The Psychology of Family: Its Role in Healthy Adult Development



Overview

We will explore the vital role that the family plays in shaping psychological development and emotional well-being across the lifespan with particular emphasis on healthy adult functioning.

Drawing from developmental psychology, family systems theory and attachment research, we examine how early family experiences influences identity formation, emotional relationships and resilience in adulthood. Furthermore, we will discuss some of the significance of early deprivation or parental failure on the developing child.

In addition, we will consider the evolving nature of family dynamics – such as cultural influences, changing roles and life transitions and how these contribute or hinder healthy adult functioning. These considerations are particularly pertinent, due to the rapid change and uncertainty of things in the contemporary world.  Families need to be able to create and provide its members with a ‘secure base’ in confronting future challenges and unexpected demands.

Through a combination of theoretical approaches, case analysis and other examples including movies and TV and an opportunity to engage in reflective practice, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to support individual and relational growth and resilience in both personal and professional contexts. In today’s world our relationships form the bedrock of our support system and ongoing sense of wellbeing.

This course is part of the Oxford University Summer School for Adults (OUSSA) programme.

Programme details

Seminars

Participants are taught in small seminar groups of up to 10 students, and receive two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor. 

Sunday

Seminar 1 and 2

An overall introduction to family psychology, adult development and systems theory from the perspective of relational psychology, which forms an integration of contemporary approaches to major theories of Psychotherapy.

We will discuss; Who is the ‘Adult’ in Adult Development? (Legal, Developmental, Psychological).

Psychological Importance of Family to Emotional Regulation, Identity formation and Relational Modelling.

Monday

Seminar 3 and 4

These two sessions will deal with the significance of Early Attachment Styles and their lifelong Influences from infancy to adulthood, while at the same time connecting the significance of early life to Parenting Styles and resultant Adult Outcomes.

Tuesday

Seminar 5 and 6

Sibling Dynamics and Peer Influences describe how these dynamics significantly influence the important capacity for forming partnerships, friendships and creating intimate relationships leading to marriage, the decision to create a family, have children together so becoming parents of the next generation as well as providing adults with reliable friendships and support in their own generation. 

Wednesday

Seminar 7 and 8

Family Transitions and the Lifecycle; the challenge of parenting of young children, adolescents and adults; ‘mid-life crisis’; ‘leaving home’; and importantly intergenerational patterns and transgenerational transmission. Various approaches to working with these issues like such as forms of family therapy, constellations and other explorations of traumatic events as well as those in previous generations.

Thursday

Seminar 9 and 10

Resilience and Family Support; Family Therapy, parenting groups and various therapeutic and community interventions as well as strengthening individuals in the system, freeing ‘identified patient’ in the system, or family businesses, another arena of family function or malfunctioning. Also the challenges presented by blended families, divorce and other systems designed and established along family lines although not necessarily by biologically related individuals.

Friday

Seminar 11 and 12

Contemporary Family Issues; Impact of Culture, Society and family history. Some of the other complexities related to modern medicine like IVF, transgender procedures will be mentioned here.

Revisiting Erikson’s stages particularly those later in Adult Life such as Generativity vs Stagnation and Wisdom vs., Despair— contemporary evaluation.

Integration, Reflection and Wrap-up; What have you learnt? 

Programme timetable

The daily timetable will normally be as follows:

Saturday

14.00–16.30 - Registration

16.30–17.00 - Orientation meeting

17.00–17.30 - Classroom orientation for tutor and students

17.30–18.00 - Drinks reception

18.00–20.00 - Welcome dinner

Sunday – Friday

09.00–10.30 - Seminar

10.30–11.00 - Tea/coffee break

11.00–12.30 - Seminar

12.30–13.30 - Lunch

13.30–18.00 - Afternoons are free for tutorials, individual study, course-related field trips or exploring the many places of interest in and around Oxford.

18.00–19.00 - Dinner (there is a formal gala dinner every Friday to close each week of the programme).

A range of optional social events will be offered throughout the summer school. These are likely to include: a quiz night, visit to historic pubs in Oxford, visit to Christ Church for Evensong and after-dinner talks and discussions.

Certification

Certificate of Attendance

All participants who complete the course will receive a physical Certificate of Attendance.

Digital badge

You will also be issued with an official digital badge of attendance. After the course, you will receive an email with a link and instructions on how to download this. You will be able to share this on social media and add to your email signature if you wish to do so.

Academic credit

OUSSA is an accredited summer school taught at undergraduate level; each one-week course carries 10 CATS (Credit Accumulation and Transfer Scheme) points at FHEQ (Framework for Higher Education Qualification) Level 4.

CATS points will be awarded to students who attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment to the required standard. Please see the 'assessment methods' section below for more details.

