Is Bowen theory valid? A review of basic research

The role of emotional dysregulation in the association between family-of-origin conflict and romantic relationship maintenance

Family-of-origin systems are consequential for the emotional well-being of offspring. These influences are likely to last into adulthood, affecting adult children's romantic relationships. The mechanisms by which family-of-origin environments influence adult romantic relationships are not fully understood. In a sample of 118 different-sex couples, we tested the effects of negative family-of-origin conflict on adult offspring's provision of relationship maintenance to their romantic partner using structural equation modeling. We evaluated emotional dysregulation as a mediator of this effect, using two measures of emotional dysregulation. Results from structural models demonstrated a negative effect of family-of-origin conflict on the provision of relationship maintenance via higher levels of emotional dysregulation. Our results highlight emotional self-regulation as a valuable intervention point for couple therapists.

Bağlanma Stilleri ve Sosyal Fobi Arasındaki İlişkide Kişilerarası İlişkiler ve Benliğin Ayrımlaşmasının Aracı Rolü

Bu çalışmanın amacı sosyal fobi, bağlanma stilleri, kişilerarası ilişkiler ve benliğin ayrımlaşması arasındaki ilişkilerin incelenmesi ve bağlanma stilleri ile sosyal fobi arasındaki ilişkide kişilerarası ilişkiler ve benliğin ayrımlaşmasının aracı rolünün belirlenmesidir. İstanbul ilinde yapılan araştırmaya, 18-70 yaş aralığında (30.60±11.66) olan 197 (%62.7) kadın ve 117 (%37.3) erkek olmak üzere toplam 314 kişi dahil edilmiştir. Veri toplama aracı olarak Liebowitz Sosyal Fobi Ölçeği, Kişilerarası İlişki Boyutları Ölçeği, İlişki Ölçekleri Anketi ve Benliğin Ayrımlaşması Ölçeği kullanılmıştır. Paralel aracılık rolleri Hayes’in PROCESS makro eklentisiyle Bootstrap yöntemi temel alınarak test edilmiştir Korelasyon analizi sonuçlarına göre değişkenler arasında zayıf ve orta düzeyde anlamlı ilişkiler bulunmuştur. Aracılık analizi bulguları ise güvenli bağlanma ve sosyal fobi-kaygı arasındaki ilişkide onay bağımlılığı, başkalarına güven ve duygusal tepkiselliğin paralel aracılık etkisinin olduğu; güvenli bağlanma ve sosyal fobi-kaçınma arasındaki ilişkide onay bağımlılığı ve başkalarına güvenin paralel aracılık etkisi olduğu; kayıtsız bağlanma ve sosyal fobi-kaygı ve kaçınma arasındaki ilişkide başkalarına güven ve duygusal tepkiselliğin paralel aracılık etkisi olduğu; korkulu bağlanma ve sosyal fobi-kaygı ve kaçınma arasındaki ilişkide onay bağımlılığı ve başkalarına güvenin paralel aracılık etkisinin olduğu; saplantılı bağlanma ve sosyal fobi-kaygı arasındaki ilişkide onay bağımlılığı, başkalarına güven ve duygusal tepkiselliğin paralel aracılık etkisi, saplantılı bağlanma ve sosyal fobi-kaçınma arasındaki ilişkide ise onay bağımlılığı ve başkalarına güvenin paralel aracılık etkisinin olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Toplam 8 anlamlı modelin, varyansın %4 ila %19’unu açıkladığı görülmüştür. Çalışmanın bulgularının bağlanma ve sosyal fobi arasındaki ilişkiye aracılık eden değişkenlerin belirlenmesi ve bu değişkenlere yönelik klinik müdahalelerin geliştirilmesi konularında çıkarımlar yapılmasına katkı sağlayabileceği söylenebilir.

