ABSTRACT
One of the central organizing principles of M. Bowen family systems theory is that the family is a system with complex regulating mechanisms. This chapter provides a review of a longitudinal correlational research study designed to examine cutoff in three generations of families with teenagers identified as abusing alcohol or other drugs. Cutoff is complicated but can be of extraordinary significance in a family’s life. Often a person understands cutoff only after gaining perspective and evaluating relationships in depth. Cutoff is conceptualized in Bowen family systems theory as a mechanism to handle fusion with or dependency on the previous generation. Families with high degrees of cutoff have different profiles. The Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale assesses the degree of impairment in functioning of the children and adolescents on eight dimensions: school, home, community, behavior toward others, moods—self-harm/emotions, moods—self-harm/behavior, substance abuse, and thinking.
