This podcast episode looks at sibling position as a concept in Bowen family systems theory and originating in the research of Dr. Walter Toman. Each guest will give a brief elevator pitch of the concept, along with examples, what they find useful, and takeaway resources and ideas for further thinking.
Guest Bio
Alejandro Astorga is a psychologist and family therapist who lives in Santiago de Chile. He has a Masters in family therapy and a Masters in law in children’s rights. Alejandro is the Director of the Multigenerational Intervention Center in Santiago and a member of the Ibero-American Institute of the Bowen Center for the Study of the family. He is also Technical Director of Corporación Opcion, a non-profit organization that, in collaboration with the government, serves 15,000 children and their families throughout Chile.
Resources
- Walter Toman, “Family Constellation”: https://tinyurl.com/5dnvtpn7
- Alejandro Astorga research in Spanish: https://terapiafamiliar.cl/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/N53-2_Adolescentes-que-han-abusado.pdf and https://opcion.cl/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SerieReflexiones-01-final.pdf
- Family Matters episodes: “Sibling Position” and “Sibling Rivalry” (no link on page)
- Walter Smith, Family Projection Process (no link on page)
- TJ Therrien instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj_therrien/
- Eldest daughter research: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/first-born-daughter-study-ano_l_6674a29ce4b0ebad48f4e3e7 , https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2023/11/first-born-children-eldest-daughter-family-dynamics/675986/ and https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240220143719.htm