FAMILY CHRONOGRAM ANALYSIS: CONFRONTING THE METHODOLOGICAL CRISIS OF THE FAMILY DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

This study, which investigates the empirical utility of a new methodological tool in studying the family developmentally, is based on data obtained form a convenience sample of 113 respondents (80 students taking marriage and family classes at the University of Notre Dame during the Spring and Fall terms of 1981 and 33 of their parents). All families in this sample were either in the launching or post-launching stage of the family life cycle.;Family chronogram analysis is a retrospective history-taking technique comprized of two schedules and a biographical sketch. Schedule 1 was completed by all 113 respondents. Schedule 2 was completed only by the 80 students. The biographical sketch was completed by 36 students. Schedule 1 is a list of 98 events. Respondents identify the events which have occurred the family member(s) involved, the year during the family life cycle in which the event occurred, and the family members' initial evaluation of the event. Schedule 2 is a series of ten questions concerning different aspects of family life. Respondents were provided with a series of 14 graph types from which they would select one to depict how their family had changed over its career on each of the ten aspects of family life being addressed. Respondents were also given the option to draw in their own graphs if none of the ones listed adequately depicted change for a particular aspect. The biographical sketch was a written essay in which respondents outline significant events and patterns of change in their family over its career.;Inorder to confront the objectives of this research, the family development approach is reviewed, with critical analysis given to its ability to study family change. Eleven hypotheses are generated through this research to test the empirical value of both the developmental approach and the methodological strategy of family chronogram analysis. The results of this research are critically analyzed with recommendations made for future research.;The purpose of this research is twofold. This research will begin the process of determining the methodological usefulness of this new methodological tool which is called family chronogram analysis. Using this strategy an attempt will be made to test the empirical utility of the Duvall-Hill family life cycle model of family development.