Family Boundary Ambiguity: A 30‐Year Review of Theory, Research, and Measurement

Keywords

ambiguous loss, boundary ambiguity, family stress, measurement, theory development

Abstract

Since its introduction 30 years ago, family boundary ambiguity (BA) has been a widely used construct in family stress research and clinical intervention. In this article, we present a comprehensive and interdisciplinary review of published research studies that have used BA as a primary variable. Our review identified 37 studies investigating BA in 11 topical domains of research (e.g., missing‐in‐action families, death, divorce, stepfamilies, illness and caregiving, clergy families). We identify theoretical advancements pertaining to the construct and the methods used to measure BA in these studies. Drawing from this review, we discuss the current state of BA scholarship and identify steps that need to be taken to advance BA research in the future.

Original Publication Citation

Carroll, J. S., Olson, C. D.*, & Buckmiller, N.* (2007). Family Boundary Ambiguity: A 30-year Review of Theory, Research, and Measurement. Family Relations, 56, 210-230.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2007-03-22

Permanent URL

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/7145

Publisher

Family Relations

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Family Life

University Standing at Time of Publication

Full Professor

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS