Circumplex Model of Family Dynamics in Turkish Families: A Comparative Typological Perspective¹.

This article focuses on examining the multicultural validity of the Circumplex Model of Marital and Family Systems—a systemic theory defining balanced and extreme psychological patterns of family functioning—within the collectivistic Turkish family context. Using data from 807 Turkish university students and latent profile analysis, the study identified a four-cluster family typology (enmeshed-balanced, midrange, chaotic-disengaged, and extremely chaotic-disengaged) that differs from the original six-cluster model developed in Western cultures, notably highlighting enmeshment as a culturally normative and healthy dynamic in Turkish families. The four-cluster model effectively distinguished family types based on circumplex total ratio, perceived family satisfaction, and quality of family communication, with partial differentiation in psychological outcomes such as subjective well-being and depression. Findings support the model's core hypothesis that even optimally functioning families may exhibit some unbalanced dynamics and underscore the importance of culturally sensitive adaptations of family system theories in collectivistic societies.