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FAMILY SYSTEMS THEORY.
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Discusses Murray Bowen's groundbreaking family systems theory & concepts.... More...
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Paper Abstract:
Discusses Murray Bowen's groundbreaking family systems theory & concepts. Bowen's discoveries as a psychiatrist that led to the deelopment of his theory. Treating the client as a system (a family) rather than as an individual in isolation. Emotional process that drives individual behavior & concept of differentiation of the self. Therapy & interpersonal conflicts. Therapeutic application of the theory.
Paper Introduction:
Murray Bowen (1913-1990) was the originator of family systems theory in which the "differentiation of self" in the face of the emotional unit of the family was the core concept (Hutten, 2001). This Bowenian conception originated in Bowen's psychoanalytic training, but psychoanalytic notions were modified by his incorporation of systems-theory and evolutionary ideas subsequent to his observation of family members' effects on each other's emotional states. Bowen's discoveries and his theory were groundbreaking efforts, opening the way to a novel approach to therapy. Prior to his innovations the individual had always been the focus of attention from analysts and psychologists, but Bowen's theoretical proposals and the effectiveness of therapy based on them, led the way to a new chapter in psychotherapy. His original ideas have been reinterpreted and modified by
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This, however, onlyincreases anxiety and as this happens the most vulnerable of the pair'schildren is triangulated into the parental conflict as a 'problem' thatdiverts attention from the parents' problems. Every increase in parentalanxiety levels therefore, "triggers the child's dysfunctional behavior,"this increases parental anxiety, and the child's misbehavior intensifies,sometimes leading to lifelong patterns of dysfunction (Goldenberg &Goldenberg, p. As Papp points out, there are "many different ways in which systemstheory has been interpreted and applied" in family therapy, whiletherapists' definitions of a 'system' are usually based on whatever "theybelieve is causing the problem" and the type of intervention they intend toemploy (1983, pp. This was often aided by the assembling of a genogram, a diagram ofthree-generations of the family in which the anxiety-ridden dyad was at thecenter. His original ideas have been reinterpreted and modified bysubsequent theorists and researchers, but the basic notion of treating thefamily-as-system rather than the individual in isolation has become afundamental tenet of much family therapy. A family systems approach for preventing adolescent runaway behavior. Finally, MacDermid and Crouter (1995) studied "parents' midlifeidentity concerns as a function of their children's physical or socialdevelopment" (p. The therapy centers, therefore, on facing up to the truenature of interpersonal conflicts and the desired result is to make thefusion in the dyad yield a clearer picture of each party's wishes--unobscured by the misguided mutual effort to ensure balance and stabilityin problematic ways. Koopmans hypothesized that a family systems interventionwas applicable because the problem centered around the breaking ofboundaries between the generations in order to set up a false subsystem inwhich the girl and her mother functioned as the grandmother's children.The girl's suicide attempts, Koopmans argues, were a means of forcing hemother out of her sisterly role and into her 'proper' role of parentalconcern. Russell, & D. 14 -141).Successfully differentiated persons, of course, experience relationshipswith people at their same level of maturity as highly satisfying since theyexperience no "loss of individuality, independence, or autonomy [and]tolerate and accept their partners' freedom of will, differentness anduniqueness" (Textor, 1989), p. Adolescence, 33, 485-492.Goldenberg, I., & Goldenberg, H. 152). Available: http://www.abacon.com/famtherapy/bowen.htmlTextor, M. But all these ideas derive from Bowen's original insightsand most can be described as Bowenian in nature even if they do notstrictly follow what Bowen later called "Bowen theory" (in order todistance it somewhat from general systems theory). Although psychoanalytic theoryheld that therapists needed to avoid contact with patient's' families,Bowen was intrigued by differences in intensity of emotional functioning inschizophrenic patients following visits from their mothers. But Bowen readwidely in biology and evolutionary theory and he concluded that thesymbiotic relationships he observed were exaggerated forms of a naturalprocess in which the intimate involvement of the mother and child was moreintense and was prolonged into adult life. In D. (2 1). Bowen derived his understanding of systems from general systemstheory and held that its classic definition, "a self--correctivehomeostatic system which is error activated and regulates itself throughnegative and positive feedback loops in order to maintain its equilibrium,"was applicable to human families (Papp, 1983, p. There are numerous approaches to familysystems theory and therapy that go beyond Bowen's work but derive from hisbasic concepts. Koopmans, on the other hand, applied the tenets of the family systemsapproach to the case history of a suicidal 15-year-old girl in atheoretical discussion of how "hypotheses in the family systems literatureon the relationship between family processes and mental health in generalmay be applicable to the suicidal behavior of teenagers in particular" (p.87). L., & Courtney, L. Bowen's theory originated in his work as a psychiatrist at theMenninger Clinic in Topeka in the 194 s. Boston: Allyn and Bacon. (1983). 262). 6). S. (1998). 29). C. Bowen's discoveries and his theory were groundbreakingefforts, opening the way to a novel approach to therapy. Bowen had made the shift from considering thesingle part to considering the whole system and he began to look atemotional functioning as a component of a natural system that followed lawsidentical to those of other natural systems. 