Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) Practice Exam

According to Bowen, what is the term for the cool distance observed in parents with fluctuating closeness?

1. Emotional Systems

2. Emotional Divorce

3. Enmeshment

4. Entropy

The correct answer is: Emotional Divorce

The term that describes the cool distance observed in parents with fluctuating closeness, according to Bowen, is emotional divorce. This concept focuses on the emotional separation that can occur within a marriage or family relationship, leading to a disconnection that can cause one or both partners to withdraw emotionally while still maintaining a physical or social presence within the family unit. This phenomenon can create an environment where intimacy and genuine emotional engagement are lacking, affecting the overall dynamics of the family system. Emotional divorce can manifest in various ways, such as parents exhibiting a lack of emotional support or responsiveness to each other or their children, resulting in an unstable family environment. This term is crucial in Bowenian family therapy as it helps to identify patterns of emotional distance that impact family functioning and the relational systems among its members. Understanding emotional divorce is vital for therapists as they work to assist families in recognizing and addressing these dynamics, ultimately guiding them toward healthier emotional connections.