Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Family Ritual and Routine: Comparison of Clinical and Non-Clinical Families

Journal of Child and Family Studies volume 14, pages 357–372 (2005)Cite this article

Abstract

Research demonstrates that the constructive use of family rituals is reliably linked to family health and to psychosocial adjustment. This study explores the relationship between family rituals and child well-being. Two samples participated: 21 families whose adolescent was receiving psychiatric treatment and 21 families in which the adolescent was a public school student. A parent and the adolescent were individually interviewed regarding family rituals and completed standardized measures of adolescent and family functioning. Analyses demonstrated that, in addition to significant sample differences in the expected direction on measures of functioning, the non-clinical families scored significantly higher on the index of family rituality than did the treatment families; this is additional evidence that family rituals are a correlate of child well-being. Further analysis of the data pointed to “people resources” as a robust dimension in its association to adolescent functioning. The role family ritual and routine plays in defining family relationships, both within the nuclear family and with other important adults, was significantly related to clinical status. This work may point to an important, yet overlooked, dimension of family ritual life, the relational qualities of rituals and routines.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1991a). Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist/4-18 and 1991 Profile. Burlington: University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Achenbach, T. M. (1991b). Manual for the Youth Self-Report and 1991 Profile. Burlington: University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, L. A., Wolin S. J., & Reiss, D. (1987). Couples at risk for transmission of alcoholism: protective influences. Family Process, 26, 11–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, L. A., Wolin, S. J., & McAvity, K. J. (1988). Family identity, ritual, and myth: A cultural perspective on life cycle transitions. In C. J. Falicov (Ed.), Family transitions (pp. 211–234). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, L. A., Wolin, S. J., & Reiss, D. (1988a). Cognitive, behavioral, and emotional problems among school-aged children of alcoholics. American Journal of Psychiatry, 145, 85–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, L. A., Wolin, S. J., & Reiss, D. (1988b). Deliberate family process: A strategy for protecting children of alcoholics. British Journal of Addiction, 82, 821–829.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, L. A., & Wolin, S. J. (1990). Family culture and alcoholism transmission. In L. R. Collins, K. E. Leonard, B. A. Miller, & J. S. Searles (Eds.), Alcohol and the family (pp. 194–219). New York: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bosley, G. M., & Cook, A. S. (1993). Therapeutic aspects of funeral ritual: A thematic analysis. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 4, 69–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd, C. P., Gullone, E., Needleman, G. L., & Burt, T. (1997). The Family Environment Scale: Reliability and normative data for an adolescent sample. Family Process, 36, 369–373.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Braithwaite, D. O., Baxter, L. A., & Harper, A. M. (1998). The role of rituals in the management of the dialectical tension of ‘old’ and ‘new’ in blended families. Communication Studies, 49, 101–120.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bucy, J. E. (1995). An exploratory study of family rituals, parenting stress, and developmental delay in early childhood. Dissertation Abstracts International, 57(02A), 575.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bush, E. G., & Pargament, K. I. (1997). Family coping with chronic pain. Family Systems and Health, 15, 147–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • Driver, T. F. (1991). The magic of ritual: Our need for liberating rites that transform our lives and our communities. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiese, B. H. (1992). Dimensions of family rituals across two generations: Relation to adolescent identity. Family Process, 31, 151–162.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fiese, B. H. (1993). Family rituals in alcoholic and nonalcoholic households: Relations to adolescent health symptomotology and problem drinking. Family Relations, 42, 187–192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiese, B. H. (1996). Family context in pediatric psychology from a transactional perspective: Family rituals and stories as examples. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22, 183–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiese, B. H. (1997). Family context in pediatric psychology from a transactional perspective: Family rituals and stories as examples. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22, 183–196.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fiese, B. H., & Wamboldt, F. S. (2000). Family routines, rituals, and asthma management: A proposal for family-based strategies to increase treatment adherence. Family Systems and Health, 18, 405–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiese, B. H., Tomcho, T. J., Douglas, M., Josephs, K., Poltrock, S., & Baker, T. (2002). A review of 50 years of research on naturally occurring family routines and rituals: Cause for celebration? Journal of Family Psychology, 16, 381–390.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Halle, T., & Moore, K. (1998). Creating indicators of positive development. In Promoting positive and healthy behaviors in children (pp 59–65). Atlanta: The Carter Center.

