National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

Which role in Family Systems Therapy is characterized by being insecure and fearful, yet functionally competent?

1. Waverer

2. Enabler

3. Punisher

4. Scapegoat

The correct answer is: Punisher

In Family Systems Therapy, the role characterized by being insecure and fearful, yet functionally competent, is often associated with the enabler. The enabler typically takes on a caretaking role within the family, helping to maintain a certain level of functionality despite the dysfunction that may exist. This individual often fears confrontation and may feel insecure about their value within the family structure, leading them to prioritize others’ needs over their own. The enabler's competence lies in their ability to manage challenges and provide support, which can create an illusion of stability within the family. This role often allows them to maintain control over certain situations, but their underlying insecurity and fear can lead to further enabling behaviors that perpetuate dysfunction. While the waverer, punisher, and scapegoat roles also reflect various dynamics within family systems, they do not embody the specific combination of insecurity, fearfulness, and functional competence that characterizes the enabler. The waverer may exhibit indecisiveness, the punisher enforces rules or consequences, and the scapegoat often bears the blame for family issues, but none capture the nuanced characteristics of the enabler role as accurately in this context.