The Association between Differentiation of Self and Life Satisfaction among Chinese Emerging Adults: The Mediating Effect of Hope and Coping Strategies and the Moderating Effect of Child Maltreatment History

Background: Differentiation of self (DoS) is a core construct in Bowen family systems theory. At the interpersonal level, it represents the capacity to maintain rational thinking rather than reacting emotionally, especially while under stress. Previous studies have demonstrated the positive association between DoS and life satisfaction. The current study aims to investigate the mediating roles of hope and coping strategies on this association, and whether the mediation mechanism was moderated by participants’ experience of child maltreatment. Methods: The current sample consisted of 447 Chinese college students recruited from three Chinese universities. DoS, life satisfaction, hope and coping strategies, as well as childhood maltreatment history, were measured via self-report. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed mediation and moderation effect. Results: Participants who were maltreated in childhood (n = 149) exhibited significantly lower levels of DoS, hope, and positive coping strategies than the comparison group (n = 298) at baseline and lower life satisfaction at the 3-month follow-up. Structural equation modeling analysis showed that coping strategies mediated the association between DoS and life satisfaction for both the maltreated and comparison groups. Hope appeared to have a significant mediating effect only among those in the comparison group. Conclusions: The current findings lend support to Bowen’s theoretical statement regarding the role of DoS on psychological well-being, with an incorporated viewpoint of Snyder’s hope theory.

African American marital confiding relationships: A national survey and a test of an educational intervention

We present two related studies on confiding about relationships among African Americans. Study one examined how African Americans serve as confidants in their social networks for people having couple relationship concerns. Using a national survey of African American adults, this study documented the prevalence of confiding relationships, the kinds of problems brought to confidants, and which confidant behaviors are seen as helpful and not helpful. Study two was a randomized controlled trial of Marital First Responders-AA, a culturally adapted version of the Marital First Responders program. Results showed improved skills among African Americans participants who were already natural confidants, as well greater frequency of confiding interactions in their social networks. Enhancing the abilities of natural confidants may be particularly important in the African American community because of stresses on couple relationships and the relatively lower use of therapy services.

Psychometric study of the differentiation of self scale-revised in a sample of Spanish adults

This study analyzes the psychometric properties of the Differentiation of Self Scale-Revised (DSS-R), an instrument assessing the differentiation of the self of Spanish adults through the dimensions I Position, Emotional Reactivity, Fusion with Others and Emotional Cutoff, and of a new dimension, Dominance over Others. In Study 1, carried out with 1445 subjects, exploratory factor analysis was performed with one half of the participants, and confirmatory factor analysis with the other, comparing the five-factor and bifactor models. In Study 2, examining convergent validity, 180 subjects participated and completed the revised scale and the Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised. Studies 3 and 4 verified concurrent validity, with 401 subjects completing the DSS-R and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory in Study 3, and 170 subjects completing the DSS-R and the Couple Assertion Questionnaire in Study 4. Adequate internal consistency indices and evidence of construct, convergent and concurrent validity were found. The use of the DSS-R is recommended for assessing the differentiation of the self in the Spanish population.

Differentiation of self: A scoping review of Bowen Family Systems Theory's core construct

Bowen Family Systems Theory's central construct, differentiation of self (DoS), is one of the most recognized constructs to systemic researchers and psychology professionals. The present study reviewed the available evidence on DoS from the inception of the construct until July 31, 2020. A scoping review was conducted and a total of 295 primary studies were eligible for inclusion. Literature was categorized according to the hypotheses postulated by Bowen regarding: the associations between DoS and psychological and health outcomes and how DoS stability and similarity in partner levels operate within family systems. Descriptive data regarding studies on the measurement of DoS and in the area of psychotherapy were also compiled. Results revealed that there is ample support for DoS as a predictor of psychological health and marital quality, and that there are positive associations between DoS and better physical health and intergenerational relationships. Results of this review show that there continue to be underexplored hypotheses and a paucity of longitudinal or causal research designs to test the stability of DoS, the intergenerational transmission of DoS, and the efficacy of clinical interventions in modifying DoS to promote optimal well-being. Recommendations and next steps for researchers and practitioners are outlined.

