Essay Example on the Family Systems Concept

Family systems is a theory developed by Murray Bowen which hold that a family is a system and individuals cannot be understood in isolation (Brown, 1999). Instead, Bowen postulates that individuals should be identified as part of a family which is an emotional unit with the ability to influence each other. Every individual in a family has a role to play, and the family systems concept can play a significant role in understanding behavior patterns (Brown, 1999). The family projection process, differentiation of self and sibling position are concepts that can be adopted in the primary care setting such as family counseling. This paper will assess how family systems concept can be adopted in the primary care setting.

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According to the family systems concept, emotional problems can be transmitted from the parents to the children. As such, in the primary care setting, the counselor can inquire the history of the parents when diagnosing a child emotional problem which promotes understanding of the emotional problem cause and how to treat it (Leon & Knapp, 2008). Family members significantly influence each other and can pass onto each other emotional stress.

The concept of differentiation of self is the family member's dependence on each other for acceptance and approval. As such, the family is a significant source of emotional support for the members within the family. In primary care setting, a counselor can use a family-based therapy approach to improve behavior and correct negative behavior by encouraging a family-based support system for patients with emotional problems such as low self-esteem or self-harm (McDanie et al., 2005).

The position of the family in the family chronological order significantly affects an individual development and behavior (Leon & Knapp, 2008). As such, in the primary care setting, counselors can use the chronological position of an individual in the family to assess their behavioral problem and create effective remedies for the behavioral problem.

Conclusion

The family systems concept is an excellent theoretical foundation that can be used in the primary care setting especially when dealing with emotional and behavioral problems because it helps to understand individual problems further and create more effective behavioral therapy. Negative behavioral influence from the family can be interpreted in family counseling using the family system concept to help ensure the issue is resolved. Understanding individuals as a family unit should be considered in behavioral assessment because family members influence each other.

References

Brown, J. (1999). Bowen family systems theory and practice: Illustration and critique. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 20(2), 94-103.

Leon, A. M., & Knapp, S. (2008). Involving family systems in critical care nursing: challenges and opportunities. Dimensions of critical care nursing, 27(6), 255-262.

McDaniel, S. H., Hepworth, J., Campbell, T. L., & Lorenz, A. (2005). Family systems concepts: Tools for assessing families in primary care.