Untitled Flashcards Set

Family Cohesion

The sense of unity, togetherness, and closeness within a family.

Balanced level of cohesion

A level of emotional bonding that also respects individual family members' need for autonomy.

Characteristics of Cohesive Families

Traits that members verbally and nonverbally express appreciation, commitment, and support, leading to strong family identities.

Dinnertime importance

Family meals contribute to cohesiveness and positive behaviors in children, though participation declines with age.

Crisis management in families

Cohesive families are positively able to deal with crises and maintain gratitude for each other.

Spiritual orientation in families

Some families possess a sense of greater purpose beyond themselves, often related to hopefulness.

Positive communication patterns

Cohesive families convey respect and interest, enhancing relational satisfaction.

Parental conflict and child behavior

Ongoing parental conflict relates to children's emotional insecurity and behavior issues.

Female-demand/male-withdraw pattern

A communication cycle where women express complaints while men tend to withdraw emotionally.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Negative communication patterns as identified by John Gottman: Contempt, Criticism, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling.

Power in relationships

The ability to exercise one's will, involving both personal autonomy and social power over others.

Resource hypothesis

Asserts that the partner with more resources (like income and education) has greater power in relationships.

Situational Couple Violence

Symmetrical violence between partners that occurs during specific arguments but is less severe overall.

Coercive Controlling Violence

Abuse intended to control a partner through fear and intimidation.

Child maltreatment

Physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, or negligent treatment of a child by a responsible person.

Emotional neglect

Overly harsh treatment that belittles or fails to meet a child's emotional needs.

Division of Labor in Families

Roles defined by who takes on household tasks and responsibilities, relating to power dynamics.

Legal divorce

The formal dissolution of marriage through a court order.

Parental adjustment perspective

Focuses on how custodial parents' psychological adaptation affects children's well-being post-divorce.

Co-parenting

A collaborative approach to parenting where both parents communicate and share responsibilities.

What is family cohesion?

Family cohesion is the sense of unity, togetherness, and closeness within a family, characterized by affection, respect, and warmth among members.

What defines a balanced level of cohesion in families?

A balanced level of cohesion combines emotional bonding with individual family members' need for autonomy.

What are the characteristics of cohesive families according to Nick Stinnett?

Cohesive families express appreciation, have high commitment, value family rituals, manage crises positively, possess a spiritual orientation, maintain positive communication patterns, and engage in supportive behaviors.

Why are dinnertime and family rituals important?

They contribute to family cohesiveness and promote positive behaviors in children.

What effect does parental conflict have on children?

Ongoing parental conflict can lead to emotional insecurity and behavior issues in children.

What is passive aggression in the context of conflict?

Passive aggression is an indirect expression of anger, such as chronic criticism, sarcasm, or procrastination.

What are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse according to John Gottman?

Contempt, Criticism, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling, which are negative communication patterns detrimental to relationships.

How can unresolved family conflict affect sibling relationships?

Parental conflict may lead to unequal treatment of siblings, affecting their emotional development and power dynamics in relationships.

What does relationship-focused coping entail?

It involves each partner coping with their strain in ways that do not harm the relationship and attending to each other's emotional needs.

What role does communication play in conflict resolution within families?

Effective communication helps address misunderstandings, validate feelings, and foster cooperation in resolving conflicts.