Family Life Course

Study Notes

The family life course refers to the sequence of events and transitions that individuals experience as they move through different stages of family life.
The family life course is influenced by social, cultural, and economic factors.
Key stages of the family life course include:
- Childhood: socialization, dependency, and development
- Adolescence: exploration, identity formation, and transition to independence
- Young adulthood: establishment of independence, formation of romantic relationships, and starting a family
- Adulthood: maintaining relationships, raising children, and managing family responsibilities
- Old age: retirement, grandparenthood, and declining health

Relationship psychology focuses on the study of interpersonal relationships, including romantic relationships, friendships, and family relationships.
Key concepts in relationship psychology include:
- Attachment styles: secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized
- Intimacy: emotional closeness, physical closeness, and shared activities
- Communication: verbal and nonverbal, conflict resolution, and emotional expression
- Power dynamics: balance, negotiation, and conflict resolution
- Love and intimacy: passionate love, companionate love, and empty love

Social exchange theory: relationships are formed and maintained based on rewards and costs
Attachment theory: relationships are shaped by early attachment experiences
Equity theory: relationships are maintained based on fairness and balance
Self-expansion theory: relationships are formed and maintained based on personal growth and self-expansion

Family systems theory views the family as an interconnected system with individual members influencing each other.
Key concepts in family systems theory include:
- Homeostasis: the tendency of the family system to maintain balance and stability
- Boundaries: the lines that define individual roles and responsibilities within the family
- Feedback loops: the processes by which family members respond to each other's behaviors
- Triangulation: the process of involving a third party to resolve conflicts or manage emotions

Family developmental tasks refer to the challenges and responsibilities that families face at different stages of the family life course.
Examples of family developmental tasks include:
- Establishing independence and autonomy
- Managing conflict and resolving disagreements
- Raising children and teaching values
- Maintaining intimacy and emotional connection
- Coping with loss and change

Sequence of events and transitions that individuals experience as they move through different stages of family life
Influenced by social, cultural, and economic factors
Key stages include:
- Childhood: socialization, dependency, and development
- Adolescence: exploration, identity formation, and transition to independence
- Young adulthood: establishment of independence, formation of romantic relationships, and starting a family
- Adulthood: maintaining relationships, raising children, and managing family responsibilities
- Old age: retirement, grandparenthood, and declining health

Focuses on the study of interpersonal relationships, including romantic relationships, friendships, and family relationships
Key concepts include:
- Attachment styles: secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized
- Intimacy: emotional closeness, physical closeness, and shared activities
- Communication: verbal and nonverbal, conflict resolution, and emotional expression
- Power dynamics: balance, negotiation, and conflict resolution
- Love and intimacy: passionate love, companionate love, and empty love

Social exchange theory: relationships are formed and maintained based on rewards and costs
Attachment theory: relationships are shaped by early attachment experiences
Equity theory: relationships are maintained based on fairness and balance
Self-expansion theory: relationships are formed and maintained based on personal growth and self-expansion

Views the family as an interconnected system with individual members influencing each other
Key concepts include:
- Homeostasis: the tendency of the family system to maintain balance and stability
- Boundaries: the lines that define individual roles and responsibilities within the family
- Feedback loops: the processes by which family members respond to each other's behaviors
- Triangulation: the process of involving a third party to resolve conflicts or manage emotions

Challenges and responsibilities that families face at different stages of the family life course
Examples include:
- Establishing independence and autonomy
- Managing conflict and resolving disagreements
- Raising children and teaching values
- Maintaining intimacy and emotional connection
- Coping with loss and change