Family Development Theory Research Articles

Integrating Genograms and Expanded Family Development Theory in an Application Project for a Family Science Course

This paper describes an innovative approach to teaching about family development over the life course through an application project and assesses its effectiveness in student learning. The integration of genograms and expanded family development theory (FDT) into one project aims to provide an engaging and useful structure for the assignment and promote the inclusion of diverse families. In this assignment, students (1) create their family genogram and (2) write an accompanying paper to identify and apply the FDT stages and developmental tasks to each generation of their family. Assessment results demonstrate that this project provided students with a practical opportunity to apply theoretical course content to diverse, real-life families and helped to recognize family trends across generations. Students appreciated the hands-on learning experience and opportunity for self-reflection, which promoted engagement with course materials. Incorporating genograms and the expanding family life cycle helps to overcome the limitations of the original FDT by being inclusive of all families, thus contributing to more effective preparation of competent professionals.

Economic distress and perceptions of sexual intimacy in remarriage.

Economic distress and the relationship stability of remarried couples has been subject to some exploration, but less emphasis has been placed on how economic distress among remarried couples impacts other relationship domains, particularly sexual intimacy. Through the lens of multidimensional family development theory (MFDT), this study utilizes longitudinal data over a three-year period to examine the links between economic distress, couple engagement, relationship satisfaction, and perceptions of sexual intimacy among remarried couples (n = 1,161 couples; 97% White). Through a dyadic structural equation model, results showed that wives' report of economic distress was directly related to their self-rejection of a partner's sexual advances. Findings also revealed gender differences in how both relationship satisfaction and couple engagement influenced one to accept or reject their partner's sexual advances, with couple engagement acting as a significant predictor for wives. Relationship satisfaction was also found to explain (i.e., mediate) the relation between economic distress and sexual intimacy, but only for husbands. Implications for further research and interventions designed to strengthen the relationships of remarried couples dealing with economic distress and intimacy issues are offered.

Premarital Counseling and Marital Stability among Couples in Kahawa West Ward Nairobi-Kenya

The rising number of marriage breakups has become a universal disastrous phenomenon in recent times. There is an increase of reported cases of domestic violence some resulting to serious injuries and deaths. Domestic violence is like a symptom of marriage instability that can be addressed by Premarital Counseling. There are various factors that destabilize marriage in the recent time, therefore this study purposed to investigate the relationship between premarital counseling and marriage stability among couples in Kahawa West ward Nairobi Kenya. The study was guided by four objectives, to examine forms of premarital counseling given to couples, to determine levels of marriage stability among couples, to examine the perception of Premarital counseling among couples and to establish strategies that enhance marriage stability among couples. Family development theory (FDT) and Gottman theory supported the study. The study used convergent parallel design. The target population was 738 registered marriages from 6 denominational churches and one service provider from each church. A sample size of 259 marriages and 6 purposive sampled service providers totaling to 265 was employed to provide data. Purposive sampling technique was used to select service providers and simple random technique used to select couples. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation were used to analyze Quantitative data through SPSS version 2021.Findings from respondents indicated that Religious PMC was most preferred by couples. It was found that there was high level of marriage stability. Findings showed traces of variables that can cause instability such as rejection, dominance, dissolution, discontent and despair. Findings showed positive perception for PMC by couples. Finding showed strategies that can enhance stability in marriage such as mutual communication, General action, Ongoing Counseling and genetic counseling were established. Finding showed a positive significant relationship between premarital counseling and marriage stability. The study recommended Churches to advocate for PMC programs to sensitize future partners.

Developmental Tasks During the Childrearing Stage and Second Birth Intentions among Chinese Married Women: Parenting Adaptation, Division of Childcare, and Marital Adjustment

Although the globally known one-child policy in China was abolished in 2016, the overall fertility rate in the country declined to 1.3 in 2020. In this study, we examined whether the achievement of major developmental tasks during the childrearing stage was associated with intentions to have a second child among Chinese married women. Based on family development theory, we included parenting adaptation, division of childcare responsibilities with the partner, and marital adjustment as key developmental tasks during the childrearing stage. The participants of this study were 315 married Chinese women who lived with a spouse and a child who had not yet entered elementary school. Data were collected through an online survey in February and March 2021. A multiple regression analysis of the data revealed that a lower level of economic parenting stress, a higher level of fairness in dividing childcare responsibilities with the partner, and a more positive change in their marital relationship after having the first child were associated with greater intentions to have a second child.

The influence of family cohesion on self-regulation and anxiety problems among African American emerging adults.

Although African Americans have lower rates of anxiety in childhood than other racial and ethnic minority groups, they seem to experience escalating rates during emerging adulthood. Despite this, few studies have examined factors associated with anxiety during emerging adulthood among African American populations. The current study investigated the extent to which late adolescent family relationships affect anxiety problems among African American emerging adults. Informed by family development theory, family cohesion was hypothesized to indirectly effect anxiety problems through self-regulation. This model was tested with three waves of data (ages 17, 19, 21) from African Americans participating in the Maryland Adolescent Development in Context Study. Study findings were consistent with the hypothesized model: family cohesion forecasted decreased anxiety problems, indirectly, via increased self-regulation. This finding suggests that families may be an important promotive process for anxiety problems during emerging adulthood. Prevention programs that target family processes may be able to reduce anxiety problems in emerging adult African Americans.

Multidimensional family development theory: A reconceptualization of family development

AbstractAs one of the first true family theories, family development theory helps explain competing and complimentary development among family members. However, assumptions of universality and other limitations have reduced its usefulness. We propose multidimensional family development theory, a reconceptualization that includes modifications to increase utility and usability for researchers and practitioners alike. From previously composite stages, we derive four dimensions of development: personal, vocational, couple, and generative. We discuss each dimension, the relationship of dimensions within individuals, and how the dimensions exert reciprocal influence individually and across the entire family. Mechanisms for the development of the individual and family are put forth. Roles and stages are discussed within the context of the developmental dimensions. The role and influence of culture is explicated. Links between process and diversity in terms of development are posited. We discuss how the theory can be applied in research and clinical settings.

Couple Relationship Education Outcomes Predicted by Family Life Stage and Traditionality

An understudied aspect of couple relationship education (CRE) effectiveness is participant factors, including their changing needs over time. This study investigated the influence of changing needs over time on CRE outcomes. Participants (n = 692) self-selected to a CRE course and completed pre- and posttests. Family life stages were utilized to reflect changing needs, and participants were also assessed whether they fit family development theory’s expected (traditional) stage progression. Using linear mixed-effects models, we estimated the impact of family life stage on the posttest scores of three outcomes: commitment, relationship knowledge, and control rejection. We further tested whether a traditional progression interacted with family life stage. Related to our first hypothesis, if CRE outcomes differed by life stage, results indicated that the CRE outcome of commitment was different for those in the establishment and transition to parenthood stages, and the CRE outcome of knowledge differed for those in the transition to parenthood and preschool stages. The second hypothesis, an interaction between life stage and traditional (versus nontraditional) form of that stage, was supported for commitment and knowledge. Those who were in non-traditional earlier life stages and scored low on the pretest did not do as well on the posttest as their traditional counterparts. It may be that what couples need varies based on life stage and traditionality, and typical CRE courses may be less effective for non-traditional participants. Curricula should be carefully considered, to ensure it applies to the targeted participants. Theoretical implications are discussed.

Theoretical Approaches towards Studying the Transformation of the Family Institution

