What Is Bowen Theory, And How Can It Help Families Through Challenges?
When families experience conflict, a therapist may apply the Bowen Family Systems Theory to inform family therapy techniques and support families through challenging situations. While some family conflict can be resolved without outside help, in many cases, family therapy can help families improve communication and move forward from conflict.
What is the Bowen family systems theory?
The Bowen family systems theory (or Bowen Theory) was developed by Dr. Murray Bowen, an army physician trained in traditional psychoanalytic approaches. He began his work on family systems theory in 1954 when he joined the National Institute of Mental Health. His theory is popular today and is implemented by the Bowen Center and families all around the world.
The Bowen family systems theory posits that understanding one’s family story can help to understand their psyche, their human relationship systems, and how they operate within other aspects of their life as well as their physical and emotional nature and processes. While not all families are close, families are typically impacted by one another to some extent. What happens to one individual in the family may have a positive or negative impact on other family members, including influencing their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Dr. Bowen believed that the functioning of family systems affected the medical, psychiatric, and social wellness of all individuals. As a result, Bowen theorized that if one individual in the family is experiencing mental health challenges, that individual may not be the person that treatment needs to be directed toward, for Bowen it is important to know the whole family’s story. Family relationships often mean that multiple family members, such as a sibling or parent, may also be impacted.
For instance, a child might suddenly become sad, quiet, or withdrawn because her parents are going through a divorce. Other marital problems can also impact children. Having a clear understanding of how family systems operate emotionally and socially can help the therapist come up with an effective treatment program using family systems theory.
Although the Bowen Family System Theory may inform care for families of individuals experiencing mental health struggles, the theory is thought to apply to all individuals; it is not meant to focus on those who have mental illnesses specifically. Instead, the Bowen Theory is meant to look at big-picture patterns not only in family systems but also within society and help with decision making and improving a person’s functioning in the world.
Eight concepts of Bowen theory
The foundation of the Bowen Theory is formed from eight interlocking concepts that can explain human behavior within family systems.
Triangles: Triangle relationships—relationships between three individuals—are considered the smallest unit of stable relationships. Triangle relationships may be more stable than two-person relationships, or dyads, because they may tolerate higher levels of tension because each person takes a bit of the load. Triangle relationships may demonstrate certain patterns that yield insight into broader family dynamics. For instance, in a triangle relationship, one individual may frequently be the outsider, while the other two individuals may gravitate toward one another. Depending on the levels of tension within the triangle, the outsider position may change or become more desirable. These shifting relational dynamics can influence the emotional well-being of the individuals in the triangle.
Differentiation of self: Bowen’s concept of differentiation of self posits that each individual has their own unique level of self-differentiation, or individual identity, which develops as a result of childhood experiences. Those with a highly developed sense of self may make decisions more confidently and demonstrate more emotional maturity, while those with a poorly differentiated self may be more susceptible to the opinions or criticism of others. Individuals with a poorly developed sense of self may be more likely to experience mental health challenges based on their individual circumstances.
Nuclear family emotional process: Bowen theorized that four basic relationship patterns influence family tension levels: marital conflict, dysfunction in one spouse, impairment of one or more children, and emotional distance.
Family projection process: Parents who project their difficult feelings onto their child may increase their child’s vulnerability to experiencing these feelings themselves. For example, many parents hope their children will avoid their negative relationship habits, but some focus so highly on preventing these problems in their children that they may inadvertently cause these behaviors to develop, which could be tracked back several generations.
Multigenerational transmission process: This aspect of the Bowen Theory posits that individuals are most likely to choose a spouse with a similar level of self-differentiation. Over time, this tendency may cause significant differences in relational stability, health, and success between families impacting multiple generations.
Emotional cutoff: A family member experiencing family conflict may be more likely to force emotional distance, or a firm emotional cutoff, rather than attempt to resolve the underlying issues. This practice may cause instability and vulnerability within other relationships.
Sibling position: Bowen borrowed the concept of sibling position from the psychologist Walter Toman. When incorporated into the Bowen Theory, the sibling position dynamic suggests that our birth order may influence some important personality characteristics. These characteristics may then influence future relationship stability if children become spouses or parents.
Societal emotional process: Each concept in the Bowen Theory can also be applied to nonfamily groups, such as work and social organizations. This theory is meant to reflect how society operates on a behavioral level. In turn, societal expectations can affect the family unit.
How is the Bowen theory used in therapy?
Bowenian Family Therapy, or Bowen Family Systems Therapy, is a type of therapy that is designed to decrease tension and anxiety in families by addressing individual needs within the context of a family setting. Since its inception, the Bowen Theory has been used extensively in a variety of family therapy techniques, such as strategic family therapy, narrative family therapy, and functional family therapy. These different types of family therapy may be effective treatment options for many types of family challenges, such as a death in the family and various mental illnesses, including depression, addiction, substance use, interpersonal conflicts, and more.
