Defining family is a complex and culturally sensitive topic. Nurses must understand the interactions among family members and how the family interacts with their environment and community.

In particular, understanding the health beliefs of the family will contribute to better care planning. Considering family habits and lifestyle factors is as important in promoting family health as heredity, familial illness, and genetic factors

family — socially recognized group, usually joined by blood, marriage, cohabitation, or adoption, that forms an emotional connection and serves as an economic unit of society. conversation — communication patterns in which family members are encouraged to evaluate topics independently and discuss them with the family. conformity — communication patterns in which family members are expected to follow hierarchical family values. hereditary — when a disorder is passed naturally from parent to offspring through their genes.