The transformation of the institutions of marriage, family and parenthood in recent decades in the context of rapid social, economic, cultural and technological innovations worldwide encourages theorists to look for explanations of the nature and direction of the processes that are taking place. American sociologists of the family Stan Knapp and Greg Wurm present a rather promising systematization of the theoretical approaches to changes in the institution of the family. The criteria of approaches according to the authors’ typology: relationality – vertical / horizontal, and dimensionality – single / multidimensional. This article’s purpose is to reflect on this typology so that Russian researchers go beyond theorizing in the framework of “opposing paradigms of crisis – modernization of the institution of family” disputes, which are more ideological than scientific. The institutional approach is widely represented in the works of classics of foreign and Russian sociology of the family. The classic institutional approach is expanded upon by the works of representatives of the new institutional approach. In the approach of deinstitutionalization, the main emphasis is placed on increasing individual needs, with “family” being a “pure relationship”. The diversification approach, which was mentioned among others by the author of this very article in the mid-1990’s, seems to be the most constructive from an empirical point of view. The article shows the diversification of the family institution, the spread of new family structures in many countries with references to empirical studies and statistical sources. Knapp and Wurm, the authors of the presented typology, consider the approach of institutional logic in relation to the family to be promising. The main problems of its application are discussed in article. The application of the classical theory of family development, as it was formulated in the 20th century when normative family paths were dominant, is also problematized, together with the lack of Russian longitudinal studies and works that describe modern family life paths. What western sociologists agree on, and what the analysis of Russian studies confirms, are the differences in the models of organizing private life in different social groups, at least among educated and uneducated citizens. Analysis of trends in the prevalence of alternative forms of family life in different social groups allows us to assess the nature of changes in the institutions of marriage and family, either as evolutionary or transformational.

“Show Me Your Family and I Will Show You Mine”: An Activity for Immersing Students in Family Development Theory

This paper describes and assesses “Show me your family and I will show you mine,” an active learning technique used for engaging students with family development theory (FDT). Students draw pictures of their families at three different points in time: when they entered it, when they graduated from high school, and five years from now. After allowing time for interested students to share their drawings with the class, students are asked to reflect on a number of questions that help them apply theoretical assumptions and concepts to their own life experiences. Along with providing logistical details of the in-class activity, the authors assess the extent to which the activity helped students personally apply FDT theoretical concepts and assumptions in understanding their own families over time. Results suggest students are capable of analyzing their families at three points of time using an FDT theoretical lens and language, as well as reflecting on strengths and challenges of using the theory.

Family Development Theory 30 Years Later

AbstractMattessich and Hill (1987) charted an historical overview of the family life cycle and development perspective in The Handbook of Marriage and the Family. That same year Evelyn Duvall presented a distinguished lecture at the National Council on Family Relations meeting titled, “Family Development's First Forty Years.” These academic works capture the historical foundation of family development theory by two pioneers of the theory and provide a reference point for discussing the history, current state, and future of the theory. In this article, Hill's and Duvall's historical accounts are summarized, contextualized, and used as a reference point to present four challenges to the future relevance of family development theory. Recommendations for future theory, research and practice are suggested.

Corporate Venturing in Family Business: A Developmental Approach of the Enterprising Family

Research summaryThis conceptual article discusses when and why family firms are motivated to engage in entrepreneurial activities. Drawing on family development theory, we offer midrange reasoning about the impact of enterprising family dynamics—such as the birth of a child or children leaving home—on the motivation for corporate venturing and its changes over time. Moreover, our model also accounts for the contingent effect of ownership and business developmental dimensions. Finally, we predict that motivation for corporate venturing can, in turn, spur the development of the enterprising family.Managerial summaryOvercoming the idea that family firms are either very or minimally entrepreneurial, we focus on the enterprising family and consider its development to explain the motivation toward corporate venturing. We look at the evolution of the roles and norms of family members over time and predict that motivation for venturing increases with family growth until the moment in which a succession takes place and the younger generation receives the baton. We also consider how changes in the ownership structure and business growth influence the relationship between family development and motivation for venturing. The latter, in turn, can trigger the development of the enterprising family itself, with its structure and norms. Our work, in sum, depicts the enterprising family as a springboard for repeated acts of entrepreneurship across generations. Copyright © 2016 Strategic Management Society.

Population aging in Albanian post-socialist society: Implications for care and family life