How Gender Differences in Emotional Cutoff and Reactivity Influence Couple's Sexual and Relational Outcomes

We evaluated gender differences in differentiation of self, specifically addressing aspects of emotional cutoff (EC) and emotional reactivity (ER), and their association with relational and sexual satisfaction and sexual desire. Midlife U.S. men and women (N = 334 married heterosexual couples; 50% female; 85% Caucasian, mean age 47.4 years) completed online surveys. Men reported higher levels of EC compared to women after accounting for control variables-a medium effect (Cohen's d = .48) which negatively predicted their own relationship and sexual satisfaction as well as partner relationship satisfaction. Women's EC was also negatively associated with their own relationship satisfaction. Women reported higher levels of ER compared to men after accounting for control variables-a small effect (Cohen's d = .18). No associations with ER and outcome variables were found and no other partner effects were found. For couples in which the woman was higher on ER, the association between women's T1 emotional reactivity and men's T2 sexual desire was positive and significant (B = .31, p < .05). These findings underscore the influence of emotional cutoff on relationship satisfaction and sexual desire and the importance of staying engaged even through relational conflict.

Stressful Life Events and Physical and Psychological Health: Mediating Effects of Differentiation of Self in a Spanish Sample

The pathways between differentiation of self and health remain only partly elucidated. This cross-cultural study sought to test Bowen's hypothesis about the associations between differentiation, stressful life events, and physical and psychological health, in a sample of 466 Spanish adults. Results show that people with higher levels of differentiation were less prone to physical ailments (e.g., heart disease, cancer, or blood disorders) and psychological symptoms (e.g., depression or anxiety). Further, differentiation mediated the association between stress (i.e., perceived negativity of stress in the past year and number of stressful events across the lifetime) and physical and psychological health. The current research provides cross-cultural empirical evidence for the links between differentiation and mind and body health in a Mediterranean culture.

Exploring Similarity and Stability of Differentiation in Relationships: A Dyadic Study of Bowen's Theory

Bowen family systems theory (BFST) identifies differentiation of self as a crucial characteristic that relates to one's individual and relational maturity. Bowen theorizes that an individual's level of differentiation typically remains static over time and that individuals select and pair in relationships with others who have similar levels of differentiation. This study aimed to test the hypotheses of BFST by using components of differentiation of self, emotional reactivity, and emotional cutoff, in dyadic structural equation modeling. Specifically, a longitudinal dyadic confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation longitudinal panel model were two analyses utilized to statistically test the dyadic nonindependence and stability of emotional reactivity and emotional cutoff across time. Results indicated mixed support for Bowen's assumptions regarding similarity (nonindependence) and stability. That is, small levels of nonindependence and significant stability paths across time were found. Theoretical implications and considerations for future research are discussed.

Autonomy in Relatedness: How Need Fulfillment Interacts in Close Relationships

A driving force of relationship maintenance is the fulfillment of basic psychological needs, in particular, the needs for relatedness and autonomy. Until now, research has considered the fulfillment of relatedness and autonomy needs as independent determinants of relationship functioning or as one merged construct called need fulfillment. Little is known about how motivational states interact, even though partners possess and pursue multiple needs at a time in everyday life. Combining theoretical insights from self-determination theory and family systems theory, we test the hypothesis that relatedness and autonomy need fulfillment interact to affect relationship maintenance behavior. In three studies (N = 388, N = 241, and N = 220), we found that relatedness was positively related to accommodation, but especially (or only) when participants reported high, rather than low, autonomy. This research emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of self while being closely connected to the partner.

Die deutsche Version des Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI-G)

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Die Differenzierung des Selbst ist ein zentrales Konstrukt der Familiensystemtheorie, das häufig mit dem Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI) untersucht wird. Das DSI besteht aus den vier Unterskalen „Emotional Reactivity“ (ER), „Emotional Cutoff“ (EC), „I-Position“ (IP) und „Fusion with Others“ (FO). Bislang liegt keine deutschsprachige Version dieses Fragebogens vor. Fragestellung: Entwicklung und Evaluation einer deutschen Version des DSI (DSI-G). Methode: Eine autorisierte Übersetzung wurde N = 259 gesunden Erwachsenen vorgelegt. Da die Faktorenanalyse ergab, dass FO sich in der deutschen Version nicht abbildete und eine relativ geringe Reliabilität aufwies, wurde in einer zweiten Stichprobe ( N = 63) eine Neukonstruktion dieser Unterskala vorgenommen. Das DSI mit der neuen FO-Unterskala wurde mit einer dritten Stichprobe ( N = 215) evaluiert. Ergebnisse: Die neukonstruierte FO-Unterskala bildet sich zusammen mit den anderen drei Unterskalen in einer vierfaktoriellen Lösung ab. Das DSI-G korreliert in plausibler Weise mit Depression, Ängstlichkeit, Bindungsstil und Beziehungsqualität. Alle vier Unterskalen sind hinreichend reliabel. Schlussfolgerungen: Das DSI-G ist in Forschung und Praxis einsetzbar und könnte sich vor allem in der Therapie-Evaluation als nützlich erweisen.

