Bowen's Approach vs. other approach
Family System Theory by Murray Brown is among the family models which were developed a few decades following World War II by pioneers in the metal health sector. Brown had practiced as in the psychoanalytic model after training as a psychiatrist and in late 1940’s while working at Menninger Clinic, he begun involving parents especially mothers in treatment and investigation of patients with schizophrenic problems (Brown, 2014). After moving to the National Institute of Mental Health, his focus started shifting from individual cases to the families’ dimensions as systems. He started involving individuals in family institutions in his psychotherapy and research with their members suffering from schizophrenic condition. His establishment of Georgetown family center facilitated the extension of the developing theory to emotional problems that were less severe (Bitter, 2013). The 1959-1962 periods saw him engage in detailed research into family institutions across various generations. He placed his focus on what he perceived to be the normal patterns in emotional of humans and this focus on families; qualitative similarities he asserted that everyone has in them little schizophrenia (Boss, 1993).
After publishing his first orderly work of the developing ideas, he applied his concepts to assist in intervention where there was emotional crisis of less intensity among his extended family members, which he was to term as a remarkable breakthrough in practice and theory. In a 1967 conference on family therapy, his presentation was in form of a talk on the experience he had with his family, instead of a formal paper presentation to the surprise of many. He later encouraged students to work to focus on intergenerational patterns and triangles in their families instead of just undertaking individual psychotherapy. From these trainees emerged the present Bowenian Therapy leaders (Boss, 1993). While the basic principles in this theory have been changed slightly over a period of time, considerable expansions have seen attention being placed on stages of life cycle and the integration with a feminine lens. There are about eight intertwined principles of Bowen’s theory based on the family systems and therapy of family field and follows a development sequence or hierarchical orders.
- Triangles
This theory basically focused on fusion and distancing, adequate and inadequate partners. His use of the word triangle instead of triad deliberately to show his particular meaning so that to avoid any misunderstanding with other triangulation principles. Triangles are described as the smallest unit of stable relationship and “triangling” happens after reliving unavoidable anxiety in a dyad through the involvement of another party who neutralizes anxiety or takes sides (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2008). Couples undergoing an imbalance in their relationship cannot balance their forces like fusion and distancing and left on their own they swing between closeness and distance. Hence a triangle represents the smallest possible system of relationship that can maintain balance in stressing times (Goldenberg & Goldenberg, 2008). For the relationship to stabilize, a third party must be involved in helping reducing anxiety and hence, maintain closeness. This party takes an outside position which is most desirable and comfortable in stressing times since the inside position has the baggage of anxiety and emotional closeness. Over three people form multiple triangles thereby resoling themselves. Outsiders in the triangles will be involved when there is more stress than a family system can handle (Brown, 2014).
- Differentiation
Differentiation and fusion are used by Bowen for describing the degree to which individuals are able to separate their intellectual and emotional spheres. People who are highly fused act automatically and their response to life circumstances involves emotions. On the other hand, individuals who are highly differentiated have intellectual system that is autonomous and which enable them to control their emotions (Titilman, 2014). A person whose response to situations is immediate without thinking through available choices or talking directly with their partner over the relationship invests lot energy to take things personally or distancing oneself. A family that tends to fuse greatly has less flexibility in adapting to stressful situations. Bowen describes differentiated self as solid self and a fused self as pseudo self (Titilman, 2014). The former knows its desires and needs while the later reacts to its surroundings. In marriage, the merging of two pseudo selves leaves the dominant one gaining at the expense of the other. This concept of differentiation is important but there is need to emphasize the description is about thought process control and not behavior manifestation. He developed self-scale differentiation to help in explaining his concept. The whole process may be life-long and total differentiation may not be possible to achieve (Rabstejnek, n.d).
