Death and chronic illness in the family : Bowen family systems theory perspectives / edited by Peter Titelman and Sydney K. Reed.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

What does it mean to be 'present and accounted for' when a family member is facing chronic illness or death? How does one define a self in relation to the ill or dying member and the family? Rooted in Murray Bowen's family systems theory, this edited volume provides conceptual ideas and applications useful to clinicians who work with families facing chronic illness or the death of a member.

The text is divided into four parts: Part I provides a detailed overview of Bowen's theory perspectives on chronic illness and death and includes Murray Bowen's seminal essay "Family Reaction to Death." In Parts II and III, chapter authors draw upon Bowen theory to intimately explore their families' reactions to and experiences with death and chronic illness. The final part uses case studies from contributors' clinical practices to aid therapists in using Bowen systems perspectives in their work with clients.

The chapters in this volume provide a rich and broad range of clinical application and personal experience by professionals who have substantial knowledge of and training in Bowen theory. Death and Chronic Illness in the Family is an essential resource for those interested in understanding the impact of death and loss in their professional work and in their personal lives.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Foreword (p. xiii)
• Preface (p. xvii)
• Acknowledgements (p. xxiii)
• About the Editors (p. xxv)
• Contributors (p. xxvii)
• Part I Bowen Theory Perspectives on Death in the Family (p. 1)
• 1 Family Reaction to Death (p. 3)
• 2 Death and Differentiation in the Family (p. 21)
• 3 A Historical Background for Bowen's Perspective on Death in the Family System (p. 51)
• 4 Toward an Objective View of Mortality: Biology, History, and the Emotional System (p. 67)
• Part II Death in the Therapist's Own Family (p. 89)
• 5 Emotional Shock Wave and Differentiation of Self (p. 91)
• 6 A Father's Early Death: A Family's Response (p. 113)
• 7 Mom's Committed Suicide: Now What? (p. 131)
• 8 Death as a Catalyst for Reconstructing the Family Emotional System (p. 149)
• 9 Territorial Behavior: Inheritance and Death in the Family (p. 173)
• Part III Chronic Illness in the Therapist's Own Family (p. 193)
• 10 A Systems View of Chronic Illness in a Spouse and Family (p. 195)
• 11 Unresolved Emotional Attachments in a Family With Chrome Illness and Death (p. 213)
• 12 Alzheimer's Disease in the Family (p. 233)
• 13 No Sympathy: A Response to a Physical Disability (p. 251)
• Part IV Death in Clinical Practice (p. 271)
• 14 Family Reaction to Death in Clinical Practice: An Approach Based on Bowen Theory (p. 273)
• 15 Family Reaction to Death: Variation in Differentiation of Self (p. 291)
• 16 Emotional Process and the Management of Chrome Illness and Death (p. 311)
• 17 Death and AIDS: Families and Society (p. 329)
• 18 A River of Silence: A Son Defines Himself in Relation to His Dying Father (p. 351)
• Introduction
• Appendix I (p. 373)
• Appendix II (p. 375)
• Index (p. 381)

Author notes provided by Syndetics