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    Roles: in Dysfunctional Families

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    melodyfathi
    The document discusses common roles that individuals take on in dysfunctional families, including the enabler, hero, scapegoat, lost child, and mascot. These roles can become stuck and resist change even when positive change is attempted. The roles are typically unhealthy ways of coping with family dysfunction.

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    Roles: in Dysfunctional Families

    Uploaded by

    melodyfathi
    55 views2 pages
    The document discusses common roles that individuals take on in dysfunctional families, including the enabler, hero, scapegoat, lost child, and mascot. These roles can become stuck and resist change even when positive change is attempted. The roles are typically unhealthy ways of coping with family dysfunction.

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    Dysfunctional

    Original Title

    732

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    The document discusses common roles that individuals take on in dysfunctional families, including the enabler, hero, scapegoat, lost child, and mascot. These roles can become stuck and resist change even when positive change is attempted. The roles are typically unhealthy ways of coping with family dysfunction.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    55 views2 pages

    Roles: in Dysfunctional Families

    Uploaded by

    melodyfathi
    The document discusses common roles that individuals take on in dysfunctional families, including the enabler, hero, scapegoat, lost child, and mascot. These roles can become stuck and resist change even when positive change is attempted. The roles are typically unhealthy ways of coping with family dysfunction.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 2

    Roles in Dysfunctional

    Families
    In all family systems, individuals take on roles. However, unlike healthy families
    where roles may change as people grow, in unhealthy systems, individuals are stuck
    in their roles. Sometimes attempts to change roles may be met with resistance even
    when the change is positive, like when an addict tries to get clean.
    Discover the most common roles in dysfunctional families.

    + The Enabler/Caretaker
    The enabler takes on the problems and responsibilities
    of the problem parent and is seen in families where one
    parent has a significant mental health problem or addiction.
    The enabler works to ensure that the parent never faces
    consequences, which typically does not lead to change
    or improvement.

    + The Hero/Golden Child


    The hero works hard to make the family look normal and acts as
    a confidante to one of the parents. They feel the need to always
    be strong and brave. Their compulsive need to succeed and
    perfectionism tend toward stress-related illness and overwork
    as well as anxiety from trying to live up to high expectations.

    www.theraplatform.com
    + The Scapegoat
    The Scapegoat often comes to therapy as the identified
    patient and is considered the troublemaker or the rebel.
    They are perceived as defiant, angry and vocal about family
    dynamics. In reality, this role is often the most candid about
    the family situation where others may be trying to cover up
    the dysfunction. Oftentimes, Scapegoats are emotionally
    abused and tend toward shallow relationships. They may
    also seek (negative) attention.

    + The Lost Child


    The lost child is sometimes known as the quiet one or the
    dreamer. Their coping method is to withdraw to avoid family
    interactions to stay away from the chaos. Because they tend to
    be shy and lonely, they often lack good communication skills,
    struggle with intimacy, and deny that they have strong feelings
    or that they get upset.

    + The Family Mascot


    The mascot may also be called the clown. They use humor to
    entertain, interrupt tension, and make others feel better,
    however, this does not repair damage. Instead, it deflects from
    what is going on temporarily. Often as these individuals grow
    up, they become involved with others in need of ‘saving’ and try
    to overcome their guilt and low self-worth by pleasing people.

    www.theraplatform.com

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