Current and recollected perceptions of family relationships: the social relations model approach applied to members of three generations.
Data from 81 three-generation families (comprising 567 participants) were analyzed to assess perceptions of current-family and family-of-origin relationships. The dimensions studied (Restrictiveness, Justice, Affection, and Trust) were derived from the family systems theories as developed by Boszormenyi-Nagy (I. Boszormenyi-Nagy & B. R. Krasner, 1986; I. Boszormenyi-Nagy & G. Spark, 1984; I. Boszormenyi-Nagy & D. N. Ulrich, 1981) and Stierlin (H. Stierlin, 1974, 1978; H. Stierlin, I. Rucker-Embden, N. Wetzel, & M. Wirsching, 1980). The social relations model (SRM) was used to disentangle the perception scores into characteristics of the perceiver (actor component), the target (partner component), and the family as a whole. For both current-family and family-of-origin relationships, significant variances of actor as well as family components were found. Empirical evidence for an association between current-family and (mother's) family-of-origin components was only found on the dimension of Restrictiveness. Clear differences were found between the means of current-family and family-of-origin perceptions, which could be explained by differences between current and past SRM components.
Delsing
Marc J M H
MJ
University of Nijmegen, Institute of Family and Child Care Studies, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. m.delsing@ped.kun.n
Oud
Johan H L
JH
De Bruyn
Eric E J
EE
Van Aken
Marcel A G
MA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009679:Nuclear Family; D012938:Social Perception