This unique volume presents the results of a study of 200 German families over a period of 16 years from 1976 to 1992. This study--the findings of which yield a host of new insights into the dynamics of cross-generational personality and family development--is based on an ecopsychological framework comprising four levels of developmental analyses: * individual level--personality development, critical life events, and corresponding coping strategies; * dyadic relationships level--changes in parent-child relationships across time and development of marital relationships; * family relationship level--development of family climate and its impact on current dyadic relationships; and * contextual/ecological level--perceived changes in societal conditions, corresponding patterns of personality and coping strategies. The authors focus on the important ideas and keep methodological details to a minimum in the text. Technical issues having to do with data analysis, etc., are discussed in an appendix.

This unique volume presents the results of a study of 200 German families over a period of 16 years from 1976 to 1992. This study--the findings of which yield a host of new insights into the dynamics of cross-generational personality and family development--is based on an ecopsychological framework comprising four levels of developmental analyses:
* individual level--personality development, critical life events, and corresponding coping strategies;
* dyadic relationships level--changes in parent-child relationships across time and development of marital relationships;
* family relationship level--development of family climate and its impact on current dyadic relationships; and
* contextual/ecological level--perceived changes in societal conditions, corresponding patterns of personality and coping strategies.
The authors focus on the important ideas and keep methodological details to a minimum in the text. Technical issues having to do with data analysis, etc., are discussed in an appendix.

Organe sind knapp, und die Zahl der Patienten, die versterben, oder nicht wieder gut zu machende Schaden an ihrer Gesundheit erleiden, bevor ihnen mit einer Transplantation geholfen werden kann, steigt standig. Nach welchen Prinzipien aber sollen Lebenschancen an Burger zugeteilt werden, die an Leben oder Gesundheit bedroht sind, wenn nicht allen von ihnen geholfen werden kann? Wer soll weiter leiden? Wer soll sterben, wenn nicht alle leben konnen? Diese Frage kann nicht allein mit medizinischem Wissen beantwortet werden; sie zwingt vielmehr unausweichlich zu normativen Wertungen und zu einer Zusammenschau dessen, was Medizin, Psychologie, Recht, Ethik und Soziologie zur Losung dieses Problems beitragen konnen. "