- Nuclear Family Emotional System
In this system, Bowen attention is focused on the effect of un-differentiation on how a generational family functions. He postulates that relationship fusion which cases “triangling” is the driving force behind symptom formation and is manifested in spouse illness, couple conflict and a problem being projected onto children (Boss, 1993). The emotional system patterns that has been replicated for various generation will be followed by current parents who will pass them to the children they will bear. According to Bowen, marriage is the starting point for relation in nuclear family and other living planning are disregarded. If an option is available for terminating the relationship, true fusion will not exist. As indicated above, the degree of differentiation is not determined by behavioral termination but how intellectual process will be controlled by emotions (Brown, 2014).
- Family projection
The level of adaptation that triad requires is affected by outside influences which includes how a nuclear family relates emotionally to the extended family and the degree of anxiety that is applied externally. Psychopathology is made worse by anxiety and motional differences that have not been resolved. The current relationship either absorbs or resolves any undifferentiated energy existed among grandparents (Titilman, 2014). Failure by a parent to resolve energy imbalance makes that energy to be projected onto their children. A child will be free from the symptom relatively if they are not involved in the emotional field while a single may affected while another one is not. Since the mother is directly involved the process of reproduction and development of primary attachment, the emotional filed of this child revolves around her. A serious manifestation of the systems may not be seen until a child’s later development stage like adolescence or moving away from the comfort of their home (Richardson, 2010).
- Multi generational transmission process
The symptoms in a child are intensified over many generations until they resurface as schizophrenia. The impact of the generation to generation transmission will be different for individual child, which depends on level of “triangling” they share with parents (Richardson, 2010). Attention given to this pattern is not for evaluation but for intervening so as to help families to distance themselves as much as possible from present struggles with such symptoms. This way they may impart change in transmitting anxiety over future generations. Learning about one’s family, its history and how they succeeded, failed and their relationships you can actively play a role in interactions that are repetitive (Rabstejnek, n.d).
- Sibling positioning
Bowen used Walter Toman’s sibling profiles to assert that the position of sibling could offer information that is useful in understanding the roles taken by individuals in relationships. As such the eldest children are likely to undertake leadership and responsibility while the younger ones may be dependent on decision made by others. Middle children are more likely to be flexible in shifting between dependency and responsibility (Ziegler, 2005). He noted that the above traits are not applicable universally and younger sibling to assume the position of functional eldest. A parent may identify more with a child who occupies similar position with their own or a past cross generational triangle can be repeated. It is possible that a sibling can encounter various challenges such illness similar to the ones a previous-generational child who occupies similar position suffered. One should be helped to understand and think past their sibling position’s limitations (Richardson, 2010).
- Emotional cutoff
This was added to this theory later since it had not been covered when it was part of other principles. Termination of a past relationship does not guarantee an end to its impacts on future relationships. Emotional attachments to previous generation that remain unresolved will affect future performance. Bowen asserts that an individual who abandons their family of origin becomes emotionally dependent as the one who didn’t leave and running away is copied as a pattern in other relationships in future (Titilman, 2014).
- Emotional process in society
Regression in the society extends past triangles the domain of immediate family. There emotional forces in the society that tend to lessen intellectual functioning and fusion will be reinforced by chronic anxiety of the times. The assumption is that societal influences follow the principles of Bowen Family System Theory. Through this concept, Bowen Theory is extended to include the organizations’ and community everyday life. Just like in families, groups operations occur at emotional level with undifferentiated people who make irrational decisions after triangulating (Brown, 2014). This knowledge can be used in development of strategies which will change the groups’ undifferentiated ego mass which reduces frustration through process observation, triangles identification and assessment of differentiation (Rabstejnek, n.d).
The Bowen theory can be compared with other theories such as the Cognitive- Behavioral Family Therapy and Behavioral Theory. Unlike Bowen theory where traits can be passed on from one generation to another, these theories consider behavior as being learnt or resulting from thinking process (Pedersen, 1991). Behavioral theory holds that behavior is learnt through processes such as classic conditioning or operant conditioning. Learnt responses affect ones habit through stimulus and rewards can increase the possibility of certain behavior while punishment decreases the possibility of this behavior occurring (Pedersen, 1991). Cognitive theory on the other hand focuses on how thinking of individuals can influence behavior or feelings. Therapy is normally focused on this theory has its orientation towards solving problems. Therapists have their focus on the present situation of the client and their distorted thinking rather than the past on which Bowen Theory is focused (Beck, 2010). Humanistic approach theory on the other hand focuses on the present with an aim assisting a person in achieving the highest possible potential. Humanist believes on goodness found in everyone and self-actualization or growth is emphasized (Pedersen, 1991). Unlike Bowen’s theory where past generations influence current generations, humanistic approach consider individuals as being able to influence their behavioral outcomes and thus destinies.