Abstract Population aging is becoming an inevitable phenomenon in Albanian post-socialist society, posing multi-faceted challenges to its individuals, families and society as a whole. Since 1991, the Albanian population has been exposed to intensive demographic changes caused by unintended aspects of socio-economic transition from a planned socialist economy to a market-oriented capitalist one (Hoff, 2008). Ongoing processes of re-organization of social institutions increased its socio-economic insecurity leading to the application of various coping mechanisms. While adjusting themselves to other aspects of life, people changed their decisions of having children and leaving the country (Hoff, 2008). On the other hand, replacement of former traditional extended family forms with diverse living arrangements and family structures has been the outcome of the combination of three factors: falling fertility, increasing life expectancy and increasing migration (INSTAT, 2014). However, family remains the basic social unit that provides support, care and protection for its old members even though its capacities are diminishing. Family Life Cycle Theory views family development as a series of stages where family members deal with various developmental tasks and play different roles as they move from one stage to another. This paper examines population aging in Albanian post-socialist society (after 1990). Based on Family Life Cycle Theory and Family Development Theory, it reviews literature and uses secondary data to discuss its implications for elderly care and family life. It concludes that population aging requires better understanding of this process in order to facilitate a series of family adaptations to respond to the changing needs of its elderly members.

Responses to Children's Media Use in Families With and Without Siblings: A Family Development Perspective

Drawing on family development theory, this study provides insight into how family stages with and without siblings are related to media habits and effects. Two national samples (N = 527 and N = 1,257) present a cross‐sectional snapshot of media uses in families across three stages of family life: families with preschoolers (2–6 years), with elementary school‐age children (7–12 years), and with adolescents (13–17 years). We observed differences between family stages in five domains of media use: alternative activities to screen media, media use, parental monitoring, consistency in applying media rules, and resistance to media effects. Generally, more positive media habits were associated with families in earlier stages, families with siblings, and families with larger age gaps in sibling spacing. But greater vulnerability to media effects was associated with those families with multiple children and gaps in sibling spacing that spanned more than one stage.

The impact of the Solution Based Casework (SBC) practice model on federal outcomes in public child welfare

ObjectiveTo test the effects of the Solution-Based Casework practice model on federal outcomes of safety, permanency and well-being. The Solution-Based Casework model combines family development theory, solution-focused skills and relapse prevention for the casework process in child protection. Method4,559 public child welfare cases were reviewed through a CQI case review process. ResultsThis study found that cases with high levels of fidelity to the model demonstrated significantly better outcomes in the areas of child safety, permanency and well-being and exceeded federal standards, while cases with low fidelity to the model failed to meet federal standards. ConclusionComponents of the Solution-Based Casework were significant predictors of these federal outcomes and accounted for variance in these outcomes better than any other casework process factors.

The Family-Centered Action Model of Intervention Layout and Implementation (FAMILI)

Parents play a fundamental role in shaping children's development, including their dietary and physical activity behaviors. Yet family-centered interventions are rarely used in obesity prevention research. Less than half of childhood obesity prevention programs include parents, and those that do include parents or a family component seldom focus on sustainable change at the level of the family. The general absence of a family-centered approach may be explained by persistent challenges in engaging parents and families and the absence of an intervention framework explicitly designed to foster family-centered programs. The Family-centered Action Model of Intervention Layout and Implementation, or FAMILI, was developed to address these needs. FAMILI draws on theories of family development to frame research and intervention design, uses a mixed-methods approach to conduct ecologically valid research, and positions family members as active participants in the development, implementation, and evaluation of family-centered obesity prevention programs. FAMILI is intended to facilitate the development of culturally responsive and sustainable prevention programs with the potential to improve outcomes. Although childhood obesity was used to illustrate the application of FAMILI, this model can be used to address a range of child health problems.

Parental Reactions to Their Child's Sexual Orientation Disclosure: A Family Stress Perspective

SYNOPSIS Existing theories of child and family development have rarely been applied to the families of same-sex-attracted young people. This review employs family stress theory as a framework to understand parental reactions to their child's sexual orientation disclosure and the impact of parental reactions on child and family development. Empirical evidence is reviewed to support the notion that parental reactions may depend on (1) the availability of family-based resources to manage the stress, (2) the meaning attributed to the stressful event, and (3) the pileup of co-occurring stressors taxing a family's coping resources. Empirical links between parental reactions and child outcomes are also discussed. There is need for research on individual, dyadic, and family factors that influence parental responses to their child's same-sex attractions.

