Families as Coordinated Symbiotic Systems: Making use of Nonlinear Dynamic Models

Family and dynamic systems theories have emerged from basic principles of general systems theory (von Bertalanffy General systems theory. George Braziller. New York, 1968). In this chapter, we illustrate how one of the modeling frameworks being used in ecology (nonlinear dynamic models) can be used to study family systems. First, we review some of the theoretical principles at the core of dynamic systems theory that can be applied to the study of families. Second, we briefly summarize how the taxonomies used in biological ecology to describe interspecies interactions (e.g., symbiosis) have been articulated using the general mathematical framework for nonlinear dynamic models. Third, we consider how this ecological framework is being applied in the study of family systems. Fourth, we introduce an example with data collected from a married couple around the birth of their first child using an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) multiple-burst design. Finally, we indicate what we anticipate will be fruitful pursuits for future thinking and research.

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