An Investigation into Bowen Family Systems Theory in an Iranian Sample

Objective: The goal of this study was achieving a better understanding of the Bowen family systems theory, especially regarding the relationships between differentiation of self, quality of relationship with parents and health dimensions in a sample of Iranian college students. Methods: A convenient sample of 210 students (102 female and 108 male) participated in the present study. They were selected from the college students who were studying in Tehran. Standard and hierarchical regression analyses were used in this correlational study. Results: The results indicated that differentiation of self influences the relationship with parents, physicalpsychological health and social relationships. Besides, the obtained results regarding moderating and mediating mechanisms indicated that persons who are more differentiated experience less conflict with parents and report better quality of social relationships than those who are less differentiated. Conclusion: These results supported the initially cross-cultural validity of Bowen theory and extended it by supporting some mechanisms that explain how differentiation of self leads to individuals’ quality of specific and social relationships and physical and psychological health.