Family Systems Theory Paper

Bowen believed the family was an emotional unit. He hypothesized that all emotional problems occur within a single continuum of functioning. The family best develops when anxiety is low and parents have a good origin of emotional contact with family. The systems theory explains wholeness, self-organization, relationships, and interactions between parts. Pattern recognition in one part of the family system will cause changes throughout the family system is regulated by both positive and negative feedback to maintain and equilibrium in the family. Bowen believed that everyone is grounded in the natural systems theory that draws from biological and natural sciences based on principle of self-organization, repetition, and formation of patterns

One must still be considered an individual and maintain the family unit without losing one's self. Growing in to independence a person must be able to act and feel for themselves. I believe this is necessary when each individual is aware of themselves and their ability to acknowledge and be aware of one’s self for the sake of the family unit. Self-differentiated individuals can maintain successful relationship while maintaining autonomy defining themselves (Stauffer, 2015). Poorly differentiated individual is noticed to be needy and have high emotional characteristics. The interpersonal level within differentiation is when one can maintain intimacy while maintaining a healthy independence from others. An individual must be able to center themselves to not be overwhelmed by both outside and inside influences. These individual uses "I" statements which allows them to express how they feel without putting blame on others. For a person nwho lacks self-differentiation, they become dysfunctional under stress and are more prone to anxiety, stress and depression (Stauffer, 2015). They exhibit the lack of stability and have a low tolerance for