healthy family characteristics

Last reviewed 01/2018

• Communication - clear, open, direct(verbal & non-verbal), feelings and emotions freely expressed, anger seen as a need for change, each hears and responds to others
• Autonomy - family consists of separate individuals, each takes responsibilty for personal actions and behaviour
• Acceptance - respect for the unique experience of others
• Structure - clear, flexible roles, the family script, consistent rules help resolve conflict
• Leadership - power shared appropriately by parents, fair without domination, humiliation or scapegoating, noone told what to think or feel, even the youngest is considered able to contribute
• Partnership - strong bonding and coalition of parents
• Flexibility - give and take, adapt to individual needs & changing circumstances, change not seen as threatening
• Appreciation - encouragement & praise create self-esteem, loving acceptance without judgmental attitudes
• Support networks - inside and outside the family, provide strength & stability for coping with problems & stresses
• Family time - attention is paid to doing things together
• Growth - warm, nurturing, fulfilling atmosphere
• Need for intimacy - tenderness not seen as weakness, sexual interest considered a generally positive force
• Religion, philosophy and reality - positive values and beliefs, world-view is realistic but extends beyond the present

ref: No Single Thread: Psychological Health in Family Systems, JM Lewis et al, 1976, Brunner/Mazel, New York (Study by the Timberlawn Foundation, Dallas, Texas)