These theories have various similarities with the Bowen Theory in terms of solving any conflict or changing behavior of an individual. The need for a third party intervention is indicated to be of great significance so that they can help in neutralizing the ground or in helping an individual to influence on their behavior. Change is also an important aspect identified in these theories more so the need to break away from a past behavior in order to experience better outcome. Moreover therapeutic actions are the basis of assisting in behavioral change and the counselors must first understand the past of an individual and while it may not be important to dwell on, it is essential in imparting the necessary changes in a person or among conflicting individuals.
From the Bowen theory it can be learnt that Murray Bowen was a strong believer in a cogent theory having to be the basis of therapeutic actions. His interest in natural science informed concrete knowledge upon which therapeutic metaphors are mostly based. A therapist has the role of connecting with a family while not becoming emotionally reactive. The therapist must maintain a stance which is differentiated so that he is not drawn into an under responsible or over responsible reciprocity in his attempt to help. Therapist must not lose sight of the part they have to play in the interaction system where they can be required to act as mediators in a family triangle. As per the Bowen theory, the intervention techniques should be focus on an individual rather than the triangles in a family setting. There is also an emphasis on not involving children in settling conflict but dealing with adults who are majorly the cause of the situation (Pedersen, 1991). The Bowenian therapist should take up the role of a coach while teaching clients about the aspect of differentiation.
Part II
From a Christian point of view, one should be mindful of the danger of equating biblical perspective on condition of humanity with the current psychological theories that dominates the counseling field. Approaches that aim at promoting human capacity to be essentially achieve full potential or good by use of personal effort undermines the solutions offered to helplessness state that humanity find itself in. hence, any strategy that attempt to promote the goal of continuous efforts to self knowledge will collide with Biblical call to depend on God with our strength, hear and mind (Banker& Powell, 2014). The family system by Bowen does not show how human should be living but it is attempts to use research observation in the description of human reaction in relationships. This theory provides a description of human patterns that can be identified in relational spheres. It describes what is not clearly defined in the Bible since the Bible explains where disharmony and symptoms come from in human relationships but does not offer detailed description of relationship and emotional aspects that are inherent in human condition. The description by Bowen Theory is about emotional systems and relationship patterns in Christian lives that are also found in non-believers (Banker& Powell, 2014). An objective observation of human actions while undergoing relationship stressors defines the believers and the non-believers. Bowen theory asserts that the main variable is the degree of differentiation of an individual in terms of both relational and emotional maturity.
The Bowen theory can be used by Christians in good conscience since it does not refer to any strange metaphysic and mythology. It starts by attempting to define factually those discrete symptom and behaviors that happens within an individual and the emotionally significant relations referred to as systems. By not referring to metaphysic and mythology, the theory does not discredit the fact that human beings experience challenges in relationships due to their fallen nature and the solution can only be found in God. Furthermore, aspects provided to define the most common human behavior such as distance, conflict and cut-off are just descriptive but not diagnostic. Bowen theory has no experts since a person cannot just read the materials and start counseling. This can only be done by those individuals who maintain contact with the extended family while they are teaching others on differentiation art. Just as the church pursues sanctification, this theory involves relations, incarnation and is normally a life-long process (Banker& Powell, 2014). The theory touches on behavioral dynamics that are inherent in the creation itself. It would not be appropriate to oppose a theory that brings out observable facts. The idea that Murray is trying to sell to counselors is for them to make their clients experts in their own families (Richardson, 2010). The practitioners of this theory avoid the dependence on a certain authority which is encouraged by personal focus in psychiatry and psychology. The family should be the best manual that can help an individual to learn about themselves and hence the aim of Bowen’s theory is for people to be knowledgeable about their family patterns of empirical behavior. They then use this knowledge in improving functioning in all their relationships.
