The Calgary Family Assessment Model is used to understand which aspects of a family?

• A. Structure, development and function at a time point
• B. Financial status only
• C. Genetic predispositions
• D. Individual health only

Answer: (A)

The Calgary Family Assessment Model examines three dimensions of a family system—structure, development, and function—through a snapshot taken at a single point in time. Structure means who makes up the family, how roles and subsystems are organized, and where boundaries and connections lie with the larger social network. Development refers to the family’s place in its life cycle and how it handles transitions and growth over time. Function looks at how the family actually operates: both instrumental tasks (daily routines, resources, caregiving activities) and expressive aspects (communication, problem-solving, emotional support). Because CFAM provides a comprehensive view of how a family is organized, how it changes, and how it functions at a given moment, it goes beyond just finances, genetics, or individual health.