By Reverend, Dr. Phillip Ladd, Co-President of Christian Psychological Associates (aka John R Day & Associates, Ltd)
Family Systems Theory is a theory that suggests that individuals cannot be understood as well in isolation from one another, but rather as part of their family system — as the family is an emotional unit. Families are systems containing individuals who are often interdependent and interconnected with each other. It is thought that individuals are better understood when they are seen as part of this system. The family, like other groups, is greater than the sum of its parts.
Each member of the family often has a role to play and rules to deal with. Members of the family often respond to each other in certain ways according to these rules. Patterns will often develop as a family member’s behavior is caused by or causes the behavior of someone else in the system. Sometimes these behaviors are even predictable. These behaviors can lead to either balance within the family or dysfunction, depending on the behaviors.
Health of the individual is often seen as the individual journeys toward a healthier Differentiation of Self (keeping one’s individuality while keeping one’s relatedness to significant others). Doing this helps the individual reduce dysfunctional behaviors. Furthermore, if one member of the family can change his/her functioning in a healthier way, it can oftentimes affect the entire family, helping it to also function in healthier ways.
One thing I like about Family Systems Theory is that it is very consistent with my Christian beliefs. The Bible uses the analogy of family on many occasions. I see the concept of Differentiation of Self within the Biblical text. As in the Body of Christ, each member is an individual yet connected to the other — likewise, family members must be individuals yet connected.
Exodus 34:7 talks about God visiting the sins or iniquities of the parents on the third or fourth generation. I used to have difficulty with verses such as this until I saw them systemically. It is very true according to Family System Theory. A lot of the issues that we deal with in life have a lot to do with previous generations of our families.
Thankfully, Scriptures indicate that blessings are handed down as well. The bottom line, we are understood better — with both our issues and blessings as we are able to understand our family systems better.
For more information, contact John R. Day & Associates, Christian Psychological Associates, located at 3716 West Brighton Avenue, Peoria at or their locations in Normal, Canton, Pekin, Princeton, or Eureka. Call us at 309-692-7755 or visit us online: christianpsychological.org.
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