PYC4808 Assignment 3 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE 17 September 2025
Course
Ecosystemic psychology (PYC4808)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
Family Therapy
PYC4808 Assignment 3 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE 17 September 2025; 100% TRUSTED
Complete, trusted solutions and explanations.
Case Study: The Jackson Family Background: The Jackson family consists of three generations:
the grandparents (George (71) and Evelyn Jackson (65)), their son (David Jackson, 45), his wife
(Laura Jackson, 41), and their two children—Jake (17) and Lily (13). Laura’s father, Peter, is 70
and lives in a retirement village. Her mother passed a year ago, at age 68. The family lives in a
suburban area in Pinetown. Jake was referred to psychotherapy by his school counsellor due to
signs of depression, declining academic performance, and increasing social withdrawal over the
past six months. Jake, currently in matric (grade 12), had previously been a high-achieving
student and athlete. However, over the past 6 months, his grades have dropped significantly, he
has quit the cricket team, and has become increasingly isolated. He spends most of his time in
his room, gaming or sleeping, and has little interaction with family or peers. Jake has also
expressed feelings of hopelessness and meaninglessness. He denies suicidal ideation but
reports chronic fatigue and difficulty concentrating. His parents, David and Laura, brought him
to a family therapist at the urging of the school, although David initially expressed scepticism
about psychotherapy. Family History: George Jackson (71) is a retired military officer,
emotionally reserved, highly disciplined, and authoritative. George had little involvement in
raising his children emotionally but emphasised obedience, order, and achievement. Evelyn
Jackson (65) was always a stay at home wife and mother, more emotionally expressive than
George but often deferential to his authority. She took on the emotional caretaking of the
children but struggled with anxiety and chronic health issues. George tended to make the rules
in the family, with little resistance from Evelyn. David Jackson (45) is an only child, and is a
mechanical engineer, is pragmatic and focused on problem-solving, often emotionally distant.
He grew up striving to meet his father's standards and rarely received praise or emotional
validation. David has a perfectionistic streak and struggles with expressing emotions. Laura
Jackson (41) is a schoolteacher. She is warm and nurturing but tends to over-function in the
, family, often absorbing the emotional needs of her children and spouse. Laura comes from a
family with a history of enmeshment and covert emotional loyalty. She is often the mediator in
family conflicts and takes on the role of peacekeeper. Jake Jackson (17) is described as highly
sensitive and introspective, with a history of perfectionism and high achievement. He is labelled
as the “family’s “golden child” until recently. Lily Jackson (13) is outgoing, socially active, and
does well in school. Appears well-adjusted but often makes dismissive comments about Jake’s
“moodiness” and seems to have adapted to being the
Presenting Problem
Client: Jake Jackson (17)
Referral Reason: Depression symptoms, academic decline, withdrawal from activities
and peers.
Symptoms:
o Social withdrawal
o Loss of interest (anhedonia)
o Academic decline
o Fatigue and difficulty concentrating
o Feelings of hopelessness and meaninglessness
o No suicidal ideation
🧩 Family Structure & Roles
Multigenerational Overview:
Grandfather (George): Authoritarian, emotionally distant. Set rigid standards of
achievement.
Grandmother (Evelyn): Anxious, emotionally available but passive. Played caretaker role
under George’s control.
Father (David): Internalized father's standards; emotionally distant, perfectionistic,
avoids vulnerability.
Mother (Laura): Over-functioning caretaker, emotionally attuned, peacekeeper.
Mediates family tensions.
Jake (client): Previously the high-achiever; sensitive, perfectionistic, currently in crisis.
Course
Ecosystemic psychology (PYC4808)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Book
Family Therapy
PYC4808 Assignment 3 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE 17 September 2025; 100% TRUSTED
Complete, trusted solutions and explanations.
Case Study: The Jackson Family Background: The Jackson family consists of three generations:
the grandparents (George (71) and Evelyn Jackson (65)), their son (David Jackson, 45), his wife
(Laura Jackson, 41), and their two children—Jake (17) and Lily (13). Laura’s father, Peter, is 70
and lives in a retirement village. Her mother passed a year ago, at age 68. The family lives in a
suburban area in Pinetown. Jake was referred to psychotherapy by his school counsellor due to
signs of depression, declining academic performance, and increasing social withdrawal over the
past six months. Jake, currently in matric (grade 12), had previously been a high-achieving
student and athlete. However, over the past 6 months, his grades have dropped significantly, he
has quit the cricket team, and has become increasingly isolated. He spends most of his time in
his room, gaming or sleeping, and has little interaction with family or peers. Jake has also
expressed feelings of hopelessness and meaninglessness. He denies suicidal ideation but
reports chronic fatigue and difficulty concentrating. His parents, David and Laura, brought him
to a family therapist at the urging of the school, although David initially expressed scepticism
about psychotherapy. Family History: George Jackson (71) is a retired military officer,
emotionally reserved, highly disciplined, and authoritative. George had little involvement in
raising his children emotionally but emphasised obedience, order, and achievement. Evelyn
Jackson (65) was always a stay at home wife and mother, more emotionally expressive than
George but often deferential to his authority. She took on the emotional caretaking of the
children but struggled with anxiety and chronic health issues. George tended to make the rules
in the family, with little resistance from Evelyn. David Jackson (45) is an only child, and is a
mechanical engineer, is pragmatic and focused on problem-solving, often emotionally distant.
He grew up striving to meet his father's standards and rarely received praise or emotional
validation. David has a perfectionistic streak and struggles with expressing emotions. Laura
Jackson (41) is a schoolteacher. She is warm and nurturing but tends to over-function in the
, family, often absorbing the emotional needs of her children and spouse. Laura comes from a
family with a history of enmeshment and covert emotional loyalty. She is often the mediator in
family conflicts and takes on the role of peacekeeper. Jake Jackson (17) is described as highly
sensitive and introspective, with a history of perfectionism and high achievement. He is labelled
as the “family’s “golden child” until recently. Lily Jackson (13) is outgoing, socially active, and
does well in school. Appears well-adjusted but often makes dismissive comments about Jake’s
“moodiness” and seems to have adapted to being the
Presenting Problem
Client: Jake Jackson (17)
Referral Reason: Depression symptoms, academic decline, withdrawal from activities
and peers.
Symptoms:
o Social withdrawal
o Loss of interest (anhedonia)
o Academic decline
o Fatigue and difficulty concentrating
o Feelings of hopelessness and meaninglessness
o No suicidal ideation
🧩 Family Structure & Roles
Multigenerational Overview:
Grandfather (George): Authoritarian, emotionally distant. Set rigid standards of
achievement.
Grandmother (Evelyn): Anxious, emotionally available but passive. Played caretaker role
under George’s control.
Father (David): Internalized father's standards; emotionally distant, perfectionistic,
avoids vulnerability.
Mother (Laura): Over-functioning caretaker, emotionally attuned, peacekeeper.
Mediates family tensions.
Jake (client): Previously the high-achiever; sensitive, perfectionistic, currently in crisis.
