Differentiation and Chronic Anxiety Symptoms in Family Emotional System: Designing and Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Intervention based on Bowen Family Systems Theory

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 Professor of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

3 Ph.D. student of psychology of health, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran

4 Associate Professor of Psychological Foundation of Education, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to design and evaluate a brief couple-based and psycho-educative intervention based on Bowen family systems theory for improving differentiation of self and reducing chronic anxiety in the family emotional system. Method: 19 couples as experimental group and 19 couples as control group participated in this semi-experimental project using accessible sampling and 2 months follow-up. The brief couple-based and psycho-educative group therapy was made in 7 sessions based on 3 techniques of Bowen therapy and 4 components of differentiation. Participants completed Differentiation of Self Inventory (DSI) and Family Genogram Interview (FGI). Findings: Data analyses indicated that this intervention improves differentiation of the family emotional system and reduces symptoms of chronic anxiety in family emotional system. Conclusion: These findings could be used for designing interventional programs considering the role of family emotional system.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 March 2015
  • Accept Date: 25 April 2015

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