If you are experiencing trauma, support is available. Please see our Get Help Now page for more resources.
Strategic family therapy
In strategic family therapy, a specific family problem may be addressed in a relatively short time frame. Typically, a therapist meets with the family to discuss the presenting problem. During this discussion, the therapist may observe the hierarchy of the family and how families communicate with one another. The dynamics between parent and child, as well as other family members, can offer insight into the family unit as a whole. After establishing the family dynamics, the therapist typically aims to help the family establish goals to resolve their problem. The family may be given homework or tasks outside therapy to support the accomplishment of those goals. Strategic family systems therapy is sometimes used when a youth is involved with substance use.
Narrative therapy
Narrative therapy is a therapeutic technique that tends to focus on the stories we tell about ourselves and our lives. It may focus on one family’s story or how that family’s story fits into the greater context of the world. It’s based on the idea that reality is socially constructed and influenced by language. Therefore, our life narrative can influence how we understand reality. A narrative therapist aims to help people reframe the narratives they carry about themselves, their relationships, and their lives and rewrite a more positive story.
Functional family systems therapy
Functional family systems therapy is another type of short-term therapy designed to serve as either an intervention or prevention method for youths at risk for delinquent behavior. In this therapeutic modality, the therapist may work with the family to determine how the family system may be influencing a young person’s behavior. After identifying problematic family behaviors, the therapist may then help the family work to modify those behaviors by providing them with tools to improve their communication or parenting skills.
Family therapy may be an important component of a treatment plan, but it should not be used as a substitute for rehabilitation or medication for severe mental health challenges. If you're living with depression, bipolar disorder, alcoholism, or other serious mental health struggles, you may benefit from additional interventions.
Benefits of online family therapy
If your family is experiencing difficulty with your relationships, online therapy may be an convenient and supportive option to help you navigate conflict, improve communication, and understand the perspectives of others. A literature review of 20 studies confirms that online family therapy is just as effective as in-person therapy at improving the relationships and mental health of families, parents, and children.
Online family therapy may be more convenient for families than in-person options because it can be obtained from home and after hours, if necessary. The larger a family is, the more challenging it may be to coordinate travel and schedules so everyone can attend a therapy appointment, which may lead to unrealistic expectations in terms of success. However, with online therapy, appointments can be scheduled for any time when all family will be at home. Additionally, online therapy has the benefit of allowing your family to meet with multiple licensed professionals, if desired, to find the therapist who best suits the entirety of your family. Since each of your family may have different perspectives and desires for the purpose of therapy, finding a therapist who makes each family member feel understood may make therapy more impactful.
Takeaway
What is Bowen family systems theory?
Bowen family systems theory, developed by psychiatrist Murray Bowen, views the family unit as a complex emotional system. The connectedness and reactivity of an emotionally driven system means that a family member’s functional abilities are inherently linked to other members of the family. Bowen theorized that the emotional interdependence among family members evolved to promote family cooperation. However, emotional disturbances within the family can disrupt cohesion and lead to widespread problems. For example, anxiety and tension can spread rapidly among family members, significantly disrupting the emotional stability of the unit.
Bowen observed that, in many families, one or more members accommodate the tension of others. In essence, these few family members “absorbed” the stress and tension, making them more vulnerable to mental health problems. Bowen theorized that by evaluating family systems, the family emotional unit could be balanced, restoring stability to overwhelmed family members.
What are the 8 concepts of Bowen's theory?
The eight concepts of Bowen’s family systems approach are summarized below:
Triangles
A triangle is a three-person relationship system. Bowen’s theory considers three-person relationships the smallest stable relationship system, which can then “interlock” with other triangles to form larger family units and relationship systems.
Differentiation of Self
Family relationships during childhood and adolescence strongly influence a person's sense of self. The more developed their sense of self, the less influence others have on their functioning. Those with a well-differentiated self are able to assert their own needs without rejecting the opinions of others.
Nuclear Family Emotional Process
The nuclear family emotional process describes four basic relationship patterns that determine where problems develop in a family. The first, marital conflict, refers to externalized tension that adversely impacts the spouses in a nuclear family. Next, dysfunction in a spouse refers to one spouse pressuring the other to think and act in certain ways, creating substantial tension for the subordinate spouse. Third, impairment of one or more children refers to family tension that causes a child to misbehave. Finally, emotional distance occurs when a family member maintains their functioning by distancing themselves from the family.
