Family Systems Issue 6.2

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Table of Contents: 6.2

FROM THE EDITOR
Michael E. Kerr, MD

ARTICLES: Journal articles reflect natural systems thinking or are relevant to it. These may include concept papers as well as research studies.

THE “ACTION DIALOGUE” IN AN INTENSE RELATIONSHIP: A STUDY OF A SCHIZOPHRENIC GIRL AND HER MOTHER
Robert H. Dysinger, MD
Introduction: Catherine Murphy Rakow, MSW
In the first year of the research, it was observed that a change in the emotional functioning of the schizophrenic offspring could be followed by physical problems in a parent. Initially a medical internist took care of the physical complaints of the family. But as the evidence grew that emotional problems and somatic problems could have something to do with the family relationships, several changes were made in operating procedures. These changes made it possible to more readily make use of the wealth of details from observing the families. 

ADDRESSING CUTOFF IN RESIDENTIAL CARE OF DISTURBED ADOLESCENTS
Roberta M. Gilbert, MD
In our society, it is customary to remove children with severe emotional or social problems from the home of parents who are abusive or neglectful. Medication, psychotherapy for parents and child, and residential treatment are the usual forms of intervention. Contact between parent(s) and child is restricted. Rarely is the functioning of the family emotional system addressed. Rarely are the problems in the child seen as a function of the relationships in the family. The author consulted to a residential facility for disturbed adolescent girls and reports here on dramatic improvements in the girls after she implemented ideas from Bowen theory that encourage contact with family to reduce emotional cutoff and improve functioning.

BRIEF REPORTS: Brief reports present important ideas in development and promising research in its early stages.

UNRAVELLING THE COMPLEXITY OF CHILD-FOCUS
Margaret Donley, LCSW
Bowen family systems theory uses the term “child-focus” process to describe one way that family processes operate to undermine the functioning of children. The child-focus process is not one process but rather an accumulation of a certain set of conditions that can operate within a family. This paper will identify and describe the conditions that exist within a family to promote the child-focus process. 

ESTATE PLANNING AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS: A COMMENTARY ON AN ESTATE DISTRIBUTION METHOD
Ann D. Bunting, PhD
The author was motivated to write this article for three reasons. The first was to inform people that there is a fair and objective method of distributing the physical assets of an estate that might be of interest to executors. The second was to demonstrate that a level of thoughtfulness and careful planning on the part of one family member can make a difference to the functioning of the family as a whole. The third was to emphasize how the basic tenets of Bowen theory can help people negotiate their way through the many relationship challenges inherent in predictable as well as unexpected life events.

FACULTY CASE CONFERENCE: Presentation of a faculty clinical case, followed by a discussion with faculty members of the Bowen Center.

CARING FOR AGING PARENTS
Presenter: Douglas C. Murphy, MA, LCMFT
Aging and the decline in functioning leading up to death are part of the natural process of all living beings. Bowen family systems theory speaks specifically to the factors that manifest variability in the course of these processes for individuals and the variability of responsiveness to these processes by members of the family emotional system.

BOOK REVIEWS: Reviews on books relevant to Bowen theory and its many applications.

SIDE BY SIDE LEADERSHIP
Dennis A. Romig
Reviewed by Michael H. Quinn, PhD

EMOTIONAL CONTAGION
Elaine Hatfield, John T. Cacioppo, and Richard L. Rapson
Reviewed by John F. Butler, PhD