[Model Answer] Even though most family relationships are involuntary, they still need to be maintained through a variety of mechanisms: positivity, which involves communicating with family members in an upbeat and hopeful fashion; self-disclosure, which involves behaving toward other family members in ways that are consistent, trustworthy, and ethical; and assurances, which involve telling family members how much they mean to you. The answer can be found on page 235.

[Model Answer] Interparental conflict has damaging long-term consequences on the children in a family. It is associated with social problems, including lower levels of play with peers and lower friendship quality. It also leads these children to imitate their parents’ destructive interaction styles, making them more likely to exhibit aggressive and delinquent behaviors. Finally, the children feel less emotionally secure—which leads to problems as adults in forming interpersonal and romantic relationships with others. The answer can be found on page 241.

[Model Answer] Two family relationship challenges include triangulation, or the act of two family members forming an alliance against a third family member; and interparental conflict, where the parents’ antagonism for each other spills over into the broader family—with damaging consequences for the children. The answer can be found on pages 239 and 241.

[Model Answer] Family stories are important because they help create and promote a unique family identity by teaching individuals about their role in the family and about the family’s norms, values, and goals. They also give family members another way to communicate their feelings and opinions about each other and issues. Both the collaborative act of the storytelling, as well as the stories themselves, have equal value within a family—as long as the stories do not cast one member in a critical or negative light. The answer can be found on pages 229 - 230.