title: Jamaican family structure: the paradox of normalcy.
abstract: The relationship between basic research, theory, and clinical work with families is conceptualized during a discussion of Jamaican family structure and the application of change theory to a clinical case of depression in a Jamaican woman. It was found that three types of family structure are prevalent in Jamaica. The European ideal of a patriarchal-patrifocal structure creates problems for working-class Jamaicans. General system theory provides support for a different model. Change theory is applied to resolve the paradox created by the European model.
mesh_terms: D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D003469:Culture; D004291:Dominance-Subordination; D005190:Family; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006801:Humans; D007563:Jamaica; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D012923:Social Class