VACATION AND FAMILY FUNCTIONING

This study explores the unique interplay of family vacation travel, family cohesion, and family communication through a sample of 265 family travelers. The results reveal that family vacation contributes positively to family bonding, communication and solidarity. Family interaction styles differ during the family leisure travel process. Two types of families are identified differing on the dimension of cohesion, corresponding to separated and connected families. Three types of families are identified differing on the dimension of adaptation, corresponding to flexible, confused and structured families. This research represents an attempt to use a unique theoretical framework to empirically assess family functioning in the leisure travel setting.