Family stress: Integrating theory and measurement.

Family stress theory and family stress measurement were critically reviewed. After Hill's (1949) original formulation, 4 factors in family stress were examined: the stressor, family resources, family perceptions, and stress outcomes. The research findings clearly indicated that change per se can no longer be viewed as the essence of family stress and that the focus should be on negative changes and, in particular, loss. Family resources, such as cohesiveness, flexibility, social support, and shared family values, were evaluated as key stress-resistance attributes.