ABSTRACT
Th e family is the elementary unit of organisation in the lives of human beings across most cultures. So-called strong family resilience can, in itself, help people cope with crisis situations and promote positive mental health. Alternatively, families with high levels of expressed emotion can promote psychopathology. Dysfunctional family dynamics have been identifi ed as making an aetiological contribution to almost all mental health problems, from chronic schizophrenia to transient situational anxiety.
