As 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.

Despite the increasing popularity of mindfulness and research concerning its role in relationships, there is limited strongly relational theoretical discussion explaining the role of mindfulness in intimate couple relationships. In this article, we articulate a strongly relational view of the role of mindfulness in couple relationships. We then empirically test theoretically relevant associations using dyadic data (N = 514 heterosexual couples) from couples in the U.S. and Canada. In Study 1, we evaluated a model with male and female mindfulness predicting couple relational-connectivity (a sense of friendship, intimacy, and belonging) through couple responsible actions (behaviors intentionally enacted to strengthen couple connection), which indicated a fully mediated effect; the influence of male and female mindfulness on couple relational-connectivity was fully accounted for by associations with couple responsible actions (indirect standardized betas of .08). With a subsample of 120 of these couples, in Study 2 we used a daily diary design to explore how mindfulness was associated with ethical responsiveness (a tendency to respond benevolently to a perceived need), responsible actions, and relational-connectivity at the within-person level. Study 1 results were reinforced, showing stronger associations in these within-person analyses (indirect standardized betas of .21 and .23). In conceptualizing individual mindfulness and ethical responsiveness as dimensions of a more relational form of mindfulness, one way by which mindfulness may influence couples’ relational-connectivity is through its influence on responsible actions. These results provide initial support for using a strongly relational paradigm to understand the role of mindfulness in intimate couple relationships.

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In the ongoing discussion about the possible differences between mothering and fathering, tests of measurement invariance play an important role. However, there remains a need to investigate the measurement invariance of parental beliefs by gender. Mothers ( n = 2,236) and fathers ( n = 1,106) who attended parenting education courses reported on their beliefs using both original and validated measures. Using factor analytic techniques, we estimated a series of nested models that applied parameter constraints hierarchically to assess measurement invariance between mothers and fathers for these parenting beliefs. Results indicated strict invariance for some, but not all, constructs. Namely, beliefs regarding facilitating children’s independence and beliefs regarding structure were invariant, whereas beliefs regarding connection showed levels of systematic difference between genders. Testing invariance allows researchers to shed light on which aspects of parenting are the same and which are different, and to what extent mothering and fathering can be directly compared.

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