Famiglia e relazioni: quando il contesto è qualcosa di più delle singole relazioni.

[Autom. eng. transl.] The study of the family has led study and researchers to question themselves on the most suitable research methods and instruments to capture the essence of the family. Different are the solicitations present in the literature depending on the theoretical reference bakground both relative to the family and to the methodology. The study of the family turns out to be particularly relevant as it allows the researcher to focus his attention on the relationship between relationships and group or in other terms between dyadic relationships and the context in which the relationships are inserted. The family is defined as a group, as a set of relationships, as an organization of relations characterized by gender and generation differences. Within the family studies different study objects and different levels of analysis can be distinguished. The study of the family covers the methodological reflections of the study on interpersonal relationships and groups. The present contribution intends to offer a methodological reflection on the study of the family considering it as an object of study in itself, a context in which to study the relationship, a context shared by researchers and research participants. In the reflections on the methodology of family research, a multi approach is proposed, that is a research approach that makes use of a plurality of tools and sources of information to be able to better integrate data. The multi approach by itself for now does not guarantee that the researcher actually gets knowledge about the family. The plurality of information is a necessary condition to grasp the complexity of family but it is not enough. The complexity of the family does not emerge from the juxtaposition of different information but from the integration of the various information. Switching from multi to mixed ... ... in which there is integration between the various levels, various research approaches and different informants. In the proposed study the family is understood both as a context in which a specific relationship is implemented and as a set of relationships that influence the specific relationship. 44 fraternal dyads (88 subjects) filled out a questionnaire on fraternal relations (individually) and carried out a joint task (FAST) concerning family relationships.