The authors compared the family interaction patterns of Japanese-
American and Caucasian families in Hawaii by rating videotapes of
structured family interactions. There were significant differences between
the two groups in many aspects of family interaction, such as power,
coalition, closeness, negotiation, clarity of self-disclosure,
responsibility, invasiveness, affect, and empathy. The differences in
family interaction could be explained by the cultural differences between
the two groups and indicate that profiles of healthy families differ
between distinct cultures, and there is a need to establish a culturally
relevant family interaction profile; otherwise normal interactions in
families outside the mainstream could be misinterpreted as
pathological.
Abstract Teaser