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The Context of HIV Risk Among Drug Users and Their Sexual Partners

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objective reasoning. Persons with low levels <strong>of</strong> self-differentiation are<br />

further described as dependent on the feelings <strong>of</strong> those around them,<br />

expending so much <strong>of</strong> their energy in maintaining the relationship system<br />

about them (loving, being loved, reacting against failure to get love, <strong>and</strong><br />

achieving comfort from anxiety) that there is no life energy left for other<br />

things. Another characteristic is that major life decisions are made on the<br />

basis <strong>of</strong> what “feels right” or simply on being comfortable. Persons with<br />

low levels <strong>of</strong> self-differentiation not only do not use the “differentiated I”<br />

in relationships with others, they are incapable <strong>of</strong> doing so. Further, they<br />

inherit a major portion <strong>of</strong> the world’s serious health, financial, <strong>and</strong> social<br />

problems.<br />

Bowen described persons with moderate levels <strong>of</strong> differentiation <strong>of</strong> self<br />

as being overtly emotionally dependent on others <strong>and</strong> in lifelong pursuit<br />

<strong>of</strong> the “ideal close relationship.” If they fail to achieve it (a likely<br />

probability), they may withdraw, become depressed, or pursue closeness<br />

in another relationship. Those with moderate levels <strong>of</strong> self-differentiation<br />

are recipients <strong>of</strong> a high percentage <strong>of</strong> human problems, including the full<br />

range <strong>of</strong> physical illness, emotional illness, <strong>and</strong> social dysfunctions<br />

marked by many levels <strong>of</strong> impulsive <strong>and</strong> irresponsible behavior. Finally,<br />

they tend to be involved in the use <strong>and</strong> abuse <strong>of</strong> substances to relieve the<br />

anxiety <strong>of</strong> the moment.<br />

Bowen then described the level <strong>of</strong> self-differentiation that he believed<br />

contributed to good health <strong>and</strong> should be promoted among clients <strong>and</strong><br />

their families. Those characterized as having healthy <strong>and</strong> good levels <strong>of</strong><br />

self-differentiation have an intellectual system that is sufficiently<br />

developed to begin making a few decisions without the emotional system,<br />

<strong>and</strong> they have developed a reasonable level <strong>of</strong> solid self on most <strong>of</strong> the<br />

essential issues in life. <strong>The</strong>y are able to successfully meet new situations<br />

<strong>and</strong>, while aware <strong>of</strong> the importance <strong>of</strong> relationships in life, determine<br />

their life course from within themselves rather than from what others<br />

think. Such persons are able to cope successfully with a broad range <strong>of</strong><br />

human situations <strong>and</strong> are remarkably free from the full range <strong>of</strong> human<br />

problems.<br />

Bowen’s system is subject to the criticisms <strong>of</strong> other motivational or<br />

psychodynamic theories (e.g., difficulties in operationalizing constructs,<br />

observed outcomes not uniquely predicted by theory), but it does provide<br />

a context for underst<strong>and</strong>ing behavior <strong>and</strong> a method <strong>of</strong> integrating<br />

observed behavior with potential meaning <strong>of</strong> that behavior. It is<br />

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