Reviews research documenting complex process in which macroeconomic and family demographic factors are associated with economic distress among individuals and families. Shows four components of economic distress--employment instability, employment uncertainty, economic deprivation, and economic strain--to be negatively related to individual…

Four major domains of research are underscored: family response to nonnormative events (e.g., wars, disasters, illness); response to normative transitions over the life span (e.g., parenthood, retirement); the importance of psychological resources and perceptions; and the importance of social support and coping with stress. (Author)

Presented at the National Council on Family Relations Annual Meeting, October, 1981, Milwaukee, WI. The creative response of households to boom-town stress is examined, indicating a significant amount of household-initiated future-oriented community building takes place under stress of rapid growth. (Author/JAC)