This unique volume presents the results of a study of 200 German families over a period of 16 years from 1976 to 1992. This study–the findings of which yield a host of new insights into the dynamics of cross-generational personality and family development–is based on an ecopsychological framework comprising four levels of developmental analyses: * individual level–personality development, critical life events, and corresponding coping strategies; * dyadic relationships level–changes in parent-child relationships across time and development of marital relationships; * family relationship level–development of family climate and its impact on current dyadic relationships; and * contextual/ecological level–perceived changes in societal conditions, corresponding patterns of personality and coping strategies. The authors focus on the important ideas and keep methodological details to a minimum in the text. Technical issues having to do with data analysis, etc., are discussed in an appendix.