Mobilizing Resources in Multifamily Groups

Abstract

Summary “Multifamily groups have been used as therapeutic as well as preventive strategies to foster family adjustment in the aftermath of cumulative stressors related to a sequence of violence and war, migration and resettlement. In this chapter, the challenges refugee families face in host countries are described. Familial relationships have changed in response to disruption, the coping responses of its members and the reactions of the social surroundings, being either supportive or excluding. Posttraumatic stress responses and resettlement stress can undermine parental functioning. Multifamily (MF) therapy combining group and family interventions opens up possibilities for strengthening positive family adaptation, enhancing functional parenting, parent-child relations and inter- and intrafamilial support. MF groups can be tailored according to problems, longer- or short-term therapeutic and preventive interventions, open or closed groups, and organized in different settings. Various interactive and playful activities are available to help parents support other parents. The strategies involved in conducting multifamily groups are described in this chapter, and examples are given.”