In researching my dissertation, I ran across a family systems theory that can change a life – Bowen’s Family Systems Theory. Understanding the concepts Bowen presents begins the formation of a mental structure to comprehend other ideas and experiences. In my last post, I discussed spiritual formation and how our family of origin affects our perception of ourselves and the world. Drawing upon Bowen’s concepts, you will see the articulation of how some of the ideas we believe about ourselves and others are developed. More importantly, you will see how change can happen.
Background
Earlier in his career and upon returning to the States from the European battlefields of WWII as a surgeon, Bowen began his psychiatric career. His work focused on patients suffering from schizophrenia. Schizophrenia could be a debilitating disorder for families. Mostly diagnosed in men in their early 20’s, the resources required to care for the patient placed consequential stress on families and communities. Of note, medications for schizophrenia were not well developed during the timeframe of Bowen’s research. Bowen ultimately moved to Maryland and began working with N.I.M.H. in their quest for solutions to schizophrenia. Later in 1959, working at Georgetown University Medical Center, Bowen moved away from the treatment of schizophrenia and began studying other less severely ill patient populations. He discovered that all families with problems resembled families with schizophrenia; however, the intensity would be less severe.[1]
Generalizing to all families, Bowen began postulating that the triadic relationships between all family members had a more significant impact on individual traits than dyadic constructs. Dyadic constructs are between mother and child (primary caregiver and child). John Bowlby was the lead researcher in dyadic relationships and developed Attachment Theory.[2] Attachment theory is used in popular books such as How We Love. I bring up Bowlby to differentiate between a “family system” theory vs. an “attachment” theory.
Of course, these two men had a lot of support. They drew from other researchers in the development of their popular theories. Interestingly, Bowlby was also a physician in WWII and returned to Britain to study psychiatry. In the next few articles, I will be discussing Bowen’s theory. In latter articles, I will discuss Bowlby more in depth.
Bowlby or Bowen?
NOTE – these guys’ names can get confusing – Bowlby and Bowen.
Both WWII physicians.
One British – Bowlby.
Bowlby – mother, child (Attachment Theory)
One American – Bowen.
Bowen – the whole family (Bowen’s Family Systems Theory)
John Bowlby’s attachment theory (dyadic relationship—Mother, Child) focused on the relationship between the primary caregiver and the infant.[3] Bowlby did not account for other family dynamics such as those with father or siblings.
Bowen and Family of Origin.
Unlike Bowlby, Bowen considered all family-of-origin members as influential in the development of the child.[4] Bowen also considered the community. Bowlby’s attachment theory stated that attachment styles developed between the infant and mother determined how adults would interact within intimate relationships. Bowen suggests that a person’s differentiation of self level (to be discussed in my next article), established during childhood and early adolescence within a family system, determined this interactive style. While these two theorists seem to present differing opinions on how individuals develop, I view them as complementary. The child’s interactions with the mother are paramount; moreover, all family relationships are also determinants of individual functioning.
When Murray Bowen presented his theory in 1966, it culminated years of qualitative research (looking at experiences and possible trends). However, it was just the beginning of the theory’s quantitative development.[5] Bowen’s theory eventually embraced eight interlocking concepts that form an emotional system we use to relate to ourselves and others. Bowen contemplated a ninth concept, the supernatural, before his passing in 1990.[6]
8 Concepts
Originally, Bowen developed the interdependent triad–Mother, Father, Child.145 Later, he published his system with six interlocking concepts. In 1975, he added two more concepts: emotional cutoff and emotional process in society. The resulting eight interlocking concepts of Bowen’s theory are (1) differentiation of self, (2) triangles, (3) nuclear family emotional system, (4) family projection process, (5) emotional cutoff, (6) multiple generation transmission process, (7) sibling position, and (8) societal regression.[7]
The latter concept, societal regression, has drawn some ire from some of the academic community. You may sense why when you read my article explaining the construct.
This brief introduction to Bowen and his Family Sytems theory is just that – brief. In the next few articles, I will expand on the eight concepts of Bowen’s theory.
[1] Michael E. Kerr and Murray Bowen, Family Evaluation: The Role of the Family as an Emotional Unit that Governs Individual Behavior and Development (New York: Norton, 1988), xv.
[2] John Bowlby, Attachment (New York: BasicBooks, 1982).
[3] John Bowlby, Attachment (New York: BasicBooks, 1982).
[4] Bowen, Family Therapy in Clinical Practice.
[5] Murray Bowen, Family Therapy in Clinical Practice (New York: Jason Aronson, 1978).
[6] Robert Feikema, “Spirituality and the Differentiation of Bowen Theory: A Conference Review,” The Western Pennsylvania Family Center Quarterly: A Publication for Members 10, no. 1 (2000), 2.
[7] Murray Bowen, “Theory in the Practice of Psychotherapy,” in Family Therapy: Theory and Practice, ed. P. J. Guerin (New York: Garner, 1976), 42-90