Bowen’s Intergenerational Family Therapy Concepts

Anxiety

A key concept in Bowen's theory, referring to the emotional response that can disrupt family dynamics.

Differentiation

The ability to separate one's own intellectual (thinking) and emotional (feeling) functioning from that of others.

Emotional Cutoff

A process where individuals distance themselves emotionally from their family to manage anxiety.

Emotional System

The interconnected emotional responses within a family unit.

Family Projection Process

The way parents project their emotional issues onto their children, affecting their development.

Functional Level of Differentiation

The degree to which an individual can maintain their sense of self while in emotional contact with others.

Fusion

A lack of differentiation where individuals are overly connected emotionally, leading to dysfunction.

Multigenerational Transmission Process

The passing of emotional patterns and issues through generations.

Nuclear Family Emotional System

The emotional dynamics within a nuclear family.

Sibling Position

The role and influence of an individual's birth order within the family.

Societal Regression

The impact of societal issues on family functioning.

The concept that societal issues can influence family dynamics and emotional functioning.

Triangulation

A process where two family members draw in a third to reduce anxiety in their relationship.

A situation where two family members in conflict involve a third party to stabilize the relationship.

Murray Bowen

The founder of Bowen Family Systems Theory, emphasizing the importance of family dynamics in individual behavior.

Michael Fogarty

Contributed to the development of Bowen's concepts and their application in therapy.

Philip Guerin

Worked on expanding Bowen's theories and their practical implications in family therapy.

What are the major concepts of the Intergenerational/Bowen model?

Anxiety, Differentiation, Emotional Cutoff, Emotional System, Family Projection Process, Functional Level of Differentiation, Fusion, Multigenerational Transmission Process, Nuclear Family Emotional System, Sibling Position, Societal Regression, Triangulation.

What is the theory of dysfunction according to the Intergenerational/Bowen model?

Undifferentiation results in marital conflict, dysfunction in a spouse, or symptoms of dysfunction in one or more children.

Who are the key theorists associated with the Intergenerational/Bowen model?

Bowen, Fogarty, Guerin

What is the theory of change in the Intergenerational/Bowen model?

To find an intellectual/emotional balance by increasing the ability to distinguish between thinking and feeling within the self and others, and learning to use that ability to direct one's life and solve problems.

What are the stages of therapy in the Intergenerational/Bowen model?

Emphasis on the extended family, presence of the entire family not required; creation of a genogram through questioning to identify relationship patterns; reduce anxiety levels and increase differentiation; open currently closed communication and resolve triangles in the extended family.

What is the stance of the therapist in the Intergenerational/Bowen model?

Neutral and objective, acting as a coach.

What is the significance of a genogram in the Intergenerational/Bowen model?

It is created through questioning to tease out patterns of relationships within the family.