Sense of autonomy and daily and scholastic functioning among children with cerebral palsy

BACKGROUND

There is growing evidence that children's sense of autonomy is an important psychological need closely linked with the development of self-esteem and motivation. Among children with physical disabilities, motor or cognitive limitations may negatively affect child's sense of autonomy (CSA) and competency.

PURPOSE

To examine how sense of autonomy among children with cerebral palsy (CP) directly and indirectly relates to their activity of daily living (ADL) and scholastic performance.

METHODS

Seventy-three children with CP and their mothers participated in this study. Child's ADL skills and scholastic performance were assessed using the Pediatric Evaluation Disability Inventory (PEDI) and the Scholastic Skills Rating Scale (SSRS), respectively. Level of impairment was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure-66 (GMFM-66). CSA was established via videotaped mother-child interactions. Regression analyses were conducted to examine factors predicting child's functional level (ADL and scholastic). The overall model was tested for goodness-of-fit and test of mediation.

RESULTS

GMFM and CSA significantly predicted child's ADL and scholastic functioning. GMFM explained 15% of the variance for CSA, 84% for PEDI, and 24% for scholastic functioning. CSA positively mediated the association between GMFM and child's ADL skills. GMFM was positively associated with CSA.

CONCLUSION

Motor impairment has a substantial impact on child's level of functioning. However, child's functioning is a complex construct that is also affected by her or his sense of autonomy. Therefore, sense of autonomy can serve as a potential point of intervention to improve functioning among children with CP.

Exploring differentiation of self and organizational commitment

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether an employee’s level of organizational commitment is influenced by his or her level of differentiation of self.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a survey questionnaire among fully employed workers in the USA. Data were analyzed using a structural equation model (n=547).

Findings

The results of this study showed a positive direct relationship between differentiation of self and affective and normative types of commitment. Differentiation of self also showed a direct negative relationship with continuance commitment.

Practical implications

The results of this study suggest that managers may be able to look to differentiation of self to facilitate commitment to the organization. Managers who screen applicants at the recruitment stage or train current employees in self-differentiation may be able to increase overall commitment levels among employees of the organization.

Originality/value

This research empirically extends family systems theory to workplace settings. It also expands the understanding of organizational commitment through the perspectives of psychological and relational functioning.

Partners' Similarity in Differentiation of Self is Associated With Higher Sexual Desire: A Quantitative Dyadic Study

The relationship between sexual desire and differentiation of self in couples has been frequently discussed in clinical literature but lacks empirical support. This exploratory study investigates the associations between individual and dyadic levels of sexual desire, differentiation of self, and couple satisfaction. Similarities and discrepancies in sexual desire and differentiation of self between partners were especially targeted. Partners were expected to have a lower discrepancy of differentiation of self than unrelated individuals (Bowen's similarity hypothesis). Partners' discrepancy in differentiation of self was expected to be negatively associated with sexual desire, and higher levels of sexual desire and differentiation in the dyad were expected be positively associated with couple satisfaction. Results suggest that partners' similarity regarding differentiation of self predicted individual sexual desire. Other findings suggest that couple satisfaction was positively associated with both sexual desire and differentiation of self. Limitations and clinical implications are discussed.

On Science-Practice Integration in Everyday Life

Counseling psychologists generally agree that science-practice integration is a good thing. However, most discussions of this topic are less clear about how to actually apply scientific findings to an individual client case. In this article, the author attempts to describe a philosophy for applying research to practice in counseling psychology that requires using theory as the bridge between science and practice.

