Family Processes and Identity

Family is a unique relationship context that influences the contents and\r\nprocesses of identity. The identity of individuals emerges, at least in part,\r\nfrom being members of a family. Moreover, the family context influences\r\nnot only the development of one’s personal identity as a family member\r\nbut also other aspects of personal identity. Family is not a neutral environment\r\nfor identity development. On the contrary, it deeply affects the\r\nindividual process, starting during adolescence, that leads to the development\r\nof one’s identity (Grotevant & Cooper, 1986). In this chapter, first we\r\nbriefly review the main theories that have tried to outline a definition of\r\nfamily, from which we have derived our own definition. Second, we analyze\r\nthe concept of family identity. We address the topic of family identity\r\nat three different levels: (1) at the group level, which is the specific identity\r\nof the family as a group; (2) at the couple subsystem level, since the couple\r\nhas its own identity and, thus, its own set of potentials to be pursued;\r\n(3) at the individual subsystem level, which is the component of individual\r\nidentity that comes from being part of a specific family group. Finally,\r\nwe aim to describe family members’ identity processes and how they are\r\naffected by the family system and in particular by the process of mutual\r\ndifferentiation.