From the very beginning, families face challenges that threaten to pull them apart. As a family matures, the fear of losing connection and the changes that come with it can be difficult to address. This is why communication becomes even more essential.
Psychologist John Northman emphasizes the importance of feeling connected, stating that it contributes to happiness, mental health, and physical well-being. When people feel more connected, they are less likely to experience depression and are better equipped to overcome it.
Research highlights the significance of communication in families. According to Anita Vangelisti, editor of the Handbook of Family Communication, communication is crucial for creating and maintaining relationships within families.
In Military Medicine, a paper explains how communication can have both positive and negative impacts on families, depending on the situation. Overall, good family communication is vital because families are the primary source of support for individuals.
Vangelisti emphasizes different types of support that families can provide, including emotional, esteem, network, informational, and tangible support.
Once the importance of family communication is understood, the challenge lies in finding effective ways to communicate. Despite the prevalence of cell phones, maintaining connections can be tricky. While emails, texts, and calls have their benefits, they can also lack the emotional cues present in face-to-face communication.
Psychologist Arthur Bodin warns about the limitations of electronic communication in conveying emotions accurately. Nevertheless, something is better than nothing when it comes to staying connected.
Communication is especially critical for families experiencing transitions, as it can help in maintaining relationships and reducing stress. Psychologist David Olson’s Circumplex Model of Marital & Family Systems underscores the importance of togetherness, flexibility, and communication in successful family communication.
Regardless of the type of family—whether it’s the one you were born into or the one you create—communication plays a pivotal role in keeping relationships intact amidst the challenges of transitions.
The enduring ties of family history and connections are what make families resilient, even in the face of difficulties.
Establishing communication within a family requires effort and understanding, especially when family members are physically separated. Building trust and maintaining connections involve more than just deep conversations; routine and mundane discussions also play a crucial role in strengthening relationships.
Vangelisti emphasizes the importance of allowing boring conversations to be a part of long-distance communication, as they contribute significantly to maintaining connections.
Communication skills such as listening, speaking, self-disclosure, clarity, continuity tracking, respect, and regard are key components of successful family communication, according to Olson’s model.
Whether it’s the family you were born into or the one you create, effective communication is essential for navigating transitions and maintaining relationships under stress. The enduring ties of family history and connections provide a strong foundation for families to stay connected despite challenges.
Overall, communication is the lifeline that keeps families together and strong, even in times of transition and stress. The shared history and bonds within families serve as a powerful tool for maintaining connections and providing support.