Minority Stress and Stress Proliferation Among Same-Sex and Other Marginalized Couples

Drawing from 2 largely isolated approaches to the study of social stress-stress proliferation and minority stress-the authors theorize about stress and mental health among same-sex couples. With this integrated stress framework, they hypothesized that couple-level minority stressors may be experienced by individual partners and jointly by couples as a result of the stigmatized status of their same-sex relationship-a novel concept. They also consider dyadic minority stress processes, which result from the relational experience of individual-level minority stressors between partners. Because this framework includes stressors emanating from both status- (e.g., sexual minority) and role-based (e.g., partner) stress domains, it facilitates the study of stress proliferation linking minority stress (e.g., discrimination), more commonly experienced relational stress (e.g., conflict), and mental health. This framework can be applied to the study of stress and health among other marginalized couples, such as interracial/ethnic, interfaith, and age-discrepant couples.

Validation of the Chinese version of Differentiation of Self Inventory (C-DSI)

Although the need to develop objective assessment tools in different cultures is well-recognized, there is a severe lack of objective measures about emotional functioning in the Chinese context. This project conducted three studies to validate the Chinese version of the Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI). Study 1 looked at the factor structure, internal consistency, concurrent validity, and construct validity of the C-DSI. Study 2 examined the test-retest reliability of the C-DSI. Study 3 tested the discriminant validity of the C-DSI in a clinical sample and in a nonclinical sample and examined its correlations with the General Contentment Scale (GCS). The study results suggested that the C-DSI possesses good psychometric properties. Findings also indicated implications of divergent cultures and hinted at treatment implications--taking the familistic orientation and the Chinese meaning of self into consideration to understand the differentiation of self in the Chinese culture context.

An application of Bowen family systems theory

While nurse practitioners initially work with the identified patient, Murray Bowen maintains it is the reciprocal functioning of all the members of the family which contributes to the emotional intensity of the patient. The emotional symptoms of an individual are an expression of the emotional symptoms of the family, which are often embedded in patterns of behaviors from past generations. The purpose of this paper is to facilitate understanding Bowen's theoretical concepts of family systems theory and apply these concepts to a family in therapy.

Anxiety Disorders and Latinos

Family cohesion has shown to be associated with lower psychological distress and other risk behaviors for Latinos, but little is known about the relationship of family cohesion, family discord, and anxiety disorders. Using data from the National Latino and Asian American Study ( n = 2,554), this study examines the relationship between family functioning and anxiety disorders for an aggregate Latino sample and for Latino subgroups (Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Other Hispanic). Results for the aggregate sample suggest that family discord is associated with 12-month prevalence of almost all anxiety disorders for Latinos. On the other hand, strong family cohesion is only associated with generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder. For the subgroups, different patterns of association were found, suggesting the importance of understanding the heterogeneity of Latino culture when studying and treating anxiety disorders.

An Examination of Early Maladaptive Schemas among Substance Use Treatment Seekers and their Parents

Early maladaptive schemas, which are cognitive and behavioral patterns of viewing oneself and the world that result in substantial distress, are gradually being documented as important vulnerabilities for substance abuse. Unfortunately, there is limited research on early maladaptive schemas among substance abusers and their family members. Research on this topic may carry important implications for family-focused substance use interventions. The current study examined similarities and differences in early maladaptive schemas among a sample of substance abuse treatment seeking adults (n = 47) and at least one parent (n = 58). Results demonstrated that the substance abusers scored higher than their parents on 17 of 18 early maladaptive schemas, with most differences falling into the large effect size range. There were some similarities in the specific early maladaptive schemas endorsed by both groups despite substance abusers scoring higher on all schemas. Implications of these findings for future research and family-focused substance use treatment programs are discussed.

