What Is Murray Bowen's Family Systems Theory

F1. Theoretical Framework for Understanding the Case
Murray Bowen’s family systems theory can be applied to understanding the client’s situation and presenting problem. When Ms. Egger was twelve years old her mother was abusing drugs and alcohol, and her mother and father separated when Ms. Egger was 5 years old. As a result of her mother’s drug and alcohol abuse, Ms. Egger was removed from her mother’s care and placed into foster care. Family systems theory says that an event affecting one family member will have an effect on all family members. (Kirst-Ashman & Hull Jr., 2006) There are several concepts of Bowen’s family systems theory; a major concept that applies to Ms. Egger is the triangles (the smallest stable relationship system). (Family

Egger is the Multigenerational Transmission Process, which focuses on the small differences in the levels of differentiation between parents and their offspring. The transmission process is looking at the conscious teaching and learning of information to the automatic and unconscious programming of emotional reactions and behaviors. (The Bowen Center, n.d.) That definition is supported in this case because Ms. Egger’s mother is diagnosed with Bipolar disorder and she abused drugs and alcohol. Ms. Egger’s family system caused her to learn the behaviors of abusing drugs from her mother, even though it was unconscious. Intergenerational transmission states that a child who was maltreated may grow up to be the maltreater himself or herself. (McCoy & Keen, 2014) Ms. Egger began abusing drugs at the age of 15, and once Ms. Egger was placed into foster care as a result of her mother substance use, she remained in the system until she aged out at 21. Ms. Egger’s children were removed from her care due to her substance

Ms. Egger resides in Southeast Washington, D.C. Ms. Egger lives in a public housing apartment with her mother, daughter, and sister. Residing close to an area/neighborhood where drug use, crime, and prostitution is prevalent is not helpful for my client. Ms. Egger still communicates with people who abuse substances so she is constantly surrounded around the negative, which makes it hard to remain clean. Ms. Egger often leaves her home and is gone for several days, with no one knowing her whereabouts. It is said by her mother that she is staying in the streets and probably getting high. With Ms. Egger not complying with her mental health services and medication management, she is putting herself at risk being on the streets and in the communities where she is familiar and knows that drugs can be obtained. Ms. Egger is African American and her neighborhood and the surrounding areas are majority African Americans as well. The communities provide several resources where a variety of services can be received. The main resources in the community are from the East River and/or Far Southeast Family Collaborative’s. Those collaboratives provide counseling, housing, medical, and employment services to individuals. They also assist with the needed services for children like referrals to medical services, daycare