According to Bowen's theoretical approach to therapy, which of the following should the nurse recognize as a concept of a functional family interaction pattern?

The correct answer is choice B: "I am powerless against my addiction to alcohol."

Choice B rationale:

This statement reflects an understanding of one of the fundamental principles of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which is the acknowledgment of powerlessness over alcohol. The concept of powerlessness is a cornerstone of the 12-step program and encourages individuals to recognize that attempting to control their addiction often leads to negative consequences. This admission is crucial for clients in recovery, as it opens the door to seeking support and relying on the fellowship and guidance of AA.

Choice A rationale:

While identifying triggers for alcoholism is important, this statement does not directly capture the essence of AA's principle. The focus on identifying causes does not fully encompass the concept of powerlessness over the addiction.

Choice C rationale:

Responsibility for one's alcoholism is not a core principle of AA. Instead, the program encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and their commitment to recovery, but not for causing their addiction in the first place.

Choice D rationale:

AA is a peer support program that emphasizes personal responsibility and self-accountability. While counseling might be beneficial, the statement implies external responsibility for recovery, which contradicts the self-help nature of AA.

Choice A rationale:

Reality orientation is a technique commonly used in dementia care to help individuals be aware of time, place, and person. It is not directly related to the statement made by the client in the scenario about loving the daughter as much as the son based on academic performance.

Choice B rationale:

The correct choice. According to Eric Berne's theory of Transactional Analysis and Eric Erikson's psychosocial development stages, unconditional love is essential for fostering a positive sense of self-esteem. The statement made by the client to the daughter, linking love with better school performance, creates conditional love, implying that the daughter's worthiness of love is tied to her academic achievements. This can hinder the development of positive self-esteem.

Choice C rationale:

A sense of survival refers to basic human instincts related to self-preservation. It is not directly connected to the client's statement or the development of positive self-esteem in the context of parenting.

Choice D rationale:

A sense of responsibility involves understanding and fulfilling one's obligations. While it is important for parenting, the client's statement is more closely related to the concept of conditional love, which directly impacts self-esteem, as explained in choice B.