Caregivers, young people with complex needs, and multiple service providers: a study of triangulated relationships

Five patterns of service provider-caregiver-adolescent interaction are discussed using qualitative interviews and file review data from 44 youth with complex needs who were clients of more than one psychosocial service (child welfare, mental health, addictions, juvenile justice, and special education). Findings show that young people and their families become triangulated with service providers, either engaging with, or resisting, interventions. For young people with complex needs involved with multiple service providers, both positive and negative patterns of interaction contribute to the complexity of caregiver-child interactions. According to young people themselves, the most functional of these patterns, empowerment, was experienced as protective when it helped them to meet their personal needs and enhance communication. In contrast, four problematic patterns produced triangulations described as conflictual or unsupportive. The implications of these patterns for family therapy are discussed with an emphasis on the therapist as both clinician and advocate for better services from multiple providers.

Worry about terror among young adults living in ongoing security uncertainty

The aim of the current study was to investigate worry about terror as a mediating variable, with the exogenous variables being media viewing, differentiation of self, and trait anxiety, and the endogenous variables being somatic symptoms and perceptions of security-related stress. Participants were divided into two groups by age/academic level: 248 high school students and 191 university students. A pathway correlation model was used to investigate worry about terror as a mediating variable. The central finding was that worry about terror was a significant mediating variable in the relationship between the extent of media viewing following terror events and the level of perception of security-related stress. That is, young people who said they worried a lot reported a high level of stress relating to the terror events they saw covered in the media. In addition, trait anxiety was found to have an effect on stress perception only via the level of worry about terror. This means that high levels of stress are not experienced by all highly trait-anxious people, but only by those who suffer from higher levels of worry about terror.

Intimacy, sexual desire and differentiation in couplehood: a theoretical and methodological review

The scientific community underlines that one of the main challenges for couples is the effect of time on sexual desire. Some studies suggest that although some dimensions associated with intimacy tend to increase during the relationship, sexual desire and the related constructs tend to decrease. Some researchers have recently suggested that couples' relationships with high degrees of sharing and fusion might be particularly detrimental for the sustenance of sexual desire. However, the authors found no empirical or theoretical studies that investigate the relations between intimacy and desire. Recovering the concept of differentiation as a possible influencing variable between intimacy and desire, this article develops reflections on this theme, which is of paramount relevance for the couple viability.

Therapist Personal Agency: a model for examining the training context

This study reviews the creation and testing of a model of Therapist Personal Agency during MFT training. A model including self-efficacy, trainee developmental level, supervisor working alliance, family of origin relationships, and psychological states was supported by data collected from a national sample of MFT students. The model supported by the data was consistent with much of the previous research regarding the correlates of therapist self-efficacy. Furthermore, the model accounted for 20% of the variance in therapist performance as measured by therapist reports of the working alliance. The results also highlighted the importance of attending to the relationships, interactions, and experiences that take place within the training environment and secondly, the added value that may accrue from focusing on the trainee's extended network of family relationships. A brief case example serves to illustrate the importance of tending to Therapist Personal Agency. In sum, this study provides preliminary support for holistic training methods that focus upon the whole person of the therapist.

The chabot emotional differentiation scale: a theoretically and psychometrically sound instrument for measuring Bowen's intrapsychic aspect of differentiation

Bowen's theory (1978) of differentiation is the personality variable most critical to mature development and the attainment of psychological health. The study of psychological differentiation has been confounded by confusion regarding the constructs being studied and the measurement tools used to assess them. The purpose of this review is to introduce and demonstrate the utility and importance of the Chabot Emotional Differentiation Scale (CED; Chabot, 1993), a self-report instrument specifically designed to measure Bowen's intrapsychic aspect of differentiation, or an individual's ability to distinguish between emotional and intellectual functioning and utilize intellect in emotionally charged situations. Psychometric support for the CED, validation and cross-cultural studies to date, and implications for theory, research, and practice are presented.

Family history as a tool for psychiatric nurses

In the current age of genomic health care, family history is an essential tool for health assessment, especially for those with chronic mental illness. Three methods of family history assessment (genograms, ecomaps, and pedigree analysis) are described and illustrated. Examples from the family history literature demonstrate each method's usefulness. These approaches improve both consumers' and psychiatric nurses' abilities to comprehend overall health status as well as risks at the individual, family, and community levels.