39-49). The girl had a 1-year-oldson and refused to help her mother in the home or care for the childadequately, leaving him with various relatives. Family assessment and intervention. (1995). Butit was in cases where the parental dyad functioned well that the effect ofmidlife experiences on adolescent development concerns, and vice versa, wasleast. Since family systems therapy is not only a relatively young theorybut one that has very broad potential the literature reflects an ongoinginterest in trying to "specify the range of applicability of family systemsmodels" (Koopmans, 1995, p. 7). Midlife, adolescence, and parental employment in family systems. Such work is undertaken by practitioners who use familysystems interventions empirically in individual cases, by observers whotest the theoretical propositions against accounts of case histories, andby researchers who address broad dimensions of family problems in order toopen new avenues for applications. The therapists aimed at getting the participants tounderstand that the root of the problem was the anxiety generated by theparental dyad and the girl's actions were merely responses to this and ameans of attempting to shut out this anxiety because she was involved inseeking differentiation and was resisting being pulled into the parents'triangle. The emotional process that drives the behavior of the individual isdifferentiation of the self, which is successfully accomplished by theperson who is able to make the distinction between intellectual process andthe emotional process that is being experienced. This attempt to achieve differentiation in familymembers is the principle that guides Bowen's therapeutic approach and thisis a far cry from the more traditional "resolution of inner conflict" thatguides analytic and other modes of therapy (Weltner, 1985, p. The case involved a woman, her daughter and a stepfather, whorefused to participate in the therapy sessions. Thus, while Bowen defined the family system interms triangulation and differentiation others look at systems in terms ofpower structure, unresolved mourning, intergenerational loyalties, orsystemic paradoxes since these are the "focal points of their intervention"(Papp, p. 88).Crossing the boundaries of these subsystems in an inappropriate manner can,however, upset the delicate balance of the family system. Following the intervention both mother and daughter showedsignificantly improved family-satisfaction scores on Olson's scale. Bowen's method was to begin with a hypothesis about the source of theanxiety in the dyad and the nature of the triangulation that was takingplace. Certainly most familysystems therapists have long since moved on to include all members of thenuclear family--and as many as possible of the parents' families of origin--in the therapy sessions themselves. Bowen's approach to family systems therapy operationalized theseideas and focused on two basic goals: "the reduction of anxiety and relieffrom symptoms" and increasing the participants' levels of differentiation"in order to improve adaptiveness" (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 1991, p. J. Allyn & Bacon Family Therapy Website [Online report]. Matchmaking: Choosing the appropriate therapy for families at various levels of pathology. 6-7). In the principalcase history studied by Koopmans, for example, a teenaged girl who livedwith her mother and grandmother had attempted suicide numerous times in theprevious year. After his move to GeorgetownUniversity in 1959 Bowen expanded his studies to take in families with lesssevere problems than schizophrenia and began to develop "a comprehensivefamily systems theory that could be applied to processes occurring in allfamilies, functional as well as dysfunctional" (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, p.147). S. The stepfather made anissue of this and he and the mother would quarrel over the subject wheneverhe directed his anger at the daughter. 87). A brief discussion of theorigins of Bowen's theory and an account of its basic propositions will befollowed by a review of the use of family systems therapy in differentcontexts as reflected in the current literature. Olson, C. Bowen generally held that therapy should proceed, however, via asystem consisting of therapist and the two parents. This was the case"even when the identified patient was a symptomatic child" because it wasnecessary that the parents understand, and admit, that the problem wasrooted in their relationship and did not stem form the child (Goldenberg &Goldenberg, p. The "degree to which the [parents] support each other duringstress" was shown to be the principal factor in minimizing the likelihoodthat parents would focus on or triangulate children whose developmentalmight be considered problematic (p. R. New York: Guilford Press.Paratore, J. H. A case of family dysfunction and teenage suicide attempt: Applicability of a family systems paradigm. Available: http://expage.com/page/ bowenpageKoopmans, M. 154). In M. His study, however, was based on the notion of subsystems within thefamily system proposed by Bowen. 34). Journal of Family Therapy, 2, 59-75.Weltner, J. In many cases Bowen held that it was not evennecessary for the therapist to see the child. This Bowenian conceptionoriginated in Bowen's psychoanalytic training, but psychoanalytic notionswere modified by his incorporation of systems-theory and evolutionary ideassubsequent to his observation of family members' effects on each other'semotional states. These "relatively autonomous subsystemsare formed to optimize the adaptive capacity of the larger system" and canbe formed on generational, gender, or kinship lines (Koopmans, p. 64). Circumplex model of family systems: FACES III. His original view was expanded, however, as heobserved that differences in emotional levels were characteristic ofrelationships with all family members and the "reciprocal functioning ofall the individual members within the family became so apparent" that hebegan to "consider the whole family as an emotional unit" (Goldenberg &Goldenberg, 1991, p. In such a self-regulating system the orientation of the parts may change, but such changeis always carried out in a manner that maintains the shape of the system asa