ily Systems Theory is more structural than functional. The use of systems theory in therapy based in Bowen Family Systems Theory, thus, emphasizes feedback and communication content more so than a general systems approach.
Psychopathology is viewed in Bowen Family Systems Theory as a consequence of emotional fusion, wherein an increase in the levels of emotion and anxiety has occurred because a relationship within the family that previously acted as a stabilizer has become dysfunctional through fusion. Therapy based in Bowen Family Systems Theory focuses on the development and evolution of relational patterns within families over time. From such a perspective, in the opinion of this writer, the approach has a good chance of being effective in the identification of sources of problems, but be less effective in developing problem solutions.
In the research project reported in the article being critiqued, Skowron and Schmitt (2003) focused on the Fusion with Others (FO) sub-scale. The researchers focused on the FO sub-scale because experience has indicated that the FO sub-scale is not as psychometrically sound as are the other three sub-scales in the DSI. The specific psychometric deficits of the FO sub-scale to which Skowron and Schmitt (2003) directed their efforts were (a) internal consistency reliability and (b) construct validity.
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