Definition
Family narratives are the shared stories a family tells about itself — who we are, where we came from, what happened, what we do not talk about. They shape identity and behavior across generations.
Why it matters
Every family has narratives. Making them conscious allows them to be examined, honored, or updated.
The Science
Research on family stories (Fivush, Duke) shows that coherent, oscillating family narratives (with both hardship and endurance) correlate with adolescent well-being.
The NSI Perspective
NSI treats family narrative as one of the primary shapers of the individual nervous system’s self-concept.
Clinical Implications
Narrative work in family therapy is not decorative — it is one of the core mechanisms of change.
Practical Application
The story your family tells about you is not necessarily the story you must tell about yourself.
References
- 1.Duke MP, Lazarus A, Fivush R. Knowledge of family history as a clinically useful index of psychological well-being and prognosis. Psychotherapy. 2008;45(2):268–272.