PYC4808 Assignment 3
(COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 -
DUE 17 September 2025
Kenneth Githaiga
[Email address]
,PYC4808 Assignment 3 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE 17 September
2025.. Case Study: The Jackson Family Background: The Jackson family
consists of three generations: the grandparents (George (71) and Evelyn
Jackson (65)), their son (David Jackson, 45), his wife (Laura Jackson, 41), and
their two children—Jake (17) and Lily (13). Laura’s father, Peter, is 70 and
lives in a retirement village. Her mother passed a year ago, at age 68. The
family lives in a suburban area in Pinetown. Jake was referred to
psychotherapy by his school counsellor due to signs of depression, declining
academic performance, and increasing social withdrawal over the past six
months. Jake, currently in matric (grade 12), had previously been a high-
achieving student and athlete. However, over the past 6 months, his grades
have dropped significantly, he has quit the cricket team, and has become
increasingly isolated. He spends most of his time in his room, gaming or
sleeping, and has little interaction with family or peers. Jake has also
expressed feelings of hopelessness and meaninglessness. He denies suicidal
ideation but reports chronic fatigue and difficulty concentrating. His parents,
David and Laura, brought him to a family therapist at the urging of the
school, although David initially expressed scepticism about psychotherapy.
Family History: George Jackson (71) is a retired military officer, emotionally
reserved, highly disciplined, and authoritative. George had little involvement
in raising his children emotionally but emphasised obedience, order, and
achievement. Evelyn Jackson (65) was always a stay at home wife and
mother, more emotionally expressive than George but often deferential to
his authority. She took on the emotional caretaking of the children but
struggled with anxiety and chronic health issues. George tended to make the
rules in the family, with little resistance from Evelyn. David Jackson (45) is an
only child, and is a mechanical engineer, is pragmatic and focused on
problem-solving, often emotionally distant. He grew up striving to meet his
father's standards and rarely received praise or emotional validation. David
has a perfectionistic streak and struggles with expressing emotions. Laura
Jackson (41) is a schoolteacher. She is warm and nurturing but tends to over-
function in the family, often absorbing the emotional needs of her children
and spouse. Laura comes from a family with a history of enmeshment and
covert emotional loyalty. She is often the mediator in family conflicts and
takes on the role of peacekeeper. Jake Jackson (17) is described as highly
sensitive and introspective, with a history of perfectionism and high
achievement. He is labelled as the “family’s “golden child” until recently. Lily
Jackson (13) is outgoing, socially active, and does well in school. Appears
well-adjusted but often makes dismissive comments about Jake’s
“moodiness” and seems to have adapted to being the
📄 SECTION 1: Introduction
, The Jackson family presents with a multi-layered clinical scenario, centred on 17-year-old Jake
Jackson’s recent emotional and behavioural changes, which prompted his referral for
psychotherapy. Jake’s symptoms—withdrawal, declining academic performance, and depressive
features—are concerning, particularly as he was previously a high-achieving and socially active
adolescent.
This assignment explores the Jackson family dynamics using Bowen Family Systems Theory.
This theoretical model focuses on intergenerational transmission of emotional patterns and the
differentiation of self within family systems. Bowen's theory is particularly useful in
understanding how Jake's difficulties may not be solely intrapsychic but deeply embedded in the
emotional system of his family—including influences from both his parents and grandparents.
By applying this framework, the assignment aims to uncover:
Patterns of emotional fusion,
Family roles and triangulation,
Intergenerational anxiety transmission,
And the impact of family dynamics on Jake's psychological health.
The focus will be on holistic understanding and systemic intervention, targeting both individual
well-being and family functioning.
Bowen Family Systems Theory, developed by Murray Bowen, is a systems-based approach to
understanding family functioning and individual pathology. According to Bowen, individuals
cannot be understood in isolation but rather as part of their family emotional unit.
🔹 Key Concepts of Bowen Theory:
1. Differentiation of Self
o The ability to separate one’s thoughts and feelings.
o Highly differentiated individuals can remain emotionally grounded during family
conflict.
o Low differentiation can lead to fusion or emotional cut-off.
2. Triangulation
o When anxiety between two family members is relieved by pulling in a third.
o Triangles are stable but often perpetuate dysfunction.
3. Nuclear Family Emotional System
o Refers to emotional interdependence within the immediate family.
o Symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety) often emerge in the most emotionally
sensitive family member.
4. Family Projection Process
o Parents unconsciously transmit their anxiety and emotional issues to children.
o This affects the child’s development of self and emotional health.
