Bowen's Family Systems Theory

Introduction Being able to cope within a family is very important. Family members can cause great strain on each other, especially, when individuals of such family suffer from mental health problems and disability. After reading Andrea’s case study, it is clear that this family has plenty of problems that need to be fixed. A mother who is unemployed as she suffers from anxiety, major depression, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. She has been hospitalized a few times due to attempted suicide. Also, a father who is now 33 years old, unemployed, and had an accident at the age of 14 which left him with only one functioning hand. They raised a son by the name of Vincent, who is now 9 years old. He is autistic and suffers from chronic

He developed his theory with the idea that it would be beneficial for people in therapy who have a difficult time dealing with behaviors and maintaining relationships within their family unit (admin, 2016). The main focus of many therapists is to help individuals to cope within their family and give them better strategical ways of ensuring that the family stays together. Unlike other systems theory, Family Systems Theory seems to be the head start for other systems theory. In addition, ealing with the family as a unit helps to figure out the underlying issues for the presenting problems (admin, 2016). Bowen introduced the eight interlocking concepts of Family Systems Theory and how they work together in order to be successful. The different concepts include differentiation of self, emotional triangle, the family projection process, the multigenerational transmission process, emotional cutoff, systems cutoff, social emotional process, and nuclear family emotional

Because of her mental health issues and lifestyle, it seems as if her problems could have escalated within the family unit (admin, 2016). Due to the fact that she is the head of her household, she needs to be in a state of mine that will allow her to function like a responsible person. It is safe to say that if she did not have all the problems she has, the department would not have been as involved in her life. Andrea’s family can be labeled as a dysfunctional family because of all their problems. Having the assistance of a therapist can definitely help to guide her as being able to function within the family unit can be beneficial. Family therapy would be very helpful for each and every family member as the goals within family therapy is to help the dysfunctional family to be able to function normally. This can happen by working on their behavioral problems, which is changing their behavior from being a pattern to maybe being a choice (Banmen 1986). Being a single parent can be very challenging which could be the reason why it is difficult for Andrea to be a good parent to Vincent. Andrea also seems to be lacking in many areas such as being home all the time, which can cause her to have little to no self-confident. Having self-worth or self-confident, she can become a better person as it can allow her to have a voice of her own and also not having to rely on anyone for validation