Incongruous Hierarchy is a concept in which therapy, and it attributes dysfunction to which pattern?

Incongruous Hierarchy is a concept in which therapy, and it attributes dysfunction to which pattern?

• A. Siblings using symptoms to influence parents
• B. Parents using children's symptoms to control children
• C. Children using symptoms to influence parents
• D. Grandparents influencing the family dynamics

Answer: (C)

Incongruous Hierarchy describes a dysfunctional family pattern seen in Strategic (brief) family therapy where the normal parent–child hierarchy is inverted. The child uses symptoms as a leverage to influence or dominate the parents, effectively controlling family interactions and avoiding parental authority. This is why the best description is that children use symptoms to influence parents—the symptom becomes a tool to maintain the current, dysfunctional power dynamics. Therapists aim to restore an appropriate hierarchy by interrupting these symptom-driven interactions and reestablishing clear parental boundaries.

Incongruous Hierarchy describes a dysfunctional family pattern seen in Strategic (brief) family therapy where the normal parent–child hierarchy is inverted. The child uses symptoms as a leverage to influence or dominate the parents, effectively controlling family interactions and avoiding parental authority. This is why the best description is that children use symptoms to influence parents—the symptom becomes a tool to maintain the current, dysfunctional power dynamics. Therapists aim to restore an appropriate hierarchy by interrupting these symptom-driven interactions and reestablishing clear parental boundaries.