A Conceptual Model for Strengthening Family Capabilities Through a Process of Care

Family capabilities shape the well-being of individuals and families, particularly in diverse sociocultural contexts. However, existing frameworks often fail to capture the complexities of family dynamics, particularly in South Africa. This limitation is addressed in this study by developing a new conceptual model, through an ethic of care lens, to understand family. A Human-Centered Design strategy is employed, utilizing workshops to gather and deductively interpret data. A sample of 53 participants is recruited from two communities in South Africa. The Listening Guide approach is used to analyze the data, alongside thematic analysis, to identify overarching themes. The findings reveal tangible needs (material and physical requirements), as well as intangible needs (emotional and psychological support). The relation between these needs and harms highlights how care is shaped in families. While families endeavor to meet intangible needs, many fail to communicate these intangible needs, which also leads to harm. This is exacerbated when the primary caregiver within the family, the ‘glue’, has needs for care that are not met. In addition, the findings reveal the interrelatedness of care in family dynamics among family members, and help to explore the boundaries, capacities, and capabilities of what families do and how they care.