{"id":33264,"date":"2016-11-03T08:53:09","date_gmt":"2016-11-03T15:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?page_id=33264"},"modified":"2016-11-03T08:53:09","modified_gmt":"2016-11-03T15:53:09","slug":"enmeshment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/enmeshment\/","title":{"rendered":"Enmeshment"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"RearEnmeshment<\/strong> is a psychological term that describes a blurring of boundaries between people, typically family members. Enmeshment often contributes to dysfunction in families<\/a> and may lead to\u00a0a lack of autonomy and independence that can become problematic.<\/p>\n

Understanding Enmeshment<\/h2>\n

The concept of enmeshment was introduced by family therapist Salvador Minuchin<\/a> in the 1970s. Typically, boundaries that help determine how close family members are to each other, as well as who participates in specific family matters, exist within a family system. When these boundaries blur or are not clearly defined, the result may be enmeshment, a situation in which family members are close to an extent that\u00a0it becomes\u00a0difficult for each member to establish the\u00a0level of independence considered healthy by most mental health and family therapy experts.<\/p>\n

While many families value closeness and intimacy<\/a>, enmeshment goes beyond the bonds of a close family. Enmeshment may mean a parent centers their actions or emotions<\/a>\u00a0on the child(ren) and their successes or mistakes,\u00a0attempts to know and direct all of the child’s thoughts or feelings, and relies heavily on the child(ren) for emotional support.<\/p>\n

Enmeshment can be problematic because it can prevent people from developing a sense of self<\/a>, engaging in peer relationships, and learning to self-regulate emotions. Children of enmeshed families may also experience diminished distress tolerance and find it difficult to assert themselves later in life.

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Signs of Enmeshment<\/h2>\n

In enmeshed families, children may be brought up with the expectation that they will accede to their parents’ wishes and develop the same belief system and ideals. Some children may become a parent’s sole source of emotional support or become the vehicle through which a parent lives out their own unrealized dreams.<\/p>\n

Most often, enmeshment occurs between a child and parent and may include the following signs:<\/p>\n