Structural Assessment Of The Family In The Film To The Bone

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Family Assessment Family assessment, according to Wright and Leahey (2013), consists of three major components — structural, developmental, and functional. Through these three components, important and relevant data can be gathered. The same components can also help identify the strengths and weaknesses of the family. Below is the breakdown of Ellen’s family in CFAM. Structural Assessment Structural assessment of the family includes several subcategories. They include the internal family, the external family, and the social context (Wright & Leahey, 2013). The movie, To the Bone (2017), is a drama that deals with some major family issues. However, the details of the family structure are little defined in the film. In terms of internal family, Ellen’s family consists of five characters – Ellen, her step-mother who is married to her father, her step-sister, and her real mother who is a lesbian. The main character, Ellen (Eli) is a 20-year-old college drop-out who is suffering from anorexia nervosa. Susan is Ellen’s step-mother and is the caregiver of the house. Ellen’s father, Jack, is the financial supporter. Jack has never appeared on the scene because of his demanding work. Kelly, Ellen’s step-sister, who cares, but exhausted about Ellen’s physical being. Ellen’s real mother, Judy, came out as a lesbian when …show more content…

With Ellen’s ongoing problem, Judy and Olive decide to send her to her father at the age of 18. Judy hopelessly feels that she cannot do anything to stop Ellen from starving herself. Living with Susan, who is talkative in personality, Ellen has been sent multiple times to several different in-patient programs. However, Ellen keeps failing to make any progress. In the end, Susan sets Ellen up with a specialist, who then helps Ellen overcome her disorder. The step-sister, Kelly, appears to be a supportive person, but helpless in terms of Ellen’s

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