Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects

Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT)

Advisor

Natalie Rothman

Abstract

Our universe is characterized by tremendous diversity, variation, and uniqueness. Yet, upon viewing seemingly unrelated phenomena through common conceptual lenses, fascinating parallels arise that may suggest unseen interrelationships. I argue that, according to the natural systems-based framework of Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST), diversity can be conceptualized as a compilation of universal themes expressing themselves in infinitely iterative variations. To illustrate this point, I investigated two universally occurring systems, families and music, as they relate to BFST. More specifically, I conducted a critical analysis of the existing literature pertaining to families, music, and BFST, including the interplay between these constructs. The sample included 81 sources and comprised literature from the fields of couple and family therapy (CFT), music therapy, and other related disciplines (e.g., biology, psychology, developmental science). All sources were subjected to full-text review, which entailed a systematic color-coding process. My purpose in conducting this study was to broaden the parameters by which we engage in systemic thinking and practice. That is, understanding diversity as varying manifestations of universal themes may have wide-ranging implications not only for the field of CFT, but potentially for multidisciplinary inquiry at large. Findings from this study might also promote the incorporation of empirically-based creativity into CFT practice—for example, using music as a relational therapeutic tool to access and process the universal ambiguities of the human experience. Keywords: music systems, music therapy, family systems, couple and family therapy, natural systems thinking, Bowen Family Systems Theory, effects, effectiveness, universality and variation

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