Certificate of Higher Education

Credit (CATS points) earned from OUSSA can be transferred towards our flexible Certificate of Higher Education. This part-time, award-bearing course lets you decide what, how and where you study by gaining credit from short courses, including short online courses, in-person weekly classes and OUSSA.

For full details, including transfering credit gained from OUSSA to the programme, see our Certificate of Higher Education programme page.

Fees

Description Costs
Fee Option 1 (Single en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) £2205.00
Fee Option 2 (Double en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) 1 person £2310.00
Fee Option 3 (Twin en suite - inc. Tuition and Meals) per person £1850.00
Fee Option 4 (No Accommodation - inc. Tuition, Lunch & Dinner) £1375.00

Funding

Concessionary rates are available on a non-residential basis for those that qualify. 

The concessionary fee is for non-residential attendance only; participants will then be responsible for finding their own accommodation. See full details including eligibility.

Payment

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

Course change administration fee: Please note that course transfers may be permitted in exceptional circumstances; however, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions, an administration fee of £50 will be charged.

Payment terms

  • If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking
  • If submitting an application form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date

Cancellations and refunds

Please see the terms and conditions for our open-access courses.

The Department cannot be held responsible for any costs you may incur in relation to travel or accommodation bookings as a result of a course cancellation, or if you are unable to attend the course for any other reason. You are advised to check the terms and conditions carefully and to purchase travel insurance.

Tutor

Dr Diana Shmukler

Dr Diana Shmukler is a Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychotherapy, teacher, supervisor and clinician. She has published and lectures widely giving workshops in the UK, Europe, Australia on Developmental Psychology, Psychotherapy, Supervision, Counselling and Consulting as well as working with individual clients.

Course aims

This course aims to:

  • Explore the psychological functions of family across the lifespan both for children and adults.
  • Understand how family structures, roles and dynamics influence mental and emotional wellbeing in adulthood.
  • Analyse the impact of parents’ history and parenting style, sibling relationships, intergenerational patterns and cultural variations on adult psychological outcomes.
  • Encourage critical reflection on participants own family experiences.

Teaching methods

The teaching methods used during this course may include:

  • Short lectures/presentations
  • Physical handouts
  • Seminars/group discussions
  • Student presentations
  • Video recordings

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course students will have been given the opportunity to:

  • Critically evaluate psychological theories of family and adult development.
  • Identify and analyze key family dynamics that contribute to psychological outcomes in adulthood.
  • Apply theoretical concepts to real-life case studies, observed behaviour and personal experiences.
  • Demonstrate insight into the role of family in shaping identity, values, and coping mechanisms.
  • Articulate the impact of cultural and contextual variables on family functioning and its members.

Assessment methods

Participants are required to undertake preparatory reading and complete a pre-course assignment of 1,500 words. Although this does not count towards credit, it is seen as an important way of developing your ideas and is mandatory. The pre-course assignment is typically due in the first week of June.

You will be assessed during the summer school by either a 1,000 word written assignment or a presentation supported by individual documentation. To successfully gain credit (10 CATS points) students should attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment.

Participants will also attend two one-on-one tutorials with their tutor during the week.

Please see the 'certification' section for more details about CATS points.

Application

Most courses fill quickly so early registration is strongly recommended. If your preferred course is fully booked, you may wish to add yourself to the waiting list and the Programme Administrator will contact you should a place become available.

Please note, the programme is only open to those over the age of 18.

Online enrolment (single person accommodation and non-residential)

Single accommodation, double room for 1 person and non-residential places should be booked online by clicking on the 'Book now' button at the top of this page.

Online enrolments require payment in full at the time of registering.

Enrolment form (multi-occupancy or accessible accommodation)

Those requiring twin, double or accessible accommodation (including ground/lower floor accommodation) should complete an enrolment form as these rooms cannot be booked or requested online. 

Please send the completed enrolment form to the email address below. Both the PDF and Word option of the form below are editable, so you can complete them online before saving and sending to us as an email attachment. You do not need to print and scan them. (Please use these forms only if you are making a twin or double booking for two people.)

Those who have specific requirements (eg an accessible bedroom) should contact the Programme Administrator directly at oussa@conted.ox.ac.uk or OUSSA, University of Oxford Department for Continuing Education, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.

Accommodation

Residential options are outlined below.

Please see the 'application' section above for guidance on how to book or request the right accommodation for you.

Residential option

This includes accommodation and all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). 

View full details of Rewley House accommodation.

Non-residential option

We also offer places on a non-residential basis whereby participants can take classes and have meals (lunch and dinner) at Rewley House, having arranged their own accommodation elsewhere.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support