Grand Canyon University Family Interview Discussion Paper

Conduct an interview with one or both of your parents about your family history. If this is not possible, consider interviewing your spouse’s parents or another older family member such as grandparents, uncles, aunts, etc. If family is not available to interview, or if this assignment is too emotionally challenging, please speak to your instructor for suggestions.

Part One:

Write a 750- 1,000 summary that includes the following elements:

An overview of your findings within your family interview. Some potential interview questions include (a) What is/was your relationship like with your parents? (b) What was your parents’ relationship like growing up? How about now? (c) What was your relationship like with your siblings growing up? How about now? (d) What was your siblings’ relationships like with your parents?

Examples of Bowenian family dynamics, which include but are not limited to relationship triangles, instances of emotional fusion and/or reactive distancing, as well as a description of the levels of differentiation in the family.

• A discussion of some of the insights you found valuable and/or interesting when applying Bowen’s concepts to the information found within your family interview.
• At least three scholarly sources (peer-reviewed journal articles, books, etc.)
• Part Two:
• Create a genogram of your family for the past two generations. The genogram can be handwritten and scanned, completed as a PDF, or completed using Word tools to ensure it can be uploaded. Include the following in your genogram: 

A key to provide an explanation of symbols used within your genogram.

Your family members, key relationship dynamics, as well as instances of mental health and substance abuse issues.