Family Development Theory

Abstract

Family development theory is a framework for studying family functioning and its relations across time. Family relations are observed by both an internal perspective, which draws attention to the relationships between family members, and an external perspective, which refers to the links within the social context in which the family lives. Essentially this theoretical approach examines the main transition periods that characterize each member of a family during his/her personal lifetime and the critical events that affect the family as a whole. These changes shape the family life cycle. Principles of interdependence, moments of relational collision, boundaries, resilience, communication processes, and task performance are constant elements of the family life cycle. Across the family life cycle, each family develops basic competencies, patterns of functioning, and capabilities to foster the growth of its members and its own equilibrium in order to protect itself from major disruptions in the face of crisis.