What does the term "family cohesion" refer to?

The term "family cohesion" refers to the level of emotional closeness and togetherness among family members. It encompasses the bonds that unite individuals within a family, including their ability to support one another, communicate effectively, and maintain healthy relationships. High family cohesion indicates that members feel a strong sense of belonging and emotional connection, which can result in positive outcomes for individual well-being and family functioning.

While aspects such as independence, physical closeness, and the frequency of gatherings can influence family dynamics, they do not capture the essence of cohesion as primarily focused on emotional ties. Independence may suggest a lack of closeness, physical proximity is not a measurement of emotional ties, and frequency of gatherings does not inherently indicate the depth of relationships. Thus, the focus on emotional closeness is what distinguishes family cohesion and highlights its importance in therapeutic contexts.