Introduction
A hypothetical situation occurs in the movie Encanto, in which the principal character, Mirabel, expresses concern about her behavior. They are worried about her increasingly defiant behavior and lack of interest in the family’s traditions and responsibilities. The therapist must conduct a qualified systemic assessment of family members to develop a comprehensive intervention plan.
To collect information, standardized profiles can be used to monitor behavior and conduct clinical interviews with family members. These system assessment tools are necessary for a clear understanding of the behavior of family members. Therefore, this paper will discuss the list of recognized developmental, interpersonal, and neurobiological concerns, risk variables, and the period of the family’s life cycle regarding Encanto.
Review
Developmental Challenges
Mirabel is a teenager navigating typical developmental struggles, including increasing her level of autonomy. She is attempting to determine who she is and her place in the family, society, and the world at large (Russon, 2015). Her parents cannot provide her with support that takes into account the increasing autonomy she is demonstrating. Mirabel is the only member of her family with no talent or ability.
Family Life Cycle Stage
The term ‘family life cycle’ refers to the progression of events that occur inside a family, beginning with its formation and continuing all the way through to its dissolution. The beginning of a relationship, the birth of children, the transition of children into adulthood, and finally, the aging of family members are all stages that comprise the life cycle of a family (Henriksen et al., 2023). Understanding the various stages of the family life cycle is essential to providing effective interventions that cater to the specific needs.
The family depicted in Encanto is in the middle of the family life cycle stage, known as ‘children leaving home and establishing their own lives’. As the parents attempt to navigate the shifting dynamics of their family, they feel a sense of loss and unpredictability (Katz, 2022). The fact that Mirabel is trying to establish her own identity and relationships outside of the family may contribute to the appearance of her defiant conduct at this stage in her development.
The stage of the family life cycle known as ‘launching’ is the stage that the family that lives in Encanto is currently in (Gambrel, 2016). At this point, the children have moved out, and the parents have started adapting to their new circumstances. With this newfound knowledge, the therapist will be better equipped to assist the parents in successfully navigating this stage of the child’s development.
Cultural Norms and Values
The family in Encanto belongs to a unique culture, and their behavior and relations with each other are invariably related to the cultural environment in which the characters grew up. Taking cultural aspects into account will enable us to understand what causes difficulties in intrafamilial communication and where they originateâwhether from culture in general or from other aspects of the problem. Ethical aspects must also be considered when working with this family, as it is essential to take into account their internal dynamics.
When working with a large family, it is essential to establish clear confidentiality boundaries to prevent all children from sharing sensitive treatment information. In addition, it is essential to consider cultural characteristics and practices to ensure that the therapist does not impose their own habits on others. An example of this would be offering therapy to the Madrigal family, which would be religiously unacceptable. Additionally, creating a comfortable environment that excludes bullying and insults between family members will be an important aspect.
Interactions and Dynamics Within the Family
The dynamics and interactions within the family can provide incredibly valuable information about the functioning of the family unit as a whole. Certain members of the Madrigal family possess special abilities, which can impact the relationships other family members have (Russon, 2015). The therapist will be better able to identify areas of strength and regions that still require development after being aware of these interconnections, which will enable the therapist to more effectively detect areas that still require development. Interventions should take place comprehensively since family members have communication problems and need general therapy. This theory is suitable for the Enanto family, as they experience significant difficulties and conflicts within their family system.
Individual Growth
Every member of the Madrigal family has a unique set of requirements and many avenues along which they can progress. Some members have difficulty adjusting to their extraordinary abilities, which may impact their maturity (Siegel, 2015). By employing developmental theories, the therapist can gain a deeper understanding of these issues and provide more effective interventions based on that understanding.
Individual development is the continual process of change that occurs in a person’s physical, mental, emotional, and social traits from birth through adulthood. The phrase “individual development” characterizes this process. Various factors significantly influence an individual’s growth and development (Russon, 2015). One needs an in-depth understanding of how people grow and develop over time for interventions to succeed with individuals.
Neurobiology in Interpersonal Relationships
Interpersonal neurobiology is the study of how our early memories and relationships have a long-lasting impact on our cognitive, emotional, and social development (Siegel, 2015). When discussing interpersonal neurobiology, we emphasize the importance of attachment and the impact of the caregiver on the developing brain. The field of neuroscience can shed light on the biological factors that underpin behavior and interactions.
In Encanto, the unique powers possessed by certain family members can be rationalized using neurological principles (Russon, 2015). If the therapist understands these concerns, it will be easier for them to pinpoint areas of concern and provide appropriate interventions. When evaluating a family’s problems and proposing solutions, the therapist needs to consider the family’s cultural background and the developmental stage of its members (Siegel, 2015). This can assist the therapist in developing suitable therapies and gaining a deeper grasp of the family’s functioning.
Systematic Evaluation of Parent-Child Interactions
One legal requirement when working with this family is maintaining complete confidentiality and non-disclosure of treatment information to third parties. Additionally, when a family member is a minor, a permit for treatment from their parent or guardian is required. A “systemic assessment of child and family interactions” could be referred to as a method of evaluating the health of a family as a whole rather than just its individual members.
Relationships and exchanges within the family and the family’s broader social and cultural context are considered (Siegel, 2015). Systemic assessment is most effective when it is done collaboratively, involving all family members, and acknowledging each family member’s strengths and problems. Effective interventions require knowledge of individual development and systemic assessment of child and family connections.
