Table 3. Family Cohesion Dimension: Interrelated Concepts

  DISENGAGED SEPARATED CONNECTED ENMESHED

  (Very Low) (Low to Moderate) (Moderate to High) (Very High)

IndependenceHigh independence of family

membersModerate independence of

family membersModerate dependence of

family membersHigh dependence of family

members

Family Boundaries

Open external boundaries; closed internal boundaries;

rigid generational boundaries

Semi-open external and internal boundaries; clear generational boundaries

Semi-open external boundaries; open internal

boundaries; clear generational boundaries

Closed external boundaries. Blurred internal boundaries. Blurred

generational boundaries

CoalitionsWeak coalitions; usually a

family scapegoatMarital coalition clear Marital coalition strong Parent-child coalitions

TimeTime apart from family maximized (physically

and/or emotionally)

Time alone and together is important

Time together is important. Time alone permitted for

approved reasons

Time together maximized; little time alone permitted

SpaceSeparate space both

physically and emotionally is maximized

Private space maintained; some family space

Family space maximized; private space minimized

Little or no private space at home

FriendsMainly individual friends

seen alone; few family friends

Some individual friends; some family friends

Some individual friends; scheduled activities with couple and family friends

Limited individuals friends; mainly couple ir family friends seen

together

Decision-Making

Primarily individual decisions

Most decisions are individually based; able to

make joint decisions on family issues

Individual decisions are shared. Most decisions made

with family in mind

All decisions, both personal and relationship must be made by family

Interests and Recreation

Primarily individual activities done without family; family not involved

Some spontaneous family activities, individual activities supported

some scheduled family activities; family involved in individual interests

Most or all activities and interests must be shared with family

Table 4. Family Adaptability Dimensions: interrelated Concepts

  ASSERTIVENESS CONTROL DISCIPLINE NEGOTIATION ROLES RULESSYSTEM

FEEDBACK

Chaotic (Very High)

Passive and Aggresive styles

No leadershipLaisse-faire Very lenient

Endless negotiations; Poor problem-solving

Endless negotiations; Poor problem-solving

Dramatic role shifts; Many implicit rules; Few explicit rules; Arbitrarily enforced rules

Primarily positive loops; Few negative loops

Flexible Generally AssertiveEqualitarian with fluid changes

Democratic Unpredictable consequences

Good negortiations; Good problem solving

Role-making and sharing; Fluid change of roles

Some rule changes; More explicit than implicit rules; Rules often enforced

More negative than positive loops

Structured Generally AssertiveDemocratic with stable leader

Democratic; Predictable consequences

Structured negortiations; Good problem-solving

Some role-sharing

Few rule changes; More explicit than implicit rules; Rules usually enforced

More negative than positive loops

Rigid (Very Low)

Passive or Aggresive styles

Authoritarian leadership

Autocratic; Overly strict

Limited negotiations; Poor problem-solving

Role rigidity; Stereo-typed roles.

Rigid rules; many explicit rules; Few implicit rules; Strictly enforced rules

Primarily negative loops; Few Positive loops