whole. Such persons are usually unable to differentiate themselves fromother people and their moods or criticisms and, therefore, "fuse easilywith whatever emotions dominate the family" (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 1991,p. As these three examples show, Bowen's theory and its therapeuticapplications have expanded considerably in the decade since his death.Even though most family systems therapists now work with concepts that werenot a part of his original theory or, especially, his approach to therapy,the basic notions of the family as natural, self-regulating system and ofpeople driven by the need to differentiate have become a nearlyinexhaustible source of fresh ideas. Monterey, CA: Brook-Cole.Hutten, M. 41). Prior to hisinnovations the individual had always been the focus of attention fromanalysts and psychologists, but Bowen's theoretical proposals and theeffectiveness of therapy based on them, led the way to a new chapter inpsychotherapy. (1998). Successfully differentiated individuals are not easily influencedby the praise or blame doled out by others and, instead, "orient theirlives to values and goals" (Textor, 1989, p. 148). Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 29, 29-54.Olson, D. 161). He studiedthese relationships, which he deemed symbiotic, and formulated concepts of"anxious and functional attachment to describe interactional patterns inthe mother-child relationship" (Paratore & Nichols, 1998). Parents whoserelationship is under stress would choose this method rather thancontinuing a situation that might culminate in divorce, for example. Coco and Courtney (1998), for example,employed the conceptual framework of Bowen's model and Olson's (1989, citedin Coco & Courtney) Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems, whichanalyzes family cohesion and adaptability, in a test of the efficacy offamily systems therapy in preventing runaway behavior in a 15-year-oldgirl. Hoping to study thisrelationship in more detail he moved on to the National Institute of MentalHealth in Maryland in 1954. 42). (1991). This study derived from family systems theory thesuggestion that parental midlife development might be peculiarly vulnerableto the stresses generated by the simultaneous developmental processes oftheir children and, therefore, the source of emotional disturbances withinhigh-fusion family systems. Mirkin and S. Thus, instead of operating as "autonomous psychological entities,individual family members are inextricably tied in thinking, feeling andbehavior" to the family system (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 1991, p. Family therapy (3rd ed.). Once the participants inthe therapeutic process recognize the role played by their own anxiety andthe fact that the things they use "to justify the rejection andcondemnation of the spouse are things they themselves helped create" theprocess has provided them with the necessary insight to effect change(Hutten, 2 1). Sprenkle (Eds.), Circumplex model: Systemic assessment and treatment of families, New York: Haworth Press.Papp, P. The therapists saw this, in largepart, as a case of triangulation in which the mother--anxious over thestepfather's alcoholism and drug-dealing--was attempting to relieve heranxiety through behavior that the daughter, anxious to individuate, viewedas intolerable. Nor does this kind of individual compromise his/her self in order tocreate harmony in the family, please parents, or pacify a spouse. Bowenheld that people "tend to choose marital partners who have achieved anequivalent level of immaturity, and their relationships fall into patternsof reciprocal overadequacy and inadequacy" (Papp, 1983, p. His was an approach that "ask[ed] more" of participants who, beinghighly reluctant to change their accustomed patterns of relating to eachother, had to display significantly "higher motivation and compliance" thanin most therapeutic modes (Weltner, 1985, p. ReferencesCoco, E. 146). Koman (Eds.). 147).Any deviations from optimal emotional functioning, therefore, must derivefrom the nature of the individual's familial relationships. B., & Nichols, M. Their study determined, among other findings,that the midlife concerns of women who worked outside the home had lesseffect on their children because anxiety was reduced by other means. The handbook of adolescents and family therapy (pp. The process of change. Other children of the pair may choose to insulatethemselves from the family's problems and simply achieve an emotionalcutoff by moving away and deceiving themselves that they are free of thesituation because of the distance they have achieved. L. Murray Bowen (1913-199 ) was the originator of family systems theoryin which the "differentiation of self" in the face of the emotional unit ofthe family was the core concept (Hutten, 2 1). (1985). Those who are least ableto distinguish between thoughts and emotions are said to have created astate of fusion, which is, in family systems terms, "the inability toseparate fully from parent or from family of origin" (Weltner, 1985, p.41). (1989). Adolescence, 3 , 87-94.MacDermid, S., & Crouter, A. The 'healthy' family. (1989). (1995). 161). Forwithin the family system, according to Bowen, the basic structure is thetriangle and in families where a high degree of fusion exists thesetriangles are created when a dyad under stress (usually consisting of theparents, in Bowen's view) forms a triangle with a third person in such away as to reduce the increasing tension in the dyad's relationship.Although the result is not always what the dyad desires the effort is madebecause of the urge to stabilize the system itself. Couples and family therapy: Bowen's systems theory [Online report]. Therapist Profiles: Murray Bowen. H. H. Undifferentiated states derive from individuals' experience in theirfamilies of origin and are carried over into the marriage and the greaterthe fusion within the family "the greater will be the likelihood of anxietyand potential instability" as well as the family's tendency to try toresolve them through fighting, distancing, or impaired functioning by oneof the pair (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 1991, p.
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