Name of Concept
Fusion in family systems theory
Introduction
Fusion, a concept rooted in Bowen’s family systems theory, is most closely linked to the concept of differentiation. Fusion tends to occur when poorly differentiated individuals enter into a relationship together, who may have difficulty separating their thoughts from feelings, and their own thoughts and feelings from those of others (Nichols and Schwartz 1995). Fusion may also occur intergenerationally, between parents (or caregivers) and children.
Theoretical Context
Bowen’s family systems theory addresses multigenerational emotional conflicts and anxiety, proposing that high levels of fusion are connected with family members’ poorly developed individuality (Kerr and Bowen 1988). Such individuals may demonstrate high levels of emotional reactivity, often manifested as emotional fusion or cutoff, which are both problematic relationship patterns.
Description
Too much togetherness in the relationship context breeds fusion....
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References
Kerr, M. E., & Bowen, M. (1988). Family evaluation: An approach based on Bowen theory. New York: Norton.
Lam, C. M., & Chan-So, P. C. Y. (2015). Validation of the Chinese version of differentiation of self inventory (C-DSI). Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 41, 86–101.
Nichols, M. P., & Schwartz, R. C. (1995). Family therapy: Concepts and methods (3rd ed.). Needham Heights: Allyn and Bacon.
Spencer, B., & Brown, J. (2007). Fusion or internalized homophobia? A pilot study of Bowen's differentiation of self hypothesis with lesbian couples. Family Process, 46, 257–268.
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Hundley, J.W., May, S., Chen, R. (2019). Fusion in Family Systems Theory. In: Lebow, J.L., Chambers, A.L., Breunlin, D.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_276
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_276
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