ABSTRACT
Dr. Murray Bowen wrote, “The triangle between self and parents is the most important primary triangle in life and the one in which a person develops the triangle relationship patterns that remain relatively fixed in all relationships”. This chapter presents the theoretical framework of the triangle in Bowen theory that guided the longitudinal family. In the most stable primary triangle, an open, steady marriage tends to promote open, balanced relationships between each spouse and child. High levels of differentiation of self and/or low levels of anxiety are usually necessary for stability and flexibility in a primary triangle. A longitudinal design was selected to learn about the influence of the primary triangle on family functioning over time and to be congruent with the notion in Bowen theory that the best assessment of family process occurs over time. The Nuclear Family Functioning Scale assessed each participant’s family of procreation functioning or unit symptomology.
