Bloom, 1999). Adaptiveness relates to an individual’s ability to fit well within the environment and to be effective in that environment (Robbins,…show more content… System theory emphasizes the need for Carol and Jeff to establish boundaries in their parent and child relationship. By expanding on systems theory, the ecological perspective places and emphasis on the person in environment relationship to be one that is mutually influential and reciprocal in terms of interface (Greene, 1999). It offers an in-depth approach for identifying characteristics of the individual micro system by exploring human behavior within mezzo-, macro-, and exo-systems. In application with family, the microsystem involves what takes place in the immediate household, the exosystem involves the larger social system of the family, and the macrosystem involves the family's relevant cultural beliefs and values (Levendosky & Graham-Bermann, 2001). Lack of social support and negative life events each relate to women’s psychological functioning, particularly when there is a history of abusive relationships (Levendosky & Graham-Bermann, 2001). Some of Carol’s psychological reactions may be explained through her lack of social support systems in her environment, including family and
