New conceptualizations and directions in the study of family context.

Abstract

The manner in which family contexts place constraints on the universality of theoretical predictions has been of long-standing interest to developmental and family scientists. Current conceptualizations about family context, however, are evolving. Innovative thinking is emerging about how family contexts can be characterized, and there is growing appreciation that family contexts are dynamic, change across varying time scales, and that the manner in which they change impacts and alters trajectories of individual and family development. The present set of articles reflects these innovations and exemplifies how a systematic study of family context can further a richer and more comprehensive understanding of family life. We advocate a position in which the study of family context becomes a field of study in its own right and that approaching context and fit from a systems perspective will advance developmental and family science in exciting new directions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).