  • Hawkins, C. A. (1997). Disruption of family rituals as a mediator of the relationship between parental drinking and adult adjustment in offspring. Addictive Behavior, 22, 219–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hecker, L. L., & Schindler, M. (1994). The use of rituals in family therapy: An assessment typology. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 5, 1–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Imber-Black, E. (1988). Ritual themes in families and family therapy. In E. Imber-Black & J. Roberts (Eds.), Rituals in families and family therapy (pp. 47–83). New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacob, T., & Tennenbaum, D. L. (1988). Family assessment: Rationale, methods, and future directions. New York: Plenum Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiser, L. J., McColgan, E. B., & Pruitt, D. B. (1984). Child and adolescent day treatment: A descriptive analysis of a model program. International Journal of Partial Hospitalization, 2, 263{–}274.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kiser, L. J., Nunn, W., & Millsap, P. A. (1989). Child and adolescent day treatment: Population profile. International Journal of Partial Hospitalization, 5, 287{–}305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraemer, H. C., Kazdin, A. E., & Offord, D. R. (1997). Coming to terms with the terms of risk. Archives of General Psychiatry, 54, 337–343.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Loveland-Cherry, C. J., Youngblut, J. M., & Leidy, N. W. (1990). A psychometric study of the Family Environment Scale. Nursing Research, 38, 262–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Markson, S., & Fiese, B. H. (2000). Family rituals as a protective factor for children with asthma. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 25, 471–479.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mize, L. K. (1995). Ritual experience and its emergence with story: An experience in meaning. Contemporary Family Therapy, 17, 109–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moos, R. H., & Moos, B. S. (1986). A Social Climate Scale, Family Environment Scale Manual. Palo Alto: Consulting Psychologist Press, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mullis, F., & Finched, S. F. (1996). Using rituals to define the school community. Elementary School Guidance and Counseling, 30, 243–252.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olson, F. (1993). The development and impact of ritual in couple counseling. Counseling and Values, 38, 12–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, R. J. (1999). The art of blessing: Teaching parents to create rituals. Professional School Counseling, 2, 218–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pett, M., & Lang, N. (1992). Late-life divorce. Journal of Family Issues, 13, 526–552.

    Google Scholar 

  • Portes, P. R., Howell, S. C., Brown, J. H., Eichenberger, S., & Mas, C. A. (1992). Family functions and children’s postdivorce adjustment. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 62, 613–617.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Resnick, M. D., Bearman, P. S., Blum, R. W., Bauman, K. E., Harris, K. M., Jones, J., Tabor, J., Beuhring, T., Sieving, R. E., Shew, M., Ireland, M., Bearinger, L. H., & Udry, J. R. (1997). Protecting adolescents from harm: Findings from the national longitudinal study on adolescent health. Journal of the American Medical Association, 278, 823–832.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, J. (1988). Setting the frame: Definition, functions, and typology of rituals. In E. I. Black, J. Roberts, & R. A. Whiting (Eds.), Rituals in families and family therapy (pp. 3–46). New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, J. C., & Holloway, R. L. (1991). Family rituals and the care of individual patients, Family Systems Medicine, 9, 249–259.

    Google Scholar 

  • Roosa, M. W., & Beals, J. (1990). Measurement issues in family assessment: The case of the Family Environment Scale. Family Process, 29, 191–198.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenthal, C. J., & Marshall, V. W. (1988). Generational transmission of family ritual. American Behavioral Scientist, 31, 669–684.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuck, L. A., & Bucy, J. E. (1997). Family rituals: Implications for early intervention. Early Childhood Special Education, 17, 477–494.

    Google Scholar 

  • Settles, B. H. (1993). The illusion of stability in family life: The reality of change and mobility. Marriage and Family Review, 19, 5–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Steinglass, P., Bennett, L. A., & Wolin, S. J. (1987). The alcoholic family. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • van der Hart, O., Wiztum, E., & de Voogt, A. (1988). Myths and rituals: Anthropological views and their application in strategic family therapy. In S. A. Anderson & D. A. Bagarozzi (Eds.), Family myths: Psychotherapy implications (pp. 67–79). New York: Haworth Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Viere, G. M. (2001). Examining family rituals. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 9, 285–288.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolin, S. J., Bennett, L. A., & Noonan, D. L. (1979). Family rituals and the recurrence of alcoholism over generations. American Journal of Psychiatry, 136(4B), 589–593.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolin, S. J., & Bennett, L. A. (1984). Family rituals. Family Process, 23, 401{–}420.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wolin, S. J., Bennett, L. A., & Jacobs, J. S. (1988). Assessing family rituals in alcoholic families. In E. Imber-Black, J. Roberts, & R.Whiting, (Eds.), Rituals in families and family therapy (pp. 230–256). New York: Norton.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Services Research, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland at Baltimore, 685 West Baltimore Street, MSTF 300, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201

    Laurel J. Kiser Ph.D., MBA (Associate Professor)

  2. Anthropology and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN

    Linda Bennett Ph.D. (Professor)

  3. Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Memphis, TN

    Jerry Heston M.D. (Associate Professor)

  4. Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Tennessee, Memphis, Memphis, TN

    Marilyn Paavola LCSW (Instructor)

Authors
  1. Laurel J. Kiser Ph.D., MBA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Linda Bennett Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jerry Heston M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marilyn Paavola LCSW
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laurel J. Kiser Ph.D., MBA.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kiser, L.J., Bennett, L., Heston, J. et al. Family Ritual and Routine: Comparison of Clinical and Non-Clinical Families. J Child Fam Stud 14, 357–372 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-005-6848-0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-005-6848-0

Keywords

search

Navigation