Bowen Teorisi Işığında Bir Vaka Çalışmasının Gözden Geçirilmesi: Benliğin Farklılaşması

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Bowen Aile Sistemleri Teorisi’nin kuramsal yapılanmasını, uygulamasını ve sonuçlarını göstermektir. Murray Bowen, aile sistemleri teorisinin kurucusu ve aile terapisindeki öncü isimlerden biridir. Bowen, “benliğin farklılaşması” terimini, füzyon olmadan duygusal ve entelektüel işleyiş arasında denge kurma kapasitesi olarak tanımlamıştır. Bowen bu terimi aile sistemi teorisi ışığında tanımlamış ve kendini farklılaştırmanın bireyin aile yaşamıyla yakından ilgili olduğuna inanmıştır. Bu terimle Bowen, duygusal olgunluğa ve duygusal ilişkilerde bağımsız düşünmeyi sürdürmeye işaret etmiştir. Bowen Teorisi, aile terapisi dünyasını büyük ölçüde etkilemiş ve ayrıca yapılan çalışmalar Bowen’ın teorisinin bireysel terapi uygulamaları üzerinde de etkinliğini göstermiştir. Bu çalışma, Bowen teorisinin formülasyonunu açıklamakta ve farklılaşma ile ilgili sorun yaşayan bir danışana uygulanmasını vurgulamaktadır. Öncelikle, bu çalışma Bowen’in teorisinin gelişimini gözden geçirecek, daha sonra Bowen’in teorisindeki sekiz önemli terimi açıklayacaktır. Son olarak, bu makale farklılaşma ile mücadele eden bireye aile sistemleri terapisi uygulanması ile ilgili klinik bir örnek sunacak ve sonuçlarını tartışacaktır.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

aile sistemleri teorisi, benliğin farklılaşması, vaka çalışması, aile terapisi

Review of A Case Study in Light of Bowen Theory: Differentiation of Self

The major purpose of this paper is to illustrate the theory, practice, and outcome of Bowen’s Family Systems Theory. Murray Bowen is a founder of the family systems theory and one of the pioneers in family therapy. Bowen defined the term “differentiation of self” as a capacity to gain a balance between emotional and intellectual functioning without fusion. Bowen established this term in light of the family system theory and he believed self-differentiation is closely related to an individual’s family life. With this term, Bowen addressed emotional maturity and maintaining independent thinking during emotional relationships. Bowen Theory has greatly influenced the world of family therapy and also studies demonstrated its effectiveness on individual therapy work. This article involves emphasizing the formulation of Bowen theory and application to a case example of an individual who struggles with differentiation. First, this paper will review the development of Bowen’s theory, then, it will illustrate Bowen’s eight interlocking terms. Finally, this paper will present a clinical example, applying family systems therapy to an individual who struggles with differentiation and discusses the outcomes.

Keywords:

family systems theory, differentiation of self, case study, family therapy,

PDF

___

Bowen, M. (1966). The use of family theory in clinical practice. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 7(5), 345–374. http://dx.doi.org 10.1016/S0010-440X(66)80065-2
Bowen, M. (1976). Theory in the practice of psychotherapy. In P. J. Guerin (Ed.), Family therapy: Theory and practice (42–90). New York: Gardner Press.
Brown, J. (1999). Bowen family systems theory: Illustration and critique. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 20 (2), 94-103.
Cook, L. (2007). Perceived conflict, sibling position, cut-off, and multigenerational transmission in the family of origin of chemically dependent persons: An application of Bowen family systems theory. Journal of Addictions Nursing, 18, 131-140. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10884600701500495
Haefner, J. (2014). An application of Bowen family systems theory. Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 35, 835-841.
Jenkins, S. M., Buboltz Jr, W. C., Schwartz, P. J., & Johnson, P. (2005). Differentiation of self and psychosocial development. Contemporary Family Therapy 27(2), 251-261. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10591-005-4042-6
Knutson-Martin, C. (1994). The female voice: Applications to Bowen’s family systems theory. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 20(1), 35-46.
MacKay, L. (2012). Trauma and Bowen family systems theory: Working with adults who were abused as children. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy 33 (3), 232-241.
McGoldrick, M & Carter, B. (2001). Advances in coaching: Family therapy with one person. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 27(3), 281-300.
Murdock, N. L, & Gore, P. A. (2004). Stress, coping, and differentiation of self: A test of Bowen theory. Contemporary Family Therapy, 26(3), 319-335. http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/B:COFT.0000037918.53929.18
Peleg-Popko, O. (2002). Bowen theory: A study of differentiation of self, social anxiety, and physiological symptoms. Contemporary Family Therapy, 24(2), 355-369.
Schnarch, D. (1997). Passionate marriage: Sex, love, and intimacy in emotionally committed relationships. New York: Norton.
Skowron, E. A. (2005). Parent differentiation of self and child competence in low-income urban families. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52(3), 337-346. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.52.3.337
Skowron, E. A. (2000). The role of differentiation of self in marital adjustment. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47 (2), 229-237
Skowron, E. A., & Dendy, A. K. (2004). Differentiation of self and attachment in adulthood: Relational correlates of effortful control. Contemporary Family Therapy, 26(3), 337-357.
Skowron, E. A., & Friedlander, M. L. (1998). The differentiation of self-inventory: Development and initial validation. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45(3), 235-246.
Skowron, E. A., Holmes, S. E., & Sabatelli, R. M. (2003).Deconstructing differentiation:Self regulation, interdependent relating, and well-being in adulthood. Contemporary Family Therapy 25(1), 111-129.
Skowron, E. A., Stanley, K. L., & Shapiro, M. D. (2009). A longitudinal perspective on differentiation of self, interpersonal and psychological well-being in young adulthood. Contemporary Family Therapy, 31, 3-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10591-008-9075-1