What Is a Strong Family?

Assessing Family Strengths and Family Functioning Style

“…As Lewis et al (1976) demonstrated, "optimally functioning or competent families appear to be [the result of] the presence and interrelationship of a number of variables" (p. 205). Similarly, Otto (1962) noted that "strengths are not isolated variables, but form clusters and constellations which are dynamic, fluid, interrelated, and interacting [italics added]" (p. 80). Therefore, one must always remain cognizant of the fact that, just as no one family member would ever be expected to display all the qualities listed next, so no one family unit would ever display all the qualities.…”

“…Oblique rather than orthogonal rotation was used because it was expected, as others have suggested, that the different qualities of strong families would be interrelated (Lewis et al, 1976;Otto, 1962). The analysis produced a fivefactor solution accounting for 60% of the variance.…”

“…The pioneering work of Otto (1962Otto ( , 1 9 6 3 , 1975 forms the foundation of the current work in the family strengths arena. Bowman (1983) aggregated and summarized much of what is currently believed to be the major indicators of the strengths of strong families.…”

Growing up in a Dual-Career Family: The Children's Perceptions

“…Family life researchers have begun to give attention to the factors that contribute to family strengths rather than focusing predominantly on familial problems and deficiencies (Anderson, 1974;Bowman, 1976;Nichols, Mumaw, Paynter, Plong, & Price, 1971;Otto, 1962;Otto, 1975;Stinnett & Sauer, 1977). In response to a concern for this more positive focus, Otto (1962) Key Words: adolescents, dual-career families, parent-child relationships, young adults.…”

“…In response to a concern for this more positive focus, Otto (1962) Key Words: adolescents, dual-career families, parent-child relationships, young adults. (Family Relations, 1986, 35, 431-437.…”