Bowen’s third theoretical concept, the nuclear family emotional system, describes families’ patterns of emotional functioning within one generation, led by the dynamics between the spouses. 

​Depending on their level of differentiation, partners use some combination of the following ways to manage overly tense dynamics between them: emotional distance, conflict, sickness or dysfunction (social emotional or physical) in one spouse, and projection of problems onto the child(ren) (Bowen, 1978).