5. Multigenerational Transmission Process
(COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 -
DUE 17 September 2025
Kenneth Githaiga
[Email address]
,PYC4808 Assignment 3 (COMPLETE ANSWERS) 2025 - DUE 17 September
2025.. Case Study: The Jackson Family Background: The Jackson family
consists of three generations: the grandparents (George (71) and Evelyn
Jackson (65)), their son (David Jackson, 45), his wife (Laura Jackson, 41), and
their two children—Jake (17) and Lily (13). Laura’s father, Peter, is 70 and
lives in a retirement village. Her mother passed a year ago, at age 68. The
family lives in a suburban area in Pinetown. Jake was referred to
psychotherapy by his school counsellor due to signs of depression, declining
academic performance, and increasing social withdrawal over the past six
months. Jake, currently in matric (grade 12), had previously been a high-
achieving student and athlete. However, over the past 6 months, his grades
have dropped significantly, he has quit the cricket team, and has become
increasingly isolated. He spends most of his time in his room, gaming or
sleeping, and has little interaction with family or peers. Jake has also
expressed feelings of hopelessness and meaninglessness. He denies suicidal
ideation but reports chronic fatigue and difficulty concentrating. His parents,
David and Laura, brought him to a family therapist at the urging of the
school, although David initially expressed scepticism about psychotherapy.
Family History: George Jackson (71) is a retired military officer, emotionally
reserved, highly disciplined, and authoritative. George had little involvement
in raising his children emotionally but emphasised obedience, order, and
achievement. Evelyn Jackson (65) was always a stay at home wife and
mother, more emotionally expressive than George but often deferential to
his authority. She took on the emotional caretaking of the children but
struggled with anxiety and chronic health issues. George tended to make the
rules in the family, with little resistance from Evelyn. David Jackson (45) is an
only child, and is a mechanical engineer, is pragmatic and focused on
problem-solving, often emotionally distant. He grew up striving to meet his
father's standards and rarely received praise or emotional validation. David
has a perfectionistic streak and struggles with expressing emotions. Laura
Jackson (41) is a schoolteacher. She is warm and nurturing but tends to over-
function in the family, often absorbing the emotional needs of her children
and spouse. Laura comes from a family with a history of enmeshment and
covert emotional loyalty. She is often the mediator in family conflicts and
takes on the role of peacekeeper. Jake Jackson (17) is described as highly
sensitive and introspective, with a history of perfectionism and high
achievement. He is labelled as the “family’s “golden child” until recently. Lily
Jackson (13) is outgoing, socially active, and does well in school. Appears
well-adjusted but often makes dismissive comments about Jake’s
“moodiness” and seems to have adapted to being the
📄 SECTION 1: Introduction
, The Jackson family presents with a multi-layered clinical scenario, centred on 17-year-old Jake
Jackson’s recent emotional and behavioural changes, which prompted his referral for
psychotherapy. Jake’s symptoms—withdrawal, declining academic performance, and depressive
features—are concerning, particularly as he was previously a high-achieving and socially active
adolescent.
This assignment explores the Jackson family dynamics using Bowen Family Systems Theory.
This theoretical model focuses on intergenerational transmission of emotional patterns and the
differentiation of self within family systems. Bowen's theory is particularly useful in
understanding how Jake's difficulties may not be solely intrapsychic but deeply embedded in the
emotional system of his family—including influences from both his parents and grandparents.
By applying this framework, the assignment aims to uncover:
Patterns of emotional fusion,
Family roles and triangulation,
Intergenerational anxiety transmission,
And the impact of family dynamics on Jake's psychological health.
The focus will be on holistic understanding and systemic intervention, targeting both individual
well-being and family functioning.
Bowen Family Systems Theory, developed by Murray Bowen, is a systems-based approach to
understanding family functioning and individual pathology. According to Bowen, individuals
cannot be understood in isolation but rather as part of their family emotional unit.
🔹 Key Concepts of Bowen Theory:
1. Differentiation of Self
o The ability to separate one’s thoughts and feelings.
o Highly differentiated individuals can remain emotionally grounded during family
conflict.
o Low differentiation can lead to fusion or emotional cut-off.
2. Triangulation
o When anxiety between two family members is relieved by pulling in a third.
o Triangles are stable but often perpetuate dysfunction.
3. Nuclear Family Emotional System
o Refers to emotional interdependence within the immediate family.
o Symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety) often emerge in the most emotionally
sensitive family member.
4. Family Projection Process
o Parents unconsciously transmit their anxiety and emotional issues to children.
o This affects the child’s development of self and emotional health.
5. Multigenerational Transmission Process
