Type
Summary
Boundary ambiguity refers to the lack of clarity about who is a member of the household and what roles each person plays. In
this study, researchers evaluated the relationship between boundary ambiguity (resulting from an adolescent leaving home) and
psychological dysfunction in rural and urban families. Results suggested that the greater the boundary ambiguity following this
normative loss, the worse the psychological outcomes for both parents; however, the effects differed between mothers and
fathers.
Citation
Boss, P., Pearce-McCall, & Greenberg, J. (1987). Normative loss in mid-life families: Rural, urban, and gender differences. Family Relations, 36, 437-443.