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THE SIGNATURE
May 6, 2016
Ten Characteristics to Practice Building Healthy Families From Fleet and Family Support Center
NAS SIGONELLA, Sicily – Based on Dr. Coyle’s research, there are 14 different characteristics that predict family health. Some of them are more important than others, but the families who have a significant number of these qualities clearly exhibit healthier relationships than other families who do not have these characteristics. The number one trait is the ability to problem solve. Research consistently shows that couples and families who are able to identify a problem and come to agreement on a solution tend to do better over time. The second quality is affirmation. The ability to show interest in other family members and what is happening in their lives as well as a willingness to verbally express high positive regard for one another is a strong indicator of family wellbeing. Open communication is the third most important quality when it comes to family health. Parents who model and encourage the freedom to express feelings appropriately and teach the importance of listening to one another tend to have healthier families. The fourth most important characteristic is well-defined boundaries and organization within the family. It is important for all family members to understand where your family begins and ends. Family rituals and traditions ranked fifth in order of importance. Breaking bread together and reading books before bedtime are just two examples of rituals in which healthy families participate.
Next is the issue of trust. Adults and children alike experience high levels of trust in a healthy family environment. Children know they can count on their parents to meet their needs. Spouses place trust in each other and model for their children what it means to be trustworthy in a relationship. The seventh quality is sexuality. Families where the parents are openly affectionate toward one another and their children tend to be healthier. Appropriate conversations about body image, the opposite sex and healthy relationships would not be unusual in healthy families. Another predictor of family health is the family and premarital
history of the parents. Parents who felt loved and nurtured as children typically grow into healthy, well-adjusted adults. Religion, faith and values ranks ninth on the list. Sharing the same faith beliefs and values plays a significant role in healthy families. Community connectedness rounded out the top ten on the list. Families who are well-connected in the community and know where to find help in times of need appear to be healthier than those who are disconnected. “You cannot take one of the factors listed and guarantee a healthy family,” Coyle says. “However, the more of these characteristics a family has, the more likely they
are to be resilient when life hits them square in the face. The difference with healthy families is these events that are a part of life do not destroy them. They find ways to adapt and adjust and stick together as a team no matter what life hands them.” From: Building Healthy Families, by Julie Baumgardner, Certified Family Life Educator, and President & CEO of First things First Company The Fleet and Family Support Center offers counseling for individuals, couples and families to help develop healthy relationship skills and address stressful situations. Learn more by contacting the Fleet and Family Support Center at DSN: 6244291, Commercial: 095 56 4291.