The virtue of humility appreciated in apostolic counsels are encouraged by this theory, and rather than of looking into the ups and downs of diagnosis, we should embrace couching. In addition, this theory keeps a person a way from being judgmental through perceiving their clients as being sinful but showing the need to the person first before diagnosis. This theory can be termed as proverbial wisdom for believers if it can be used in the same way as literature wisdom is used in leadership and pastoral care. The various aspects explored in this theory can be used to finding solution to challenges and conflicts facing modern day families. The differentiation aspect defines what happens when members of a family become involved and attached to one another to an unhealthy level. Personal evaluation is a valuable therapy whose broadness enables to incorporate many techniques which are family focused (Banker& Powell, 2014). It’s emphasizes on family units and healthy relationships among extended families makes it compatible with the teachings of Christian faith. It has much resource that is useful in settling issues that involve more than members of a family. The focus of Bowen’s Theory was on patterns in which families are developed so as to resolve anxiety. The perception in the family of too much distance and too great closeness in a relationship is a major source of anxiety and the level of anxiety in a given family will be shaped by the present external stress levels together with sensitivities to specific issues that have been passed on among generations (Banker& Powell, 2014).
The theory offers principles that are in line with Christian teachings on role of an individual in minimizing conflict by first changing their behavior before judging others. In case members in a family are unable to solve their conflict they should involve a third party with to make peace by reducing any conflict between them. A family whose members are unable to check their responses to relationship issues but instead react to emotional demands anxiously allows the setting in of chronic reactivity or anxiety. Bowen Therapy has a major goal of reducing chronic anxiety through the facilitation of awareness on the functioning of emotional system and increased differentiation where focus is placed on changing self instead of an attempt to changer others. Spouses should be at par in terms of differentiation level. A lot of fusion in a couple may lead to one or both being anxious, and emotional divorce or distance is the normal way of handling this stress (Banker& Powell, 2014). The above mentioned symptoms are also methods for compensation. The outsiders like ministers, therapist, police and support groups form extend triangles that will moderate tension by having two comfortable sides and another side in conflict. In a normal father-mother-child triangle, there may be tension between parents where father who is weak increases conflict between a mother who is dominant and a kid who is traumatized. According to Bowen, the strong person is over-adequate while the weak one is inadequate in a marriage. Both strength and weakness are not better states since they represent the partners’ states that are equally undifferentiated. The theory practically offers ways of maintaining good relationships in family units which form the foundation of the church.
Reference
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Boss, P., (1993).Sourcebook of family theories and methods: A contextual approach. New York (N.Y.: Springer
Ziegler, S. M. (2005). Theory-directed nursing practice. New York: Springer Pub. Co. 110-113
Goldenberg, H., & Goldenberg, I. (2008). Family therapy: An overview. Australia: Thompson Brooks/Cole.178-179.
Beck, Judith S., (2010).Cognitive Therapy. Retrieved from: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/9780470479216.corpsy0198/full Pedersen, P. B. (1991).Multiculturalism as a Generic Approach to Counseling. Journal of Counseling and Development : JCD; Alexandria70.1.6Titilman, P., (2014).Differentiation of Self: Bowen Family Systems Theory Perspectives. Routledge.3- 5
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Brown, J. (2014).Bowen Family Systems Theory and Practice: Illustration and Critique. Retrieved from: http://www.thefsi.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Bowen-Family-Systems-Theory-and-Practice_Illustration-and-Critique.pdf
Rabstejnek, C., V., (n.d).Family Systems and Murray Bowen Theory. Retrieved from: http://www.houd.info/bowenTheory.pdf
Richardson, R. W. (2010). Couples in Conflict: A Family Systems Approach to Marriage Counseling. Lanham: Fortress Press.
Banker,G., Powell, C., (2014).From Woe to Go! A Training Text for Christian Counselors. Balboa Press. 7-13
