Family Stress Theory (ABC-X Model)

👪 Family & Child Studies By CampusDown Wiki Editorial Team Last updated October 15, 2026

Quick answer: the ABC-X model holds that whether a stressor becomes a family crisis depends on the family's resources and how it perceives the event.

Contents

1. Hill's ABC-X model
2. Double ABC-X model
3. Example
4. References

Hill's ABC-X model

Reuben Hill studied families separated and reunited during World War II in Families Under Stress (1949).

A stressor: an event that brings change, such as job loss, illness, divorce, death or children leaving home
B resources: money, family cohesion and adaptability, social support
C perception: whether the family sees the event as a threat or a manageable challenge
X crisis: the degree of disruption arising from A, B and C together

Double ABC-X model

McCubbin and Patterson (1982) added the post-crisis phase: pile-up of stressors (aA), existing and new resources (bB), perception of the whole situation (cC) and coping lead to adaptation (xX), ranging from bonadaptation to maladaptation.

Example

If a midlife family faces early retirement (A) with savings and spousal support (B) and treats it as a fresh start (C), the crisis (X) is smaller. The model frames family counselling and family welfare programmes.

References

Hill, R. (1949). Families Under Stress. Harper & Brothers.
McCubbin, H. I., & Patterson, J. M. (1982). Family adaptation to crises. In H. I. McCubbin, A. E. Cauble, & J. M. Patterson (Eds.), Family Stress, Coping, and Social Support (pp. 26-47). Charles C Thomas.
Boss, P. (2002). Family Stress Management (2nd ed.). Sage.

Reports and materials that use this theory (Korean)

There are no materials dedicated to this theory yet, but you can search related reports in the CampusDown library (Korean).

Find more reports · Search '가족 스트레스 이론' on CampusDown →

Bowen Family Systems TheoryMurray Bowen's family systems theory explained: differentiation of self, triangles, nuclear family emotional process, family projection, multigenerational transmission, emotional cutoff, sibling position, societal emotional process, genograms and criticism.👪 Family & Child Studies Empty Nest SyndromeEmpty nest syndrome explained: the sadness, loss and identity questions some parents feel when children leave home. Not a clinical diagnosis, the launching stage of the family life cycle, signs and risk factors, research on marital satisfaction, and coping strategies.👪 Family & Child Studies Family ResilienceFamily resilience explained: a family's capacity to withstand and rebound from adversity as a unit, how it differs from individual resilience, Froma Walsh's nine key processes in three domains, McCubbin's model and practice uses.👪 Family & Child Studies Family Strengths TheoryFamily strengths theory explained: Stinnett and DeFrain's six qualities of strong families (commitment, appreciation, communication, time together, spiritual well-being, coping with stress), its contrast with deficit models and use in family education.👪 Family & Child Studies

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)Brown v. Board of Education (1954) summary: the case, Chief Justice Warren's unanimous ruling, why 'separate but equal' fell, and what happened after.⚖️ Law Intestate SuccessionWho inherits when someone dies without a will: how U.S. intestacy statutes rank spouses, children and other relatives, how per stirpes works, and how Korea's Civil Act sets heirs, shares and representation.⚖️ Law The Rule of LawWhat is the rule of law? Its meaning and history from Magna Carta to United States v. Nixon, Dicey and Fuller's principles, and how it differs from rule by law.⚖️ Law Common Law vs. Civil LawCommon law vs. civil law: how the two legal families differ on sources of law, precedent, trials and judges, and where Korea's mixed system fits between them.⚖️ Law

This article was last updated on October 15, 2026. It is based on widely recognized original works and textbooks; when citing it in a paper, please check the original sources listed in the references.