Family Projection Process
The family projection process describes the main ways parents transmit emotional problems to a child. The process follows three steps. First, the parent or parents increase focus on the child out of fear something is wrong with the child. Then, the parent interprets the child’s behavior as confirming the fear. Finally, the parent treats the child as though something is wrong with them or that problems are severe. In reality, the parent’s own projected ideas about the child are to blame.
Multigenerational Transmission Process
The multigenerational transmission process describes how small differentiations between parents and their children accumulate over multiple generations to create substantial differences between members of the extended family. Multigenerational transmission occurs across many levels, ranging from conscious teaching to unconscious programming of emotional reactions and behaviors.
Emotional Cutoff
Emotional cutoff refers to the tendency of some family members to manage their unresolved emotional issues with other members by reducing or eliminating emotional contact with them. This may make it seem like tension is resolved, but the effects are often only temporary.
Sibling Position
Bowen’s theory incorporates the idea that the oldest, middle, and youngest siblings are each impacted by their relative position within the family unit. For example, Bown posits that older siblings are more likely to be leaders, while younger siblings are more likely to be followers. When siblings reach adulthood, their position within the family often impacts the romantic partners they choose as they develop their own nuclear families.
Societal Emotional Process
The societal emotional process describes how the concept of a family as an emotional unit influences behavior across society. For example, parents who are too lenient or overindulge their children may raise them to be entitled, leading to unreasonable expectations from society. Another example can be found among children whose consequences and punishments do not adequately modify their behavior, potentially leading to criminal actions in adulthood.
What is the primary goal of Bowen family therapy?
According to the Bown Center for the Study of the Family, an organization dedicated to the development and dissemination of Bowen Theory, the primary goal is to use systems thinking to analyze a family unit. The analysis reveals the emotional systems within the family, potentially offering effective options for solving problems related to tension and lack of cohesion.
What are the assumptions of the Bowen family systems theory?
The core assumption of Bowen’s theory is that human relationships are governed by an emotional framework that evolved over billions of years. The framework differs from higher-order “thinking brain” functions, such as language and conscious problem-solving. It is a deeper system that influences interpersonal relationships without conscious awareness of the individuals being impacted.
What is Bowen therapy, and how does it work?
Bowen therapy seeks to improve relationships between family members and ultimately reduce tension and other adverse emotions that may impact some family members more than others. Bowen family therapy explores how emotional situations are handled by focusing on how patterns for dealing with those situations are passed down over generations.
A Bowenian family therapist might use charts, diagrams and other visual aids to illustrate the family system. They also typically examine relationships between family members to identify sources of tension and stress. They also often help family members understand how responses to emotional situations can appear differently across generations and how they often change as they are passed down.
What is a criticism of Bowen therapy?
Common criticisms of Bowen’s theories include a lack of empirical evidence, poor validity across cultures, and over-adherence to a systems approach. Bowen’s theories have limited research that supports them, and evidence suggests that his theories about differentiation and marriage are not supported. Experts also question whether his theories work across cultures as they are mainly restricted to nuclear, western families. Finally, many clinicians have criticized Bowen for over-analyzing family systems and ignoring the feelings of individual family members, leading to over-interpretation of cause-and-effect interactions between family members.
What is Bowen's emotional cut-off?
Bowen’s emotional cut-off is one of the core principles of his family systems theory. It states that, in some cases, family members deal with stress and tension by distancing themselves from the family members they perceive to be causing it. While this often provides temporary relief, it does not address the underlying problem, meaning that family dysfunction is unresolved.
What is the Bowen family technique?
Bowenian family therapy focuses on intergenerational dynamics within families. It relies on analyzing family systems to find sources of tension within the family and family members who may be disproportionately affected by them. Therapists work with family members to find solutions to practical problems and restore harmony within the family unit.
What is Bowen family systems theory for couples?
Bowen’s principles are most often applied to couples who have children. In many cases, conflict between couples can be transferred to their children. The couple might focus excessively on the child’s behavior to avoid their own conflict or place blame upon the child for causing distress within their relationship. That can not only adversely impact a child’s development but often prevents the couple from adequately addressing the issues that are reducing the quality of their relationship. Therapists help couples look to each other to solve problems rather than taking out issues on their children.
What is the relationship between Bowen's theory and anxiety?
Bowen’s theories rely heavily on the principle of differentiation of the self. Differentiation occurs during childhood and adolescence and refers to how children differentiate themselves from their parents and other family members. Those who are highly differentiated may struggle to accept the opinions of others, while those who are poorly differentiated may rely too heavily on feedback from others. The best outcomes are typically seen in those who find a healthy balance between too much differentiation and too little. Evidence suggests that those who are poorly differentiated tend to experience more anxiety than those with healthier differentiation.
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