Child Development Concerns and Possible Causes
Developmental issues can occur at any age, affecting children’s physical, cognitive, social, or emotional development. For young children, difficulties may arise in areas of development such as motor skills, language, or social interaction (Gambrel et al., 2016). It is not unusual for adolescents to experience difficulties with their schooling, self-confidence, or peer relationships in class.
The Madrigal Family
Alma Madrigal is the matriarch of the Madrigal family in Encanto. Readers learn that she began her life with Pedro Madrigal, but their romance was cut short not long after the delivery of their triplets due to the Thousand Days War, which ravaged Colombia in the 1950s (McGrotty, 2022; Figure 1). Abuelo lacks magical abilities, but she acts as a beacon for her family, keeping them all in order.
Isabela, Luisa, and Mirabel Madrigal
Isabela, Luisa, and Mirabel, Julieta, and Agustn’s kids are sisters with distinct characteristics. Isabela, nicknamed ‘the ideal and beautiful one,’ can generate flowers and plants with her thoughts alone (McGrotty, 2022). Luisa possesses superhuman powers, which she routinely employs to help around the Casa and the community. On the other hand, Mirabel was not bestowed with a magical ability (McGrotty, 2022). Throughout the film, she reveals more and more of a talent designed to keep the Madrigal family together.
Bruno Madrigal
Bruno Madrigal, the youngest of the triplets, is a complex character. He spends years in seclusion until he is apprehended in Encanto. Despite certain character flaws, such as uncertainty, he still wishes the best for his family (McGrotty, 2022). He can look into the future, which is both a curse and a blessing.
Dolores, Camilo, and Antonio Madrigal
Dolores, Camilo, and Antonio, Pepa and FĂŠlix’s kids, are siblings of varying ages, talents, and personalities. Dolores has extraordinary hearing and can hear even the faintest murmur from across the hamlet. Camilo can transform into any individual, which is frequently employed for humorous effect throughout “Encanto” (McGrotty, 2022). Antonio’s new gift enables him to converse with animals, and he is the youngest member of the Madrigal family.
Julieta
Julieta, Abuela Alma’s oldest triplet, exudes a loving aura that matches her ability to prepare food that can cure. This is evident when her husband, Agustn, suffers injuries that she can treat with magical meals (McGrotty, 2022). She and her husband had three important children in “Encanto”: Luisa, Mirabel, and Isabela. (McGrotty, 2022). After Alma, Julieta is the next in line to lead the Madrigal family, and her kind and attentive personality makes her ideal for the post.
Treatment Plan
Based on the study, the diagnosis can be identified as an underdeveloped family relationship, resulting in communication problems among family members. Additionally, there are issues with power dynamics and decision-making. In some cases, Alma’s excessive patronage and power harm her daughters. They may feel that their mother is neglecting their wants and needs, even though, from her point of view, she is acting in their best interests.
In addition, due to Alma’s excessive influence, Julieta feels unwanted, as if she has no right to an opinion. Therapeutic intervention should aim to adjust the relationship between relatives so they feel comfortable. Working with the whole family, both in a group and individually, will be necessary to achieve this.
The treatment plan should involve and be discussed with the kid’s family. This includes the child’s parents, siblings, grandparents, and anyone else responsible for caring for the child (Katz, 2022). The primary treatment strategy will be based on the interaction between the parent-child relationship and addressing the internal and external factors that hinder the resolution of the conflict. The family must accept and work through the fact that their expectations of the child’s behavior may not align with reality, potentially violating the child’s independence and desires (Dattilio et al., 2014).
The professional’s task is to assess the family’s activities within and outside of their cultural boundaries. The goal is to teach the family the basics of trusting their child and to develop an open dialogue in the parent-child relationship. These tactics will make significant progress in parenting in the future because the family learns about alternatives outside their culture (Dattilio et al., 2014). The systemic principle in interaction with the family is based on including each family member in the treatment.
The course of a person’s life and what they have gone through shape how they approach their work with families. For instance, if the therapist has been through a horrific event in their own life, they may be more able to relate to the child and the painful past that they share with their family (Thompson, 2022). Yet, the work that a therapist does with a family may be badly affected if the therapist has their own set of biases or prejudices that they bring into the relationship. For therapists to provide effective treatment that is objective to the family unit, they need to be aware of their own biases and work toward resolving them.
Conclusion
It would be beneficial for the Madrigal family to participate in a type of therapy that is compelling and culturally sensitive to the family’s specific requirements, such as the systems model of marriage and family therapy. Based on the analysis, collected information, and diagnoses, the therapist can develop a systemic intervention tailored to the cultural and ethnic features of the individual. In addition, the treatment plan must fully consider the strengths of family relations to build a system that allows them to influence problematic aspects.
Thus, the intervention should help eliminate conflict situations and foster healthy interpersonal relations. In this context, the therapist can employ methods such as reframing, compiling the genogram, and family modeling. This is an effective way to improve family members’ understanding of existing problems and accelerate their elimination.
References
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Katz, S. (2022). We need to talk about trauma: Integrating traumaâinformed practice into the family law classroom. Family Court Review, 60(4), 757â776. Web.
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Thompson, S. J. (2022). Encanto: The gift of family is magic enough. News Weekly, (3108), 26.