Cross-Generational Coalitions and Well-Being: A Multivariate Analysis of Social Network Data

Cross-generational coalitions have long been linked by some family therapists to conflict in family relationships and symptomatology in family members. The relationship between cross-generational coalitions and measures of well-being in 572 nonclinical families was explored by conducting post hoc multivariate analyses on national survey data. Results indicate modest support for triadic models of family functioning. The methodology used in the analysis, particularly the way in which the variable cross-generational coalitions was created, provides a model for how new questions can be asked about existing data.