An integrated mid‐range theory of postpartum family development: a guide for research and practice

This paper is a report of a study to identify parents' perceptions of postpartum family experiences. There is a growing worldwide emphasis on family support. Government policy in the United Kingdom advocates a family-centred approach in which a core universal postbirth service is offered to all families with additional support for parents of children with complex needs. Health visitors provide family postpartum care without an agreed theory directing or standardizing practice. There is a need to identify parental experiences to define family-centred care. A qualitative, exploratory approach was undertaken using a purposive sample of 17 postpartum families. Data were collected in one region of Northern Ireland in 2001-2002. Participants' experiences and views were accessed during two focus groups with a total of seven participants, and six in-depth interviews. Thematic analysis was conducted. One core theme, 'thriving and surviving', and three main themes, 'baby nurture', 'life changes', 'coping and adapting resources', were identified to describe how parents developed during the first 8-week postpartum. These were influenced by the physical, the psychosocial and the environmental factors. The identified themes were mapped together to form an Integrated Mid-Range Theory of Postpartum Parent Development. As parents need to negotiate successfully both present coping and future development during the postpartum period, there is a need for professionals to offer services that are orientated to holistic short- and long-term well-being. The findings, further to additional research, may be used by health visitors and other professionals to direct universal postpartum care.

Family characteristics and intergenerational conflicts over the Internet

The rapid expansion of computer use and Internet connection has the potential to change patterns of family interaction, with conflicts arising over adolescents' autonomy, parental authority and control of the computer. This study applied a conceptual framework derived from family development and human ecology theory to investigate family characteristics related to the likelihood of such conflicts. A secondary analysis was conducted of a special survey of 754 children aged 12 to 17 who used the Internet, and of their parents, performed by Pew Internet and the American Life project. Adolescent–parent conflicts over Internet use proved strongly related to the perception that the adolescent was a computer expert. Families in which adolescents were considered experts in new technologies were more likely to experience conflicts. Parents' attempt to reduce adolescent autonomy by regulating the time of Internet use increased the likelihood of family arguments over the Internet. Intergenerational conflicts over the Internet were higher in families in which parents expressed concern over the potentially negative consequences of Internet use. The implications of the findings are discussed.

A TEORIA DO DESENVOLVIMENTO DA FAMÍLIA: BUSCANDO A CONVERGÊNCIA ENTRE A TEORIA E A PRÁTICA NO COTIDIANO DOS PROFISSIONAIS DE SAÚDE

A ênfase dada às questões de família atualmente requer dos profissionais de saúde a busca de referenciais teóricos que abordem a família em sua especificidade, a fim de subsidiar suas atividades profissionais. Este estudo tem por objetivos: descrever as principais características da teoria do desenvolvimento da família, realizando um exercício de sua aplicabilidade a situações vivenciadas pelas autoras em seus cotidianos com famílias nos serviços de saúde e identificar as possibilidades e os desafios de se convergir teoria e prática no campo da saúde. O referencial utilizado é a Teoria do Desenvolvimento da Família. Trata-se de uma reflexão teórica da qual as autoras descrevem as principais características, os pressupostos e os conceitos desse objeto de estudo. Num exercício teórico-prático, as autoras voltam-se para sua prática cotidiana, buscando a convergência entre o que é preconizado pela teoria e pela prática profissional. Foram identificados como aspectos positivos da teoria os conceitos de família, a crise maturacional e situacional, a idéia de carreira familiar, entre outros. Dentre os vazios, verificou-se a ausência do conceito saúde-doença e a falta de maiores subsídios para as crises maturacionais. Como desafio para a expansão da teoria, é sugerido o aprofundamento das discussões dos conceitos inexistentes ou pouco desenvolvidos. Além disso, as autoras propõem a aplicação da teoria em diferentes situações nos serviços de saúde, com o objetivo de testar sua adequação no atendimento às famílias.

The Association Between Current Intergenerational Family Relationships and Sibling Structure

The authors examined the relationship between sibling structure variables (i.e., gender, number of sisters, number of brothers, sibling spacing, number of siblings, and birth order, all men, and all women siblings) and current relationships with parents and spouse/partners. Participants included 519 adults between the ages of 19 and 59 years. Two separate canonical correlations were conducted. The results for men indicated that being a younger man with an all‐male sibling group was related to more intimacy with parents and more intimidation by parents. For women, being an older woman with more brothers and more siblings was related to less intimidation by parents and less intimacy with parents and spouses/partners.