The purpose of this study based on Bowen’s family system theory was to investigate the intergenerational transmission of family-of-origin health and self-differentiation. We used self-administered questionnaires and collected data from 254 male stud...
The purpose of this study based on Bowen’s family system theory was to investigate the intergenerational transmission of family-of-origin health and self-differentiation. We used self-administered questionnaires and collected data from 254 male students and 293 female students and their parents- 547 pairs, 1,641 people. A multiple group analysis was using AMOS 5.0 program.
Five hypotheses of this study were as follows: Parents' family-of-origin health has a positive effect on their self-differentiation; Parents' family-of-origin health has a positive effect on adult children's family-of-origin health; Parents' self-differentiation has a positive effect on adult children's family-of-origin health; Parents' self-differentiation has a positive effect on adult children's self-differentiation; Adult children's family-of-origin health has a positive effect on their self-differentiation.
The main results of this study were as follows.
First, father-son model and mother-son model indicated: Father and mother's family-of-origin health had a positive effect on their self-differentiation. Father and mother's self-differentiation had influence on son's family-of-origin health. Son's family-of-origin health had influence on his self-differentiation. Father and mother's family-of-origin health had a direct effect on son's family-of-origin health. Father and mother's self-differentiation had a direct effect on son's self-differentiation. Thus, it was proven that there existed intergenerational transmission between parents and son.
Secondly, father-daughter model indicated: Father's family-of-origin health had influence on his self-differentiation. Father's self-differentiation did not have influence on daughter's family-of-origin health. Daughter's family-of-origin health had influence on her self-differentiation. Father's family-of-origin health had a direct effect on daughter's family-of-origin health. Father's self-differentiation did not have a direct effect on daughter's self-differentiation. But father's self-differentiation had an indirect effect on daughter's self-differentiation through daughter's family-of-origin health. It appeared that daughter's family-of-origin had the biggest effect on her self-differentiation in father-daughter model.
Thirdly, mother-daughter model indicated: Mother's family-of-origin health had influence on her self-differentiation. Mother's self-differentiation had influence on daughter's family-of-origin health. Daughter's family-of-origin health had influence on her self-differentiation. Mother's family-of-origin health did not have a direct effect on daughter's family-of-origin health. Mother's self-differentiation did not have a direct effect on daughter's self-differentiation. It appeared that daughter's family-of-origin had the biggest effect on her self-differentiation in mother-daughter model.
The significance of this study is as follows.
Firstly, it compiled empirical data related to intergenerational transmission by proving intergenerational relevance of Bowen’s family system theory.
Secondly, it is expected that this study will help to solve fundamental problems that focus on people or families who tended to participate in family therapy.