Effectiveness of Bowen systemic therapy on chronic anxiety and lifestyle

Lifestyle and chronic anxiety are two basic causes of chronic diseases and family emotional system is one of the sources of chronic anxiety. The aim of this study was to design and evaluate an intervention based on Bowen family systems theory for improving health behaviors and reducing chronic anxiety in couples who had chronic anxiety symptoms in family emotional system. For this purpose, through a semi-experimental research and using accessible sampling, 38 couples were selected and considered in two experimental and control groups randomly. Before, after and after 2 months of intervention, they were evaluated according to genogram and lifestyle. The family-based and psycho-educative intervention was designed and applied in 7 sessions. Data analyses using variance analysis and repeated measures indicated that this intervention improves health behaviors and reduces chronic anxiety significantly. These findings could be used in therapeutic programs for anxiety, preventing chronic diseases and presenting a new model in health psychology based on the role of interpersonal relationships and emotional factors in health and lifestyle.