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A Use of Social Exchange Theory in Family Crisis Intervention *
Author(s) -
Brown Arthur H.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
journal of marital and family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.868
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1752-0606
pISSN - 0194-472X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-0606.1975.tb00093.x
Subject(s) - social exchange theory , crisis intervention , intervention (counseling) , psychology , social psychology , family therapy , empirical research , crisis response , psychotherapist , public relations , political science , psychiatry , epistemology , philosophy
This paper explores the practical application of social exchange theory in conceptualizing a working hypothesis in family crisis intervention. It is hypothesized that the range of exchange content in a family crisis situation is proportional to the frequency of negative communication. The contention is made that offering specific behavioral exchange equivalents to family members based on need‐response patterns allows for resolution of the family conflict. A case example illustrates support for the hypothesis and implications for future empirical research in family crisis studies are noted.