National Counselor Exam (NCE)

A 10-year-old boy who avoids interaction with his family is showing signs of what behavior, according to Minuchin?

1. Engagement with the family

2. Overinvolvement in activities

3. Disengagement from the family

4. Alliance with siblings only

The correct answer is: Disengagement from the family

The behavior exhibited by the 10-year-old boy, who avoids interaction with his family, aligns with the concept of disengagement as described by Salvador Minuchin, a prominent figure in family therapy. Disengagement refers to a situation where an individual maintains emotional distance from family members, resulting in a lack of intimacy and connection within the family dynamics. In this case, the boy's avoidance signifies that he is not engaging with his family, which can lead to feelings of isolation and an incomplete family system. Disengagement can arise from various issues, such as conflict, lack of communication, or emotional unavailability among family members. It is a critical concept in understanding family structures, as it highlights how individual behaviors can affect family relationships and overall functioning. The other choices do not accurately describe the boy's behavior. Engagement with the family suggests active participation and interaction, which is contrary to avoidance. Overinvolvement in activities indicates a high level of participation, often leading to enmeshment rather than disengagement. Lastly, forming an alliance with siblings only implies a connection and interaction within that subset of the family, which does not reflect the avoidance behavior shown by the boy. Therefore, disengagement aptly captures the essence of his interactions—or lack thereof—with