1. Table 3. Family Cohesion Dimension: Interrelated Concepts
DISENGAGED SEPARATED CONNECTED ENMESHED
(Very Low) (Low to Moderate) (Moderate to High) (Very High)
High independence of family Moderate independence of Moderate dependence of
Independence High dependence of family members
members family members family members
Semi-open external
Open external boundaries; Semi-open external and Closed external boundaries. Blurred
Family boundaries; open internal
closed internal boundaries; internal boundaries; clear internal boundaries. Blurred
Boundaries boundaries; clear
rigid generational boundaries generational boundaries generational boundaries
generational boundaries
Weak coalitions; usually a
Coalitions Marital coalition clear Marital coalition strong Parent-child coalitions
family scapegoat
Time apart from family Time together is important.
Time alone and together is Time together maximized; little time
Time maximized (physically Time alone permitted for
important alone permitted
and/or emotionally) approved reasons
Separate space both
Private space maintained; Family space maximized;
Space physically and emotionally is
some family space private space minimized
Little or no private space at home
maximized
Mainly individual friends Some individual friends;
Some individual friends; Limited individuals friends; mainly
Friends seen alone; few family scheduled activities with
some family friends couple ir family friends seen together
friends couple and family friends
Most decisions are
Individual decisions are
Decision- Primarily individual individually based; able to All decisions, both personal and
shared. Most decisions made
Making decisions make joint decisions on
with family in mind
relationship must be made by family
family issues
Primarily individual Some spontaneous family some scheduled family
Interests and Most or all activities and interests
activities done without activities, individual activities; family involved in
Recreation must be shared with family
family; family not involved activities supported individual interests

2. Table 4. Family Adaptability Dimensions: interrelated Concepts
SYSTEM
ASSERTIVENESS CONTROL DISCIPLINE NEGOTIATION ROLES RULES
FEEDBACK
Dramatic role
shifts; Many
Endless Primarily
Chaotic Endless implicit rules;
Passive and Laisse-faire negotiations; positive loops;
(Very No leadership negotiations; Poor Few explicit
Aggresive styles Very lenient Poor problem- Few negative
High) problem-solving rules;
solving loops
Arbitrarily
enforced rules
Some rule
Role-making changes; More
Equalitarian Democratic Good negortiations; More negative
and sharing; explicit than
Flexible Generally Assertive with fluid Unpredictable Good problem than positive
Fluid change implicit rules;
changes consequences solving loops
of roles Rules often
enforced
Few rule
changes; More
Democratic Democratic; Structured More negative
Some role- explicit than
Structured Generally Assertive with stable Predictable negortiations; Good than positive
sharing implicit rules;
leader consequences problem-solving loops
Rules usually
enforced
Rigid rules;
many explicit Primarily
Rigid Limited Role rigidity;
Passive or Aggresive Authoritarian Autocratic; rules; Few negative loops;
(Very negotiations; Poor Stereo-typed
styles leadership Overly strict implicit rules; Few Positive
Low) problem-solving roles.
Strictly loops
enforced rules