This research focuses on ambivalence in family networks and presents a framework for investigating how triadic configurations, beyond specific dyads, may affect individual outcomes such as well-being. First, the paper introduces the ambivalent triad census, counting the frequencies of 18 non-isomorphic triads in which ties can be positive, negative, or ambivalent, in non-directed networks, and proposes the linear combinations of three theoretical mechanisms (ambivalent balance, diffusion of stress, divide and conquer) predicting how embeddedness in an ambivalent triad may affect individual well-being. Second, the ambivalent triad census is applied to 300 non-directed family networks, 150 stepfamilies and 150 first-time families, in which mothers reported about the relationships with and between family members. Results show that mothers embedded in triads exhibiting more ambivalent balance and less diffusion of stress score higher on social self-esteem. The study emphasizes the importance of studying ambivalence in higher-level relational structures, such as triads, in families.

这项研究侧重于家庭网络中的矛盾心理，并提出了一个框架，用于研究三元配置如何在特定的二元组之外影响个人结果，例如幸福感。首先，论文介绍了矛盾的三合会普查，计算无向网络中 18 个非同构三元组的频率，其中关系可以是正的、负的或矛盾的，并提出三种理论机制（矛盾平衡、压力扩散、分而治之）的线性组合，以预测如何嵌入矛盾的三合会可能会影响个人的幸福感。其次，对 300 个非定向家庭网络、150 个继亲家庭和 150 个初次家庭进行矛盾三合会普查，其中母亲报告了与家庭成员之间的关系。结果表明，嵌入三合会的母亲表现出更多的矛盾平衡和更少的压力扩散，在社会自尊方面得分更高。该研究强调了在更高层次的关系结构（例如三合会）中研究矛盾心理的重要性。