In order to further understand which types of family interactions help children to mature optimally, over one hundred fifty family groups were methodically interviewed and observed. Although seriously dysfunctional families tended to produce troubled children, no significant differences in adolescents' functioning could be found between children of "optimal" and of "competent but pained" families. "Optimal" families consisted of parents who could be very close to each other and to their children without sacrifice of individuality. These families were highly expressive of all feelings and these expressions were met with empathic responses. "Competent but pained" familiess shared some of these characteristics but differed in the quality of interaction between parents. There was less empathy